← Return to Endangered Words
When Europeans first colonised Australia, there were between 350 and 750 distinct Aboriginal languages or dialects. Now there are fewer than 200 languages remaining, and all but about 20 are on the endangered list — this is largely a result of two centuries of neglect and active suppression of Aboriginal language and culture. Many white Australians are completely ignorant of the rich linguistic heritage of Australia.
When languages die much is lost. Languages are a storehouse of storytelling and wisdom, and an important part of cultural identity. However, it’s not just the stories and songs that get lost when a language dies out. Each language has its own unique shape – the grammar and vocabulary of a language say a lot about the thought patterns and priorities of the people who speak it. Aboriginal languages are radically different in structure to English, emphasising areas such as kinship and location in a way that is almost impossible to express in European languages.
Many Aboriginal communities are actively working to revitalise their languages, through education programs and development of language resources. One important way of increasing awareness of Indigenous languages is through music. For many young people, hearing or even learning a song in their ancestral language can be the first step towards learning the language. For others, songs can at least create an awareness that the language is still alive and worthy of preservation.
In 1983 The Warumpi Band recorded Jailanguru Pakarnu in the Luritja language to great acclaim. This was the first rock song ever recorded in an Aboriginal language. Since then many Aboriginal bands have chosen to perform songs in language, even though most of their audience may not understand the lyrics. Singing in language not only raises awareness, but is a strong political statement, of identity.
Both Nardi Simpson and Kaleena Briggs of Stiff Gins recently started writing songs in language as part of a process of rediscovery of their own ancestral languages. Kaleena has written Yandul in the Wiradjuri language, while Nardi’s song Blood Lines contains lines in Yuwaalaraay.
Some Aboriginal artists who sing in language:
- The Warumpi Band and George Rrurrambu (Gumatj, Luritja and Kriol languages)
- Frank Yamma (Pitjantjatjara language)
- Stiff Gins (Wiradjuri and Yuwaalaraay languages)
- Yothu Yindi (Gumatj language)
- Saltwater Band (Gumatj language)
- Narbalek (Kunwinjku language)
- Letterstick Band (Burrara language)
