Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Languages

Editor: David Nathan

Update 2024

This site is no longer current and is not being updated. Since 2016, happily, the number of online sources of knowledge about Australian Indigenous languages exploded in number and diversity of sources, especially from Indigenous organisations and individuals. As a result, it became impossible to keep ALoA up to date. It is no longer a key resource.

As the main web portal for Australian Aboriginal languages on the web (part of Tim Berners-Lee’s official W3C Virtual Library (now defunct at https://www.vlib.org/ - see its history) this site provided summaries, guidance and links to quality resources on Aboriginal languages, especially those produced from communities and by community members. It was listed in most of the major international libraries and other institutions as a key site for Australian languages, and attracted over 500,000 hits a year.

Approximately half of the linked sites still exist and the site’s back-end database remains valuable because it contains data which tracks 20 years of the emergence, expansion and changes in the online presence of Australian First Nations languages from the birth of the web.

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RESULTS: 23 ITEMS FOR LANGUAGE Yolngu

Bachelor of Indigenous Languages and Linguistics (BILL)

Source: Charles Darwin University

The course provides Indigenous and non-Indigenous students with theoretical and practical knowledge and skills to engage in culturally informed language work, in particular the maintenance, reclamation and revitalisation of Australian Indigenous languages. It includes units in general descriptive and theoretical linguistics, sociolinguistics with particular reference to language and identity, language endangerment and language revitalisation, language planning and policy in relation to Australian Indigenous languages, practical application of linguistic study such as language teaching materials, how languages are embedded within diverse cultural context and cultural ownership, and acc

http://stapps.cdu.edu.au/f?p=100:31:1313441569640930::::P31_SEARCH_COURSE:BILL

This is the date when the item first appeared in this virtual library. It may have been changed or updated since then.06/08/2015

 

Bloodland

Source: Stephen Page, Wayne Blair & Kathy Balngayngu Marika

A play about life in Arnhem Land, performed in the Yolngu language and "snatches of Pidgin English". Was performed by the Sydney Theatre Company.

http://meanjin.com.au/blog/post/review-bloodland/

This is the date when the item first appeared in this virtual library. It may have been changed or updated since then.15/05/2012

 

Computer Databases and Aboriginal Knowledge

Source: Michael Christie

The author argues that digital forms like databases and metadata are not culturally neutral; they typically opaquely encode assumptions about structure and representation, and how one interacts with them. By revealing these assumptions, Yolngu (Aboriginal) forms of knowledge and literacy can be applied to database design and deployment; however ‘long term, deeply negotiated and collaborative processes where questions of the nature, politics and creation of knowledge remain central.’

http://www.cdu.edu.au/centres/ik/pdf/CompDatAbKnow.pdf

This is the date when the item first appeared in this virtual library. It may have been changed or updated since then.06/08/2015

 

Dha?u (Wangurri) Dictionary

Source: ARDS

Background information and 900-word dictionary of the Dha?u languages of Yol?u matha -- (Wangurri, G

http://www.ards.com.au/365_docs/attachments/protarea/Dhan-2933791b.pdf

This is the date when the item first appeared in this virtual library. It may have been changed or updated since then.10/11/2015

 

Dictionary of Anatomy: Dh

Source: ARDS

A dictionary of anatomy (the human body) in Yol?u Matha and English. Has extensive definitions in Yol?u Matha; also contains information on polite word choices.

http://www.ards.com.au/dictionary/healthdictionary/lexicon/main.htm

This is the date when the item first appeared in this virtual library. It may have been changed or updated since then.10/11/2015

 

Djarimirri - Gurrumul Yunupingu

Source: Geoffrey Gurrumul Yunupingu

Live acoustic solo of Gurrumul's international hit song in Gumay, a Yolngu language. (YouTube video)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bawDFY8G-o4

This is the date when the item first appeared in this virtual library. It may have been changed or updated since then.13/11/2011

 

e-Baibul: Bible Text in Australian Aboriginal Languages

Source: Summer Institute of Linguistics (AuSIL)

Bible texts for 14 languages. These are provided by the Summer Institute of Linguistics (in Australia branded as AuSIL) as a "ministry tool" but made openly accessible. Includes text, audio (note, some spoken by non-Aboriginal persons), concordances, and downloadable software.

http://aboriginalbibles.org.au/

This is the date when the item first appeared in this virtual library. It may have been changed or updated since then.10/04/2015

 

English - Dha?u Wordlist

Source: ARDS

English wordlist for the Dha?u Dictionary.

http://www.ards.com.au/365_docs/attachments/protarea/Engl-627ee629.pdf

This is the date when the item first appeared in this virtual library. It may have been changed or updated since then.10/11/2015

 

English - Yol?u Matha Legal Dictionary

Source: ARDS/Aboriginal Interpreter Service/North Australian Aboriginal Justice Agency

A downloadable PDF containing detalled descriptions and translations of legal terms in plain English and in Yol?u Matha.

http://www.ards.com.au/365_docs/attachments/protarea/ARDS-801c8750.pdf

This is the date when the item first appeared in this virtual library. It may have been changed or updated since then.10/11/2015

 

Glottolog: Language: Gupapuyngu

Source: Glottolog

Glottolog’s resource page for Gupapuyngu, a Yolngu language of NT. The page shows Gupapuyngu’s location on a map, its place within its language family, and a large number of references for the language (most are harvested from bibliographic sources and the items are not necessarily online). See also the main Glottolog page.

http://glottolog.org/resource/languoid/id/gupa1247

This is the date when the item first appeared in this virtual library. It may have been changed or updated since then.06/08/2015

 

Gupapuyngu

Source: Yolngu people / Yasunori Hayashi

Site with a range of information about Yolngu culture, language, placenames, and about 30 songs. The whole site may be viewed in Yolngu matha, English, or Japanese. Note: the media may require browser plugins.

http://www.gupapuyngu.com/wegupa.html

This is the date when the item first appeared in this virtual library. It may have been changed or updated since then.06/08/2015

 

Indigenous Knowledge and Resource Management in Northern Australia: Making Collective Memory with Computers

Source: Michael Christie / Helen Verran / Waymamba Gaykamangu

This project ran from 2003-6 and investigated ‘digital systems which support indigenous people building collective memory’ with a focus on Yolngu peoples. See in particular the publications page for a large number of interesting papers about digital technologies and Aboriginal knowledge.

http://www.cdu.edu.au/centres/ik/ikhome.html

This is the date when the item first appeared in this virtual library. It may have been changed or updated since then.06/08/2015

 

Indigenous Language News Radio

Source: ABC / Aboriginal Interpreter Service

The ABC, with the help of the Aboriginal Interpreter Service (NT), is trialling an Indigenous language News Service in Warlpiri and Yolngu Matha. Two ABC news bulletins are recorded each weekday. The daily bulletins can be heard on this page, with recent bulletins on SoundCloud, and on some Indigenous radio stations.

http://www.abc.net.au/news/indigenous/

This is the date when the item first appeared in this virtual library. It may have been changed or updated since then.06/08/2015

 

Language use dispute becomes a one-way street

Source: ABC/Alyssa Betts

The community of Galiwin'ku on Elcho Island want to use their language’s spelling system to write street signs and their own names. Their language, Yol?u matha (Yolngu language), has a small number of letters not used in standard English (but which are perfectly available in all writing technologies, since they are part of the International Unicode standard). Community members believe their language is being snubbed and weakened, while the NT Place Names Committee argue that only standard English can be used, despite claiming to support a Dual Naming Policy.

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-04-03/elcho-island-street-names-dispute/4607908

This is the date when the item first appeared in this virtual library. It may have been changed or updated since then.10/10/2015

 

The Mulka Project

Source: Buku-Larrnggay Mulka Centre, Yirrkala

Beautifully produced audio and video of performances by various artists, in Yolngu languages.

http://www.mulka.org/themulkaproject

This is the date when the item first appeared in this virtual library. It may have been changed or updated since then.11/07/2011

 

Twelve Canoes

Source: Indigemedia Inc, Christensen Fund, South Australian Film Corporation and Screen Australia

The award winning movie Twelve Canoes,directors Rolf de Heer and Peter Djigirr and starring members of the Ramingining community, speaking various Yolngu languages (see Wikipedia entry for more details . You can choose to view in either Yolngu or English. There are additional support materials, a study guide etc.

http://www.12canoes.com.au/

This is the date when the item first appeared in this virtual library. It may have been changed or updated since then.11/07/2011

 

Yirrkala bark petitions (1963)

Source: Yirrkala residents/Museum of Australian Democracy

Image of famous petition now in Australian Parliament House. See also Bark petitions: Indigenous art and reform for the rights of Indigenous Australians.

http://foundingdocs.gov.au/item-sdid-100.html

This is the date when the item first appeared in this virtual library. It may have been changed or updated since then.13/11/2011

 

Yolngu Languages and Culture

Source: Charles Darwin University

The University teaches tertiary level units in Yolngu languages and culture. Advisors to course design and delivery include senior Yolngu people from Darwin, Milingimbi, Galiwin'ku, Yirrkala, Gapuwiyak, and Ramingining. Course including Introduction to Yolngu Languages and Culture, and Yolngu Matha conversation can be taken by distance education using the WWW.

http://learnline.cdu.edu.au/yolngustudies/study.htm

This is the date when the item first appeared in this virtual library. It may have been changed or updated since then.20/01/1998

 

Yolngu Studies

Source: Charles Darwin University, School of Indigenous Knowledges and Public Policy

A place for Yol?u and Balanda to learn about Yol?u life and language. Has links to research and courses. See also Yolngu Studies and Research.

http://learnline.cdu.edu.au/yolngustudies/

This is the date when the item first appeared in this virtual library. It may have been changed or updated since then.20/01/1998

 

Yolngu Matha

Source: ARDS

Online purchase of publications for learning Gupapuyngu. ARDS (Aboriginal Resource and Development Services) is an arm of the Northern Regional Council of Congress of the Uniting Church.

http://www.ards.com.au/langresources.htm

This is the date when the item first appeared in this virtual library. It may have been changed or updated since then.18/11/2001

 

Yolngu Matha Dictionary

Source: Charles Darwin University

Innovative dictionary covering most of the Yolngu languages and providing a variety of search methods, including Fuzzy Search, Filter Find, and English Finderlist. Many of the Yolngu words have audio pronunciation.

http://yolngudictionary.cdu.edu.au/

This is the date when the item first appeared in this virtual library. It may have been changed or updated since then.06/08/2015

 

Yolngu Radio

Source: ARDS

A community radio station broadcast in the languages of the Yolngu people, to six communities and 30 homelands in northeast Arnhem Land, Darwin and Palmerston. In many of the homelands Yolngu radio is the only freely available media provider.

http://www.ards.com.au/pages/About-Yol%26%23331%3Bu-Radio.html

This is the date when the item first appeared in this virtual library. It may have been changed or updated since then.10/11/2015

 

Yothu Yindi on the Web

Source: Yothu Yindi

One of the oldest Aboriginal sites on the Web. Hear song clips and greetings from Mandawuy Yunupingu in his language Gumatj .

http://www.YothuYindi.com

This is the date when the item first appeared in this virtual library. It may have been changed or updated since then.14/01/1998