Introduction to Australian indigenous languages: A chat with Karla Zuluaga (Part 1)

There are over 250 indigenous languages in Australia, but most Australians know very little (if anything at all) about them. There is important work being done around the country to document, revitalise, revive and share the languages which have existed in Australia since long before colonisation, but if you’re like us and you want to know more - where does one even begin?

In this episode of Language Chats, we speak with linguist Karla Zuluaga who gives us an introduction to Australian indigenous languages and their current context, based on her studies, knowledge and experience to date. We chat about learning about indigenous languages as a non-indigenous person, language revitalisation and revival in indigenous communities, and bringing indigenous languages into education. This chat was so interesting that we spoke for longer than our usual episode length, so we’ve split our discussion with Karla into two parts - the remainder will follow in Episode 43!

Karla is an aspiring linguist and a lifelong learner. She holds a Bachelor of International Studies, Bachelor of Arts in Linguistics and Anthropology and a Master of International Public Diplomacy. She has studied over 10 languages from around the world to varying levels of proficiency. Karla has a special interest in endangered languages and is pursuing a career in language revitalisation.

This episode starts with an acknowledgment of country in both Darkinjung and English.

Would you like to share your knowledge of Australian indigenous languages with us? Or is there a particular topic regarding indigenous languages that you’d like to know more about? Get in touch - we’d love to hear from you.

Episode Links

• Women In Language
• UNESCO Atlas of the World's Languages in Danger
• Darkinjung Aboriginal Land Council
• Indigenous language programs: Charles Sturt University, Charles Darwin University, Curtin University
• edX course: Noongar Language and Culture (Curtin University)
• Language Death by David Crystal
• AIATSIS - Living Languages

Show notes and all the episode links available at our website - Language Lovers AU

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