LANGUAGE
Language plays an important role in sustaining and enriching a community.
1
WHY ARE THERE DIFFERENT SPELLINGS OF THE SAME WORDS?
There is no single accepted way of spelling Indigenous words. Indeed, Jukambal is variously written as: Jukambil, Ukumbil, Ucumble, Yacambal, Yugambeh, Yookumbul, Yookumbil, Yookumbill, Yoocumbill, Yookumble, Yoocomble, Yukambal, Yukumbul, Yukumbil, Yukumba.
Indigenous Australian Languages were shared orally, not written. This means that the words we read were generally first written by English-speakers using their own alphabet, then written again by others, hence the variability in spelling. To get a basic understanding of Australian Aboriginal languages, visit the Wikipedia page.
2
HOW MANY LANGUAGES ARE/WERE SPOKEN IN THE HIGHLANDS?
We don't know how many distinct First Nations peoples there were before colonisation, but estimates put it in the hundreds. Most had their own language or dialect. In what is now known as Northern NSW, the land was home to Gamilaraay, the Yugambeh–Bundjalung languages, Jukambal, Ngarbal, and Marbal. Head to the website of the Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies to learn about how these are still living languages.
To find books on the Jukambal people and language, click here.
3
WHAT HAPPENED TO FIRST NATION LANGUAGES IN AUSTRALIA?
The following is from Deborah Kikkawa, Department of Social Services: "For the majority of the period since white colonisation of Australia, various policies have had the effect of subverting Indigenous Australian languages. Consequently many Indigenous languages have been lost and many others are in danger of being lost. Although attitudes have changed in the last 50 or 60 years, Australia remains a mono-linguistic country.
While speaking an Indigenous language is no longer frowned upon, it is still a struggle for speakers of some languages to use their language and thereby ensure its continuation into the future."
Yaama,
My name is Shane Levy and I am a Jukambal Elder
This is my voice you'll be hearing while practicing traditional language. I was not taught my language when I was young, so I am trying to learn it today. I welcome feedback on pronounciation, so please get in touch. These recordings were done out on country so you'll hear some of the evening wildlife if you listen closely. You ready? Let's get started.
