Australia's original languages : an introduction

Resource Information

The work Australia's original languages : an introduction represents a distinct intellectual or artistic creation found in City of Belmont - Ruth Faulkner Public Library. This resource is a combination of several types including: Work, Language Material, Books.

Label

Australia's original languages : an introduction

Title remainder

an introduction

Statement of responsibility

R.M.W. Dixon

Creator

• Dixon, Robert M. W., 1939-

Author

• Dixon, Robert M. W., 1939-

Subject

• Language and culture -- Australia
• Language and languages -- Study and teaching -- Australia
• Aboriginal Australians
• Linguistics -- Study and teaching -- Australia
• Linguistics -- Research
• Aboriginal Australians -- Languages

Language

eng

Summary

When Captain Cook landed at Botany Bay, about 250 distinct languages were spoken across the continent. Yet Australian Indigenous languages actually share many common features. Bob Dixon has been working with elders to research Australian languages for half a century, and he draws on this deep experience to outline the common features. He provides a straightforward introduction to the sounds, word building, and wide-ranging vocabulary of Indigenous languages, and highlights distinctive grammatical features. He explains how language is related to culture, including kinship relationships, gender systems, and naming conventions. With examples from over 30 languages and anecdotes illustrating language use, and avoiding technical terms, Australia's Original Languages is the indispensable starting point for anyone interested in learning about Aboriginal and Torres Strait languages

Cataloging source

YDX

Dewey number

499/.15

Index

index present

Literary form

non fiction

Nature of contents

bibliography

Target audience

adult