Archive for July, 2007
Thursday, July 26th, 2007
Sorry Day
I learned of another aspect of Australian indigenous culture today, something that I’m sure many of you Australianist linguists (and indeed anyone that works in communities) have no doubt known about for many years, but it’s something I’ve fortunately never experienced before. I’m referring to a Sorry Day. I don’t mean the sort of Sorry [...]
6 Comments » - Posted in Culture,Indigenous,Linguistics by jangari
Thursday, July 26th, 2007
“With the Greatest Respect”
As if it weren’t bad enough that the Borroloola community was denied justice by the Territory government in a decision to retroactively change the legislation that prevented Xstrata and McArthur River Mine (MRM) from turning the McArthur River zinc mine site into an open-cut operation. As if it weren’t bad enough that the bill was [...]
No Comments » - Posted in Culture,Environment,Indigenous by jangari
Monday, July 23rd, 2007
In other news…
…There’s been very little action here of late with the Brough plan. There was a rumour last week that the army were headed here, but we haven’t seen anything as yet. They really want to know if they’re considered one of the 60 (or however many there are) communities, because if they are, they might reconsider [...]
8 Comments » - Posted in Indigenous,The Intervention by jangari
Monday, July 23rd, 2007
A touch of syntax
I’m getting quite solid into analysing the syntax of Wagiman verbs now, after a few weeks of collecting good data. I’ve taught myself how to use Toolbox (only rudimentarily though¹) and have been using it to interlinearise my transcribed sentences. I’ve discovered that Toolbox is a very powerful piece of software for linguists, as long [...]
4 Comments » - Posted in Languages,Linguistics by jangari
Sunday, July 8th, 2007
Arrandic or Yolngic?
This is from the inside cover of the Ampe Akelyernemane Meke Mekarle report of a few weeks ago: Title The title “Ampe Akelyernemane Meke Mekarle” is derived from the Arrandic languages of the Central Desert Region of the Northern Territory. It is pronounced Ump-ah Ah-kil-yurn-a-man Mu-kar-Mu-karl. Quote The title quote In our Law children are very [...]
3 Comments » - Posted in Indigenous,Languages by jangari
Saturday, July 7th, 2007
It’s the Land Rights Act, Stupid!
During the week, MLA for Daly, Rob Knight, visited the community here to explain the federal government’s initiatives and plans in straightforward terms. I always try at least to be healthily sceptical whenever listening to a politician. In spite of how much I still favour his party’s policies over the federal government’s, recent resources-related issues have made me bitter towards [...]
No Comments » - Posted in History,Indigenous,Politics,The Intervention by jangari
Thursday, July 5th, 2007
On Farts and Burps
I’ve been here for well over a week now, and I can’t say I’m quite jubilant about how things have been going thus far, especially last week. Although, I suppose it makes it difficult when there’s a total of 5 speakers that I’ve ever met. Adding to that the fact that one of them has [...]
