Revitalisation of an Australian Aboriginal language : archival utterances as scaffolding for independent adult language learning

Abstract

Increasingly, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities are seeking to maintain, revitalise and reawaken their traditional languages. In contexts where there are few fluent speakers of the languages or few learning resources, this can present particular challenges. The goal of this thesis is to investigate how adult community members can be supported towards greater independence as language learners and teachers in their communities. This was explored in the context of Jilkminggan, a remote Aboriginal community in the western area of the Northern Territory, 135 km south-east of Katherine. A design-based methodology was adopted to investigate learning in its natural context, involving community members in resource creation across several iterations and allowing for a more collaborative approach to the research. The research was conducted in three phases. In Phase 1 informal discussions were held with community members, including Elder Sheila Conway and representatives of the Jilkminggan Community Aboriginal Corporation, concerning their aspirations for learning and revitalisation of Mangarrayi. The project which developed in light of these discussions centred on the use of a bank of Mangarrayi utterances or 'chunks' "" termed Chunkbank "" captured from archival audio recordings to support development of everyday communication in Mangarrayi for younger adult learners. In Phase 2, in line with a design-based approach, three studies were conducted to provide baseline information informing the development of tasks and resources in Phase 3. Study 1 established topics and language functions of importance to Jilkminggan community members. Study 2 provided insights into the current uses of digital technology at Jilkminggan and its potential to support language learning. Study 3 provided an opportunity to observe the degree to which community members could understand and capture Mangarrayi archival audio chunks. This research provides evidence of existing capacity amongst younger adult Jilkminggan community members to drive learning and resource creation. The use of digital resources, in addition to face-to face learning from speaker Sheila Conway, the rekindled knowledge of older community members, and external linguistic, metalinguistic and pedagogic expertise, can help develop language knowledge and skills to build on this capacity. This provides a possible model for sustainable revitalisation of other Aboriginal languages in a similar context.

Date of Award	2019
Original language	English