Credit Points 10

Coordinator Jasmine Seymour Opens in new window

Description Indigenous languages have a growing profile in Australian life. Indigenous languages now feature across the media, literature, performing arts, environment and land management, education, and the corporate world. Western Sydney University acknowledges Dharug people as the traditional custodians of the land where several campuses are located, but relatively few people have had the chance to learn Dharug language. In this subject, students - Indigenous, non-Indigenous Australian and international students alike - have the opportunity to learn about the richness of Australian Indigenous languages, by learning to speak, listen, read and write some Dharug. The subject showcases the diversities and commonalities across Australian Indigenous languages, cultures and histories, the how and why of language revitalisation activities, and ways that everyone can play a role.

School Humanities & Comm Arts

Discipline Australian Indigenous Languages

Student Contribution Band HECS Band 1 10cp

Check your fees via the Fees page.

Level Undergraduate Level 1 subject

Learning Outcomes

1. Identify important characteristics of Australian Indigenous languages, including Dharug, their histories and revitalisation.
2. Interact in greetings, introductions and instructional language in Dharug.
3. Perform scripts for everyday communication and public presentations such as Acknowledgement of and Welcome to Country in Dharug.
4. Explain sound-letter patterns used to read, write and pronounce words and phrases in Dharug and other Australian Indigenous languages.
5. Appraise own understanding of new knowledge related to Indigenous Australian languages and peoples, including diversity of contexts and protocols for language use.

Subject Content

• Everyday communication in Dharug language
• Revitalisation of Australian Indigenous languages
• Histories of Australian Indigenous languages and their peoples
• Protocols for Australian Indigenous language use
• Sound-letter relationships and pronunciation in Australian Indigenous languages
• Characteristics of Dharug and other Australian Indigenous languages
• Approaches to accurate translation between English and Australian Indigenous languages
• Using Dharug words, phrases and scripts in communicative contexts and public presentations