Linguist
The Darug iyura ( Darug people) would like to acknowledge many
academics and individuals of soul and intuition, those with the
foresight to have witnessed the 'Rising of the Damned from the Ashes of
the Earth'
Nothing is more important surrounding the fabric of every culture more then land itself.
The original human inhabitants of this island continent have been
aware of the nuances surrounding the concepts of survival on earth,
longer then any other culture in the living memory of western
civilization and recorded history. Thousands of years living on and
about our universe, including understanding every aspect of environment.
The Boorooberongal Darug Iyura must highlight two incredibly
gifted Australian linguist, both for their dedication to the research
and protection of our endangered tongues. Their work has helped this
language come alive, so that we can again greet you to our land.
Amanda Oppliger helped to create 'The Dharug Dictionary' and
helped develop a process of language reclamation capable of being taught
in a classroom setting. Also i would like to acknowledge her
assistance in helping me to understand what previous linguists such as
Jeremy Steele had achieved, where many others had failed to explain
their role. She helped me to "Brave th' Bench and Press of the
Salarium".
MacDonald Jeremy Steele (BA Keele University 1962) researched
and wrote: A partial reconstruction of the Indigenous language of Sydney
based on the notebooks of William Daws of 1790-1, was informed by other
records of the Sydney and surrounding languages to c.1905. This was his
thesis submitted for a Master of Arts through Warawara Department of
Indigenous Studies, Macquarie University. Submitted December 2005. My
personal copy has been invaluable in helping to understand the subtle
and complex phonetics and placement of language.
Finally, marri didjurigura wugul banne Troy, Jacki Yeun for her
book 'The Sydney Aboriginal Languages' and for her faith in the
language reclamation process and for helping us to understand the
constant study involved.
Also we would like to acknowledge the support of Aunty Edna Watson (Upton) and women such as Lillian Sheara and her association with
the Lore of the Boorooberongal and Dharug dalang including her
continued support and promotion of the spoken language of Dharug Iyura.
This web site is also linked to Koomurri, the Australian
Aboriginal Dance Connections, who perform in Yaban-Garriberri and are
learning the Dharug dalang during constant performance, hearing,
dancing, listening, singing and speaking in the dalang. We will be
hoping to be aligned with a single body of speakers to help with
cognition and ways to help the comprehension through proper dialogue.
This site is also linked to Aboriginal Housing Company LTD PTY.
A big thank you to Dr Cat Kutay for invaluable support and the
design and creation of this website. This work has been a project
conducted by CITIES - Centre for Indigenous Technology Information and
Engineering Solutions.