In This Together-News from AET

Connecting with Kaurna Culture Through Language

“Our language is sacred…Words are given to us by the land and those words are sacred…Words make things happen—make us alive. Words come not only from our land but also from our ancestors…. Language is what we see in people. Language is what we know of people… Language is how people identify themselves. Being you is to know your language. It is rooted in your relationship from creation—in your kinship that cycles from then and there, onwards and onwards...” – Ms Amelia Turner, Lhere Artepe Aboriginal Corporation.

Language is an important vessel for transmitting knowledge, ideas and shared meanings within and across cultures and generations. We know that language holds great significance to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. To share language promotes a sense of identity, self-esteem, culture, kinship and community.

Adapted from the Reconciliation website.

At LNPS we have been connecting with Kaurna culture through language. Teachers have been fortunate to have had a few sessions learning language with Jack Buckskin and of course when sharing this knowledge with our students they have absorbed it with enthusiasm and are keen to learn more. We have been focussing on greetings, numbers, body parts and colours. Students have been creating songs, skits and demonstration videos to share what they have learnt. 

Why not have a go at home? 

 Greetings

Niina marni   Hello, how are you?

marni'ai    I'm good

kuku'ai   I'm sick

Ngana ngai nari? What’s my name?

Ngana niina nari?   My name is....

Niina?    Any you?

Colours

milthi - red

karralta- blue

karralta timina- green

wiranirana- yellow

purnki purnki- brown

parkana - white

pulyuna- black 

Numbers

1 - kuma

2 - purlaityi

3 - marnkutyi

4 - yarapurla

5 - mila

6 - marru

7 - wangu

8 - ngarla

9 - pawa

Body Parts

Our students have used their creative, cooperative and communication skills to  create songs, skits and language demonstrations to showcase their skills. 

Picture from the book Respect by Aunty Fay Muir & Sue Lawson and illustrated by Lisa Kennedy