Word Up podcast aims to revitalize Indigenous languages in Australia
CBC Radio | Posted: September 28, 2018 7:01 PM | Last Updated: September 28, 2018
The Australian Broadcasting Corporation produces several programs on Indigenous issues.
Speaking Out addresses Indigenous politics, lifestyle and current affairs, while Awaye covers Indigenous arts and culture across Australia.
But ABC also produces a podcast called Word Up that addresses the loss and reclamation of Indigenous languages across Australia.
"I think there's incredible poetry, and there's so much knowledge embedded in language. Just a simple word can tell you so much about our worldview as Indigenous people," said Daniel Browning, editor of Indigenous Radio at ABC and the host of Awaye.
"I think there's incredible poetry, and there's so much knowledge embedded in language. Just a simple word can tell you so much about our worldview as Indigenous people," said Daniel Browning, editor of Indigenous Radio at ABC and the host of Awaye.
"And I really felt that people weren't hearing that. And when our languages aren't spoken, people don't know us."
Each podcast typically teaches three words in one of the 300-600 languages to choose from across the continent. So far, Word Up has featured 85 languages over two years.
The description for a recent episode said, "Nukunu is a heritage language — one without fluent speakers. But that doesn't mean it's not being spoken."
Browning said although Nukunu isn't spoken anymore, it's being relearned from the historical record and with words passed down through families.
"There's incredible hope in the podcast as well," Browning said. "It's not about fluency, it's about revitalization."