Cirrus@Austlit

'Margaret Heffernan's desire, in telling this story, has been to pass on to her children and future generations of her family, the story of her life, a life in transition from traditional culture to a very different world that is still unfolding.' (Publication summary)

'The Western Arrarnta language, is spoken every day by about 1500 people in Central Australia. Most speakers live west of Alice Springs. Western Arrarnta -speaking communities include Ntaria (Hermannsberg), Gilbert Springs, Kulpitarra, Ipolera, Undarana, Wallace Rockhole, Red Sand Hill, and Ilmanta (Running Water).'

Source: Publisher's blurb.

'Anpernirrentye (un-BURN-erin-ja) is the system of family relationships that is at the heart of the culture of the Arrernte people of Central Australia. This book describes the ways family and culture have connected people to each other, to their land, and to their Dreamings since the time of creation. Because we are related in these ways, we treat each other with respect.

This is the first book to give a step-by-step introduction to the words and ideas in Arrernte ways of talking about family. It will be useful for everyone learning about Arrernte language and culture, for anyone wanting to work in a respectful way with Arrernte people, and anyone wanting to learn about Aboriginal cultures more generally.' (Source: back cover)

Kaytetye is an Aboriginal language from Central Australia. As well as a means of communication, the language is a storehouse of cultural and kinship knowledge, of ancestor stories and history. This landmark publication is the first comprehensive dictionary of the Kaytetye language; it is the result of many years' work by linguists working closely with native speakers.

The dictionary contains:

● the most extensive list of Kaytetye words and their meanings yet published

● more than 8,000 Kaytetye example sentences illustrating their use

● an extensive English finder list to enable Kaytetye words to be found quickly

● an introduction to the Kaytetye kinship system

● information about Kaytetye culture and beliefs

● extensive information about the flora and fauna found in Kaytetye country

● a map of Kaytetye country

● a guide to spelling and pronunciation

Source: www.iadpress.com (sighted 21/05/2012).

'This country anytime anywhere features writing from new and emerging Aboriginal writers from the length of the Northern Territory. This contemporary collection features eight Australian Aboriginal languages - some of them severely endangered - and is unsurpassed in its comprehensive representation of writers, subject matters and styles that share the powerful cultural, artistic, political and personal interests of these writers in the 21st century. Ranging from teenagers to elders, the writers come from diverse rural, urban and remote backgrounds...' (Source back cover)

'Margaret Kemarre Turner OAM is a proud mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. These responsible relationships are her primary motivation to document for younger Aboriginal people, alongside her student and alere Barry McDonald Perrurle, her cultured understanding of the deep and interwining roots that hold all Australian Aboriginal people: Because if people like me and the other grandmothers we don't teach them now, then they probably won't get much more chances to learn.

'Margaret Kemarre Turner was awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia in 1997, 'for service to the Aboriginal community of Central Australia, particularly through preserving language and culture, and interpreting'. With Iwenhe Tyerrtye, Margaret Kemarre lays the knowledge foundations for an enhanced and extended dialogue, so that 'two cultures can hold each other':

'You've gotte talk, and really analyse words...to really get a full meaning of it... You cannot say anything without doing that...And that's how many, many things we as Aboriginal people have never described. Because it's really hard to describe to others the picture that we've got in our head. If they can't see that good picture, then there's no answer. Sometimes non-Aboriginal people go away with no answer then, and we're left with no answer as well.

'Margaret Kemarre's knowledge comes through her own Akarre language, though it is in Arrernte that she shares this generous giving of her profound world view. The translations between Arrernte and English are facilitated through the respectful relationship she shares with her niece, Veronica Perrurle Dobson.' (Source: Publisher's blurb)

(Publication summary)

'Alyawarr language, is spoken every day by 1500 people in Central Australia. Most speakers live North – East of Alice Springs, spreading over the QLD border. Alyawarr -speaking communities include Awerrethel (Canteen Creek), Alepeyewenh (Hatches Creek), Epenarra, Ilperrelhelam (Lake Nash) and Mt Isa.'

Source: Publisher's blurb.

'Kaytetye is spoken at Barrow Creek, Artarre (Neutral Junction), Ilewarr (Stirling), Alekarenge (Ali Curung) and other communities in Central Australia. For Kaytetye people, their language is much more than a means of communication; it links them with their family, their country and their Dreamings. This learner's guide comes with two audio CDs which give clear, practical instruction in the basics of the Kaytetye language.' (Publication summary)

'This landmark book is the first comprehensive dictionary for Ngaanyatjarra and Ngaatjatjarra, which are dialects of the Western Desert language. Ngaanyatjarra and Ngaatjatjarra are similar and speakers understand each other without difficulty. Ngaanyatjarra and Ngaatjatjarra are spoken by approximately 1,400 people living in the central east of Western Australia adjacent to the borders of South Australia and the Northern Territory. The communities where the language is spoken are Warburton (Mirlirrtjarra), Jameson (Mantamaru), Blackstone (Papulankutja), Giles (Warakurna), Tjukurla, Wanarn, Patjarr Tjirrkarli, Cosmo Newbery and Laverton. This is an area situated between the Gibson Desert in the north and the Great Victoria Desert in the south. The Ngaanyatjarra and Ngaatjatjarra to Engli...' (Publication summary)

'Alec Kruger was stolen as a child from his family and his country. From this early time he knew the cold and harsh reality of institutions and not the caressing love of his mother or the warmth of other close relations. Still young, he was taken again – to the cattle stations of Central Australia where, even as a boy, he was expected to display all the independence and ingenuity of someone much older.'

'In isolation. Alec faced possible death, till the arrival of Old People from country who saved him, taught him and made him culturally strong.'

'Alec Kruger spent years droving and roaming throughout the Territory and Queensland, forever seeking his place in the world. He found a sense of belonging and somewhere to call home through having his own family and with the emergence and leadership of groups such as the Central Australian Stolen Generations and Families Aboriginal Corporation in the struggle of recognition, reconciliation and recompense.'

'Alone on the Soaks enhances our understanding of the diverse journeys of Australia’s stolen generations by offering readers intimate stories told in an original and valuable voice.' (Source: publishers blurb)