Buluwai Language Dictionary: Handbook Guide

ISBN 9780646877112 | Format A5 36p | Published 2023-04-05 | Author Dianne Brim

With any newly discovered peopled society, an attempt to communicate is the first step in working out what is needed. Learning a new language alters your global perspective. Far North Queensland 1963, came the closure of Mona Mona Mission and since then, the passing of our tribal people and our older Mission generations, has seen a need to salvage and record for all time, our traditional languages that were once spoken not so long ago. For this important project, the Buluwai people sincerely thank and acknowledge the time and dedication undertaken throughout the years, in the recording of tribal languages that make up Far North Queensland Wet Tropics Rainforest Aboriginal People’s areas. Buluwai Tribal people humbly acknowledge the timeless dedication in preserving our ‘lost’ languages and we give with gratitude, references to N B Tindale 1938 ‘Primary Source’ Parallel Vocabularies; R. M. Dixon, A Grammar of Yidiny, CUP, Melbourne, 1977, p.xxiii; M. Quinn, Djabugay Ngirrma Gulu, Cairns, 1989, pp.110-111 and Dr. T. Bottoms with his invaluable knowledge, truth and easygoing guidance. Every tribal landscape is uniquely different to it’s neighbour and because of this, the language spoken can only represent the land for which it speaks. With this mind, the Traditional Owners of Buluwai Traditional Tribal Estate, are proud to present our first Language Dictionary Handbook specific to our country. Buluwai Traditional Owners welcome all visitors to our iconic country and we trust our Dictionary Handbook Guide, will give an awareness of the natural landscape that surrounds us, as this will help protect it’s uniqueness for future generations.
Katjiraka Clan, Buluwai Tribe
Buluwai Language Dictionary

This initiative is proudly supported by the
Queensland Government through the
Indigenous Languages Grants program.