Language Related Projects

Below are a list of current projects we are undertaking in the area of Language:

Dictionary Development

ARDS has worked - largely unfunded - for the past three years to develop dictionaries that comprehensively document the wide range of words and concepts from the Yolngu group of languages, and provide translation of English terms to Yolngu Matha (the language of the Yolngu people). The ARDS translation team includes ARDS educators and contracted Yolngu language workers.

Introduction to Gupapyngu Dictionary
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Gupapyngu Dictionary
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Health
Comprehensive Database

ARDS is working to develop a comprehensive database that will include common anatomical terms, diseases, health disorders and conditions, nutrition, and basic physiological and psychological functioning of the body. A database of approximately 3,500 key terms is envisaged with accompanying examples of these words\concepts used in context.

Legal
Magistrate’s Court – Database

ARDS is developing a database that will include up to 500 key legal terms with accompanying examples of words\concepts used in context.

Click here for more information on language.

ARDS has also developed a website for interpreting Legal terms into Yolngu Matha. This site can be accessed by clicking the image below:

Gurrangay Matha Project

Gurraŋay Matha is an extremely important educational resource that has been used by Yolŋu for thousands of years to record and store academic knowledge and intangible concepts covering the areas of health, anatomy, economics, commerce, law, theology, biology, zoology, the social sciences, ecology/ conservation and astronomy.

Dhangu/Djangu project

The Dhangu/Djangu language is a Yolngu language of NE Arnhem Land and is still spoken throughout the area, but is not one of the dominent languages. Most language work is carried out in Dhuwal/Dhuwala dialects. There are about six Dhangu/Djangu dialects that are still used, but which have very little, if any, documentation.