Looking after language: the Duke goes back to uni
KJ’s applied linguist, Duke (Garry Earl-Spurr), recently visited the University of Western Australia (UWA) to give a seminar about KJ’s work — in particular, about KJ’s language program.
He spoke to the audience about where Martu are from, and about how Martu are still looking after the languages they belong to the “right-way”.
He spoke about what partnership really means for us — about how, having understood one another together, we’re all continually learning.
He spoke about the Martu philosophy of “kanyirninpa” and how us kartiya (non-Aboriginal people) come from a very different culture and can often be very uncertain and at times ignorant, but about how Martu kindly look after us while we work together.
“Everyone was listening very closely and learnt how Martu are looking after their own languages. Everyone enjoyed the talk” said Duke, “We’re happy to report that KJ has some good friends over at the UWA now!”
For those practicing their Martu Wangka:
Universitymaluwanarringu-jananya Dukepa kuwarri-kuwarri wangkangu-jananya. Wangkangu KJku, languageprogramku.
Wajarnu-jananya, wanyjajanu-nyurra Martukaja yilta ngurrara walyjajanu. Wajarnu-jananya, wanyjalju-nyurra martulu jungalu wangka walyja kanyirninpa yilta.
Kujungkarrinyjaku wangkangu – wanyjalpa-langku kujungka ngaparrku-ngaparrku kulira nintirrinpa.
Kanyirninyjaku wangkangu. Wajarnu-jananya, wanyjalpa-laju kartiyakaja kujupa-kujupangulyu kulirninpa, wanyjalpa-laju kartiyakuyarra ngurrpangulyu. Wanyjalju-lanyajunyurra Martulu karratanyjulu kanyirninpa.
Kintilungulyu-luya kulilpayi Universitymalulu, kinti-raya juku-juku nintirringu wangka kanyinyjaku jungaku. Pukurlarringu-yaminyirri. Marlpa-lampaya kuwarrijanu nyininpa nyarra Universityngka KJmaluku ngayunkajaku!
