Promoting Central Australian Aboriginal languages this December

We’re work­ing with the Batch­e­lor Insti­tute and part­ners across Alice Springs to present two free events cel­e­brat­ing and pro­mot­ing the rich Abo­rig­i­nal lan­guages of Cen­tral Aus­tralia in ear­ly December.

These events aim to sup­port com­mu­ni­ty-led lan­guage revi­tal­i­sa­tion efforts, fos­ter aware­ness of these unique and beau­ti­ful lan­guages, and encour­age inno­va­tion in teach­ing and pre­serv­ing them.

The activ­i­ties are tak­ing place along­side a lan­guage con­sul­ta­tion ask­ing Indige­nous Cen­tral Aus­tralian com­mu­ni­ties to have their say on plans for a new Indige­nous Lan­guage Cen­tre in this region. Those who par­tic­i­pat­ed are being invit­ed to a Lan­guage Forum on Decem­ber 3, a plat­form to review the con­sul­ta­tion data and finalise rec­om­men­da­tions for a report to the Indige­nous Lan­guages and Arts (ILA) program.

Led by DKA, this ini­tia­tive is part of ongo­ing efforts to ensure the pro­posed Cen­tre will meet local needs.

While the forum is invite-only, the fol­low­ing events from 3 – 4 Decem­ber are open to everyone:

Decem­ber 3: Show­cas­ing Local Films in Abo­rig­i­nal Languages

Time: 6:00 – 9:00 PM
Loca­tion: CAA­MA Radio

Join us for a Lan­guage Film Night cel­e­brat­ing the Abo­rig­i­nal lan­guages of Cen­tral Aus­tralia. This free, fam­i­ly-friend­ly event offers:

• Screen­ings of short films show­cas­ing local lan­guages, cater­ing to audi­ences of all ages.
• A free BBQ, stalls, and door prizes.

Event details:

• Entry via CAA­MA carpark, South Terrace.
• Park­ing avail­able at Alice Springs Town Council.
• Strict­ly no alco­hol permitted.

This event is host­ed by CAA­MA, Alice Springs Town Coun­cil, Batch­e­lor Insti­tute, the Cen­tre for Aus­tralian Lan­guages and Lin­guis­tics, and DKA.

Decem­ber 4: Let’s Talk Lan­guage: Pod­cast­ing Work­shop and Christ­mas Lunch

Time: 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Loca­tion: Batch­e­lor Func­tion Room, Desert Knowl­edge Precinct

Batch­e­lor Insti­tute’s Let’s Talk Lan­guage ini­tia­tive, a new month­ly lan­guage meet-up, invites par­tic­i­pants to a work­shop on using pod­casts as tools for lan­guage teach­ing and preser­va­tion. Cel­e­brate the final meet­ing of 2024 with a fes­tive Christ­mas Lunch.

These events are part of ongo­ing efforts to raise aware­ness, pro­mote col­lab­o­ra­tion, and dri­ve inno­va­tion in pre­serv­ing the lan­guages that form the heart of Cen­tral Aus­trali­a’s cul­tur­al heritage.

No need to reg­is­ter, just turn up. We look for­ward to see­ing you there!

For more infor­ma­tion, con­tact camille.​dobson@​batchelor.​edu.​au