‘A wealth of cultural knowledge’: Torres Strait book aims to rejuvenate dying language

Torres Strait Islanders’ efforts to rejuvenate an ancient but endangered language are beginning to bear fruit. Find out how they’re doing it

TWO years of Torres Strait Islanders’ creative toil has produced a piece of literary work that could reverse years of traditional language decline in the islands’ central region.

The book, titled Puylay and Uruyal (plants and animals), promotes the critically endangered Kulkalgau Ya language by promoting local ecological knowledge.

It was developed in partnership with traditional owners and its publication was celebrated at a ceremony on Warraber Island.

Torres Strait Regional Authority chairman Napau Pedro Stephen congratulated all involved in the book’s creation.

Artist Tony Harry describes the artwork ‘Kup Nudan’, which features on the book cover. Picture: supplied

“TSRA rangers worked with elders and traditional owners to learn and record seasonal plant flowering, fruit harvesting times, traditional uses and language names for the plants and animals in the book,” he said.

Jenny Warrack, manager of a North Queensland Indigenous language centre, said efforts such as these are important in restoring language for the benefit of future generations.

“Language is a very important tool,” she said.

“It gives you a sense of belonging and connects you to your country.

“Indigenous people want their children and grand children to learn their languages.”

Originally published as ‘A wealth of cultural knowledge’: Torres Strait book aims to rejuvenate dying language