Search continues for apprentice language masters

One local lady is on a mission to save Aboriginal languages from extinction, and she is rallying the rest of the community to help with her quest.

Julie Walker is the manager of Wangka Maya Pilbara Aboriginal Language Centre, and has been facilitating workshops called Master-Apprentice training.

The language rejuvenation program was developed in California, and focuses on immersion – it uses repetitive learning techniques to teach speakers to engage ‘dead’ languages from recordings and become fluent in other ‘endangered’ and ‘dominant’ languages.

The training forms part of a desperate bid to implement a full-time Aboriginal language program in the Pilbara before all 31 languages die out.

“We need to have it be ongoing but we need a lot of support,” Ms Walker said.

“We’re trying to get some funding to keep it maintained in the community...(the language) has to be used in the homes.”

The Pilbara has 31 indigenous languages, which are all at different levels of retention.

According to Ms Walker, one third of the 31 languages are already “dead”, another third are “endangered” and only five or six are dominant or strong.

Ms Walker said dead languages had been successfully reintroduced in the past.

“The Noongar language for example – that was a dead language – and now there are quite a few speakers, they have revitalised their language and they learnt it as adults,” she said.

“When people were wiped out and children were removed from their families and put in institutions that’s when languages were wiped out.”

Ms Walker said the Master-Apprentice training program was not only about teaching language, but also making the community aware local languages were fragile and could easily disappear.

“Even though the Banyjima Language is one of the spoken and strong languages there is still only a handful of people who are speaking it fluently,” she said.

“Most language groups only have small numbers of people…and that’s why there is a lot of pressure on those surviving members of those language groups– there’s maybe only 200 people left speaking that language, we need to make some effort.

“Language describes everything for you, it’s your identity, and who you are, language teaches you important indigenous knowledge and skills, so through your language you learn where your land is and where your country is, you learn the names of animals and plants.”

Anyone interested in learning more about regional languages or the Master-Apprentice training program can call Julie Walker on 9172 2344.