Macquarie Aboriginal Words

There is an astonishing richness and variety in the many languages of Australia’s Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. This book gives a snapshot of a diverse selection from these languages – some of them still alive and developing vigorously, others already lost to the past. ‘This book is much needed, as it gives a sense of the richness of a heritage which is disappearing in many areas of the country, and which will ultimately be lost if its instrinsic value is not soon appreciated by all Australians. I expect that the Sydney Opera House can be rebuilt by future generations and that the Rock will stand for millennia to come. But the original languages of this land may well go for good if we do not value these true voices that speak for the people, the land and the culture. Macquarie are to be commended for this brilliant production.

Introduction describing characteristics of Australian languages and relationship to kinship systems, address list of language centres, each language chapter has introduction, notes on wordlist, spelling and pronunciation, grammar and extensive wordlist in 26 or more categories; language index and English index; chapters annotated separately.

pp. 724 OUT OF PRINT and SCARCE #0820