NSW:Lost indigenous languages to be revived

AAP General News (Australia)
08-12-2011
NSW:Lost indigenous languages to be revived

The NSW State Library is hoping to revive a number of lost indigenous languages, using
the letters and diaries of British naval officers, surveyors and missionaries.

NSW Arts Minister GEORGE SOURIS says a nation's oral and written language is the backbone
to its culture and says the preservation of the languages and dialects of Australia's
indigenous citizens is a very important project.

The library's acting chief executive, NOELLE NELSON, says many of the 250 indigenous
languages spoken in Australia during British settlement are now lost.

Mr SOURIS says mining giant Rio Tinto will help the library in the restoration work,
which will be made available to the relevant indigenous communities.

AAP RTV ct/psm/

KEYWORD: LANGUAGE (SYDNEY)

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