There were around 300 distinct Indigenous languages spoken around Australia at the time of the first European contact. The number of languages still actively spoken by children is fewer than 20, and these languages are mostly in remote parts of Australia. They are used for everyday talk in a number of small communities. In recent years many people have begun to re-learn their families' languages. These languages are very important to their users as languages which connect them with their heritage. There are currently only seven Indigenous languages taught at Australian universities. Four of them are languages which are still actively spoken, including by children in the community: Arrernte, Bininj Kunwok, Pitjantjatjara and Yolŋu Matha. The remaining three languages which are taught at Australian universities are languages which are being revitalised by the community: Gamilaraay, Kaurna and Wiradjuri.
Choose another Category: Asian Languages, Classical Languages, European Languages, Middle Eastern Languages, Pacific Languages, Signed Languages
Choose another Language