My name is Cassi and I am an Aboriginal woman.

I live on Gadigal/Wangal ngurra country, however, I descend from the Gugu Yalandji people and I also have ties to Yuin country. My connection to language is almost non-existent, I was not taught much about my traditional Indigenous culture as a child. Nonetheless it is important to me and I hope to one day learn my language. From my experience, there are many aspects of Indigenous life that cannot be expressed in English the same way they are in traditional languages. I like to think that those of us who are Indigenous and grew up in urban areas have almost our own way of communicating and connecting.

Language is extremely important to the wellbeing of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and provides us with a sense of belonging and empowerment.

Language is more than just a means of communication for First Nations Australians, it encompasses everything about life; law, history, relationships, religion, health, caring for country and more. Language is inextricably connected to cultural and spiritual identity. Today Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders have a range of different relationships to language. For some, their Indigenous language is their first language and they use it every day. For others, learning language is a way of reviving their culture.

The United Nations declared 2019 the International Year of Indigenous Languages.

This was integral in raising awareness about these languages and encouraging others to appreciate how these languages contribute to our world’s cultural diversity. It was also beneficial to Indigenous peoples as it assisted in preserving our community’s history, customs, and expression. Preservation and promotion of language is an essential part of Indigenous peoples’ human rights, protection, peace building, and reconciliation. It is important that we all continue to increase our understanding of Indigenous languages, create an environment to share knowledge, try to integrate Indigenous languages into our daily lives, and empower Indigenous peoples.

Prior to colonisation there were more than 250 Indigenous languages spoken in Australia.

Today, approximately 123 are spoken to various degrees. The most spoken language groups are the Arnhem Land and Daly River Region languages comprising of 16% of Australian Indigenous people who speak an Indigenous language at home. The strongest Indigenous language on the Queensland mainland is Wik Mungkan. It is spoken by about 1000 people as either a first or second language. Fortunately, AIATSIS has found that at least 31 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander language varieties are being revived by communities around Australia. An example of the resurgence of language is the arising of ‘new’ or ‘mixed’ languages from contact between traditional Indigenous languages and English. This may involve originally English words being pronounced differently, different grammatical structures, or the creation of new words.

As recorded in the 2016 census, 10% of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people mainly speak an Australian Indigenous language.

It is important to note that majority of First Nations people who are still using Indigenous language are over 25. This further emphasises the importance of community lead efforts towards cultural preservation and language transfer to younger generations.

Many Indigenous Australians do not have the same access to legal and medical care due to these language barriers. The access to these essential services can be improved by offering services in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander languages, by employing more interpreters and translators, and by improving the school curriculums.

Translating and interpreting improves access for Indigenous Australians to opportunities that may lie outside of their immediate community.

Supporting access to language interpreters in healthcare settings is a key strategy for detecting and preventing the progression of mental health issues and related problems. Currently, there are no tertiary institutions offering accredited courses in interpreting or translating in Indigenous languages. An important priority should be strengthening Indigenous communities through access to medical care, which may not be otherwise accessed if a translator/interpreter is not available. Jobs for people who speak both traditional language(s) and English allow speakers to be encouraged to better inform the community as well as government, schools, clinics, social services and police stations.

Furthermore, according to AIATSIS (2019), interpreting and translating Indigenous Australian languages provides significant economic, social, and intrinsic benefits to both individuals and communities. Speaking your Indigenous language is linked to feeling more socially connected and having a place in community. It is linked to having a higher emotional well-being and better mental health. Connecting with language also increases the probability of Indigenous peoples engaging in hunting, gathering, and fishing to provide food for community and families, as well as land and sea management.

The more we integrate Indigenous language into the wider Australian community, the more Indigenous students gain confidence at school and engage in further education.

Similarly, we see greater Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community pride, and both Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians gaining more respect for institutions that engage with these languages, leading to more business competitiveness. Speakers of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander languages are more likely to earn income from arts, crafts and cultural activities compared to English-only speakers, which also supports the Australian tourism industry. Evidently, preserving and utilising Indigenous language benefits all of us.

Additional Resources:

Indigenous languages map of Queensland: https://www.slq.qld.gov.au/discover/aboriginal-and-torres-strait-islander-cultures-and-stories/languages/queensland/indigenous-languages-map

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Population 2016: https://www.abs.gov.au/ausstats/abs@.nsf/Lookup/by%20Subject/2071.0~2016~Main%20Features~Aboriginal%20and%20Torres%20Strait%20islander%20Population%20Article~12

Wik Mungkan – English Interactive Dictionary: http://ausil.org/Dictionary/Wik-Mungkan/lexicon/mainintro.htm

Cassi is currently studying a Bachelor of Business at the University of Newcastle. She is doing a double major in Tourism Management and Human Resources Management. She started her internship with Translationz in July 2020 and is assisting in many areas of business operations.