Issue Details: First known date: 2011... 2011 The Nyoongar Legacy : The Naming of the Land and the Language of Its People
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AbstractHistoryArchive Description

'This book has a lexicon of over 300 meanings of Aboriginal place names in Perth and Western Australia's south-west from Geraldton to Esperance - places which have retained the names given by Aboriginal people long before Anglo-European settlement. There is also an extensive introduction to the Nyoongar people.

The book also includes a comprehensive dictionary of the Nyoongar language as an aid to restoring and renewing the language. "Nyoongar was traditionally a purely oral language," said Abbot Bernard, "and there are very few people today who speak it fluently. It is in real danger of disappearing and needs to be actively promoted." He explained that, while there are Nyoongar dictionaries already available, they lack uniformity and a consistent spelling system.

Working together during the 1980s, representatives of the south-west Indigenous people, university linguists and Abbot Bernard created an authorised system of spelling known as the Marribank orthography. The Nyoongar Legacy employs this and provides one of the most comprehensive and 'user friendly' dictionaries of the language yet published.' Source: www.newnorcia.wa.edu.au/ (Sighted 28/10/2011)

Notes

  • On 15 September 2011, Abbot Bernard Rooney's book, The Nyoongar Legacy : The Naming of the Land and the Language of its People, was launched in the monastery parlour by Abbot John Herbert
  • Contains: Nyoongar - English dictionary.

Publication Details of Only Known VersionEarliest 2 Known Versions of

    • Batchelor, Batchelor - Katherine area, Top End, Northern Territory,: Batchelor Press , 2011 .
      Extent: 144p.
      Description: illus., maps
      Note/s:
      • Includes bibliographical references.
      • First published in 2011 by Batchelor Press for the Benedictine Community of New Norcia Inc. and the Noongar Language Project.
      ISBN: 9781741312324 (pbk.)

Works about this Work

New Books Hlelp Noongar Language Grow Stronger Christine Bond , 2011 single work review
— Appears in: National Indigenous Times , 21 September vol. 10 no. 235 2011; (p. 44)

— Review of The Nyoongar Legacy : The Naming of the Land and the Language of Its People Bernard Rooney , 2011 reference ; Nyoongar Dictionary Bernard Rooney , 2011 reference
New Books Hlelp Noongar Language Grow Stronger Christine Bond , 2011 single work review
— Appears in: National Indigenous Times , 21 September vol. 10 no. 235 2011; (p. 44)

— Review of The Nyoongar Legacy : The Naming of the Land and the Language of Its People Bernard Rooney , 2011 reference ; Nyoongar Dictionary Bernard Rooney , 2011 reference
Last amended 4 May 2017 17:54:19
Subjects:
  • Aboriginal Noongar AIATSIS: languages. AIATSIS ref. (W41) (WA SI50) language
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