"Addressing the Ground of Language Endangerment"

Here is the paper given by the VACL Community Linguist, Dr Christina Eira, at the recent FEL (Foundation for Endangered Languages) International Conference held in Kuala Lumpur, October 2007.

Language Fact Sheets

Some downloadable Fact Sheets About Indigenous Languages.

VACL Library

The VACL library is a valuable resource to communities and has been growing steadily since the formation of VACL in 1994. The library boasts a collection of over 100 books on Indigenous Languages plus other reference material from such sources as the State Library, Public Records Office, AIATSIS, the Royal Historical Society of Victoria, etc. Any person is entitled to use the collections of the VACL Library, although there are limitations on the use of materials that are rare, culturally sensitive, valuable and/or fragile.

Victorian Aboriginal Languages Directory

The Victorian Aboriginal Languages Directory is a directory of Victorian Aboriginal languages and their biographical, bibliographical and archival resources, including information on the entities who have contributed to their documentation.

Community Protocols

Protocols are essentially guidelines. These protocols aim to foster positive and mutually-beneficial working relationships between Indigenous and non-Indigenous people. While there are many common issues and sensitivities which are similar across language situations, these can also differ between communities.

Tools for Recording Language

VACL has compiled a list of tools that may assist in language revival & maintenance.

Miromaa

The Arwarbukarl Cultural Resource Association in Newcastle have developed a computer program called the Miromaa Language Program. Miromaa is a computer program to assist in preserving and reclaiming our Indigenous languages.

Linguistic Explanations

Linguistics is the scientific study of language. It can be useful for many things, such as - working out the sounds of a language that is not currently spoken, developing a spelling system for an oral language, and understanding how languages change. All these things and more are important for people reviving their language. However, most linguistics writing uses a great many technical terms and jargon that makes it difficult for anyone else to read.

On this webpage you will find plain-language definitions of common technical terms used in linguistics, especially the ones you will find in linguistics writing about the Indigenous languages of Australia.

Click HERE to go to this page

Language Activity Sheets

Here you'll find some sample Activity Sheets for Language Learning

Aboriginal Placenames of Victoria

In 2002, VACL commissioned the creation of a Database and Dictionary of Aboriginal Placenames of Victoria.

Koorie Studies - Teachers' Resource Books

These resource books developed by Lynette Solomon-Dent are useful for teaching Koorie Studies to all students.

VCE Indigenous Languages of Victoria

VCE Indigenous Languages of Victoria: Revival and Reclamation study design for 2004-2010

NILS Report

The National Indigenous Languages Survey (NILS) Report 2005 provides a summary and analysis of the results from a survey of Indigenous languages vitality status and resources that was carried out in 2004.

The Victorian Aboriginal Corporation for Languages