The Kunwinjku Language Project (KLP) has been running for 3 years and is based in western Arnhem Land.
Kunwinjku is one of a number of related dialects of the same language linked in a dialect chain spoken in communities from the Liverpool and Mann River districts in the east, across the Arnhem Land Plateau in the centre, and to Kakadu National Park in the west. This project will work with speakers from a variety of these dialects, some of which (e.g. Kundedjnjenghmi and Gundjeihmi) are seriously endangered.
Our project aims to record, document, transcribe and archive the Kunwinjku-related dialects. More specially, this project aims to increase the use of Indigenous dialects in a range of fields and media, it aims to increase public appreciation of these dialects, and, through training and experience, to support the development of community organisations.
This project is community-driven, has created employment for local men and women, and has created training opportunities including training in translation, filming, recording oral histories, and more. Community-based people are working with experienced anthropologists and linguists to produce outcomes of relevance to the west Arnhem Land region. This team is itself guided and strongly supported by community elders and Senior Traditional Owners who wish to see the younger members of their community incorporating bininj (local Indigenous)languages into their day to day life.
Staff
 Ngaye Donna Nadjamerrek nga-ngeyyo dja ngaye kunwok project officer nga-rrurrkmirri Kunwinjku Kunwok Project. Ngaye Ngal-ngarridj dja ngal-mok kunmokurrkurr ngarduk kore Kabulwarnamyo kun-red ngarduk bad Kunbarlanja ngah-ni. Nga-karrme 4 wurdurd, Lorraine Kabinidi White (18), Jai Nabulwad (13), Tahnee Nabulwad (12), dja Timikar Johnson (4). Ngal-wernwarre ngalbu Lorraine, school ka-re kore Melbourne dja birri-buyika konda Kunbarlanja kabirrih-ni. Ngaye course nga-kadjung kore Batchelor College, Diploma of Interpreting. Korroko nga-yakwong Certificate of Office Administration Batchelor-beh warridj. Nga-djare mahni kun-wok project nga-kimukwon dja ngaben-djawan dabbarrabbolk dja wurdurd nawu Kunwinjku kabirri-wokdi ba bu ngarri-djarrkdurrkmirri kun-wokken ngadberre. Ngarri-djare wanjh kun-wok dja man-karre ngadberre minj ka-yakmen ka-djale munguyh.
My name is Donna Nadjamerrek and I am a language project officer and started in February with the KLP. I am Ngalnarridj and a Ngalmok woman from Kabulwamayo in western Arnhem Land but I live in Gunbalanya today. I have 4 children – Lorraine Kabinidi White (she will be 18 in May), Jai Nabulwad (he is 13), Tahnee Nabulwad (she is 12), and Timikar Johnson (she turned 4 in February). My kids are living with me in Gunbalanya and Lorraine is schooling in Melbourne in Victoria. This year I started a course at Batchelor Institute doing a Diploma of Interpreting. I have a Certificate of Office Administration from Batchelor as well. I have a vision to grow this project and to involve many community people - elders and other adults and kids of all ages. I would like a lot of support and effort from community people to help with this project and to maintain the language and culture in our community.
Partners
The West Arnhem Shire Council
Injalak Arts and Crafts Association
The Australian Government
The Australian National University
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