Introduction to the Kaurna languageIntroduction to the Kaurna language‘Strategies’ workshop‘Strategies’ workshop

Session 1, 22Session 1, 22ndnd June 2010, Eugene OREGON June 2010, Eugene OREGON

Jack Kanya Buckskin & Rob AmeryJack Kanya Buckskin & Rob AmeryKaurna Warra Pintyandi & University of Adelaide Kaurna Warra Pintyandi & University of Adelaide

rob.amery@adelaide.edu.aurob.amery@adelaide.edu.au

Kaurna YertaKaurna Yerta‘Kaurna country’‘Kaurna country’

Kaurna Yerta

The Dresden Missionary SocietyThe Dresden Missionary Society

• Schürmann & Teichelmann aboard the Pestonjee Bomanjee along with Gov. George Gawler• arrive in Adelaide on 14 October 1838.

Teichelmann &Teichelmann & SchSchürmann ürmann document the Kaurna languagedocument the Kaurna language

• Trained in philology in Dresden (Hebrew, Greek, Latin and a little Chinese)

• Given instructions to translate the Bible as soon as they could master the language

• Immediately set out to learn and document the Kaurna language

• Published a sketch grammar, vocabulary and sentence examples in 1840 after just 18 months

• Recorded several traditional Kaurna songlines (including secret sacred material)

Sources of Kaurna LanguageSources of Kaurna Language

T&S worked with Kaurna men including:

• Kadlitpinna (opposite),

• Mullawirraburka,

• Ityamaiitpinna

• Wauwityinna etc

What is known of Kaurna from What is known of Kaurna from documented sources.documented sources.

• Vocabulary of 3,000 to 3,500 words (all except 200 or so recorded in T&S and TMs)

• More than 100 new terms for new things (eg nurlitti ‘key’; pintyandi ‘to write’)

• A reasonable sketch grammar (T&S, Teich)• Several hundred translated sentence examples (all

but a few recorded in T&S and TMs)• 8 short traditional songlines (5 in T&S; 1 by

Schürmann; 2 by Moorhouse)• Very few texts

Kaurna Language Reclamation: Kaurna Language Reclamation: A brief historyA brief history

• 1980 naming of Warriappendi Alternative School

• 1980s Aboriginal Studies curriculum culminating in The Kaurna People (1989)

• 1990 Songwriter’s workshop – 6 Kaurna songs

• Annual Kaurna workshops 1990-1993

• Introduced to Kaurna Plains School 1992

Current SituationCurrent Situation

• Kaurna is currently taught at all levels including kindergarten, primary, junior secondary, senior secondary, adult (TAFE) and university

• Used increasingly in the public domain

• Used to a minimal extent within some Kaurna homes and within the community

• Ongoing projects and research

Kaurna Warra Pintyandi (KWP)Kaurna Warra Pintyandi (KWP)• Hosted by the University of Adelaide• Fields requests for Kaurna names, translations etc.• Plans and monitors use of the Kaurna language• Consultative body re Kaurna language matters• Produces Kaurna language resources