Aboriginal language book launched

Linguistics

The Kaurna language has been brought to life in a five-year project involving University of Adelaide linguist Dr Mary-Anne Gale.

Dr Gale's collaboration with Aunty Cherie Watkins of Kaurna Plains School and Jane Wilson of Soroptomist International has resulted in the publication of the Kaurna Alphabet Book, launched at the Elizabeth school on 31 October.

The book, with attached pronunciation CD, introduces the sounds and spellings of the Kaurna language through illustrative words, pictures and sound recordings. It is presented in an A5 format designed by Amy Milhinch and incorporates artwork by students from the Kaurna Plains School.

Basic expressions, place names and common words are included in the book, illustrated with photos which are complemented by the students' artwork. A colourful CD with sound files of Aunty Cherie's pronunciation is attached to the inside back cover.

Copies of the Kaurna Alphabet Book are available from Kaurna Plains School, the only Aboriginal school in Adelaide, and Tandanya, the National Aboriginal Cultural Institute in Grenfell Street. Kaurna is the indigenous language of the Adelaide Plains.

Dr Gale is a linguistics researcher in the Centre for European Studies and General Linguistics at the University of Adelaide.

Story by Candy Gibson