The area covered by the North Queensland Language Centre includes forty three Aboriginal languages over an area south to Sarina, west to Richmond and north to Mossman in North Queensland. While research has shown that only one of these groups has over 20 fluent speakers, several of the languages are now being revived as a result of the work of the language centre and its committee members.
The language centre was formally incorporated in 2006, after having operated under the auspices of the Girringun Aboriginal Corporation for many years. The work being carried out by the language centre includes workshops to record speakers of various languages, and training community members in the use of appropriate technology and equipment for their projects.
As the work of the language centre continues to grow the team is making increasing use of mobile workshops to reach communities in remote areas, where people are keen to begin their own language reclamation projects.
Languages that are spoken or have been spoken in the area covered by this centre include:
• Bandjin
• Jidinji Tablelands
• Ngadjon
• Birri
• Jirandali
• Nwyaigi
• Birri-gubba
• Jirrbal
• Wanamarra
• Djabugay
• Kudjala
• Warrgamay
• Girramay
• Kuka-Djungan
• Wulgaru-kabavv
• Gudjal
• Kuku-Taipan
• Yidinji
• Gugu Yalanji
• Manbarra
• Jangga
• Mulga/Buluaybar
Contact North Queensland Regional Aboriginal Corporation Language Centre
Address: PO Box 266 North Cairns Queensland 4870
Phone: (07) 4053 4698 or (07) 4053 6018
Fax: (07) 4032 3017
Email: nqraclc@bigpond.com