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
[email protected]@adelaide.edu.au
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