The Illustrated Handbook of Yolŋu Sign Language

The Illustrated Handbook of Yolŋu Sign Language

At 25cm, 328-pages the Handbook is a guide to learning YSL in English and Yolŋu matha, stunningly photographed by Theresa Ritchie and David Hancock. It demonstrates in sequenced images the use, structure, and conventions of over five hundred Yolŋu hand signs. It also includes an extraordinary section of previously unknown and undescribed idiomatic hand signs of an earlier era, fortunately saved for posterity, by an older generation. It includes Illustrations, Maps, Reference, Grammar, Learners Guide, A Yolŋu Bilingual Identification Guide and English Index. World experts in YSL Prof. Adone, M.C.D. & Dr Maypilama E. L, have organised a stunning visual guide to semantic domains of Yolŋu Sign Language “Bringing together YSL signs and English translation with pictorial illustrations, it is a resource for bilingual education in schools, on homelands, in communities…and for English speakers to learn YSL. It includes notes on the history, use and grammar of Indigenous Sign Languages, Natural Semantic Metalanguage and insightful cultural translation. It includes a learner’s guide, grammar, cross-cultural beginner’s mini-language, example sentences, hand shapes, interpretation and composition of signs, movement, location and orientation of signs and their non-manual elements. Designed by Therese Ritchie it is a landmark in endangered language preservation, collaboration and bilingual-bimodal education.

Patrick Dodson declares: “This work is a rare and wonderful tribute to Yolŋu language shaped over untold generations, – as it is to those who continue, in the face of great obstacles, to show leadership and courage in care for kin and country. This work celebrates leaders like Baymarrwaŋa (1917-2014), for her lifelong commitment to educating all about language, culture and biological integrity of Yolŋu connection to place.” The Hon P. Dodson. 2020.

$250.00

175 in stock

Description

The Illustrated Handbook of Yolŋu Sign Language of North East Arnhem Land Project.
Driven by the vision of Laurie Baymarrwaŋa (1917-2014), compelled by the spirit of the ancestors, this work is about the intergenerational transmission of language. (YSL) Yolŋu Sign Language is an endangered Indigenous Australian Sign Language. This research is directed by the Yolŋu signers and speakers of this rare language and has been conducted over the last 25 years on the homelands and in the communities of North East Arnhem Land.

The importance of passing on this language to a new generation of Yolŋu children is equalled only by the need to share YSL with all Australians. As each indigenous language disappears all our worlds are diminished. For this reason, we have volunteered to bring together some five hundred signs of YSL collected from the east to the west of Yolŋu Country.
Recent history of this project grows out of the vision of Baymarrwaŋa and a chance meeting at her homeland on Galwin’ku (Elcho Is). There, in 1994, Elaine Maypilama, Dany Mari Carla Adone and I proposed to write this book. Since then, Yolŋu elders from sunrise in the east of Blue Mud Bay to the sunset west at Murruŋga, largest of the outer Crocodile Island, have shared their signs to educate, inform and entertain a new generation of young people.

Baymarrwaŋa would always say “Limalanha gurrku mana maŋutjiguma limalama djäma märr ḏilak yanama dhuyugu Yolŋulu gurruku mana nhäma marŋgiyirri limalagara. Bilabilagumunu ŋanapuluma nhaŋ’kumunu dhäŋuny bulthuna nhapiyana mananha limalama ḏilak miṯṯji nyenanha baman’ŋatjili”. We follow the way of the ancestors, the way of those who come before.[1]
Baymarrwaŋa spent a lifetime promoting the intergenerational transmission of local language and knowledge to sustain authentic livelihoods on the homelands. She gave funding, signs and direction to this project. Her Rangers, Atlas and turtle sanctuary were part of her dream. Thanx to the generosity of many fine people and the help of volunteers, we have realised her unfinished project, the magnificent Illustrated Handbook of Yolŋu Sign Language of North East Arnhem Land.

In honour of Baymarrwaŋa’s vision, the Illustrated Handbook of Yolŋu Sign Language of North East Arnhem Land, gives this endangered language back to the children. The Illustrated Handbook of Yolŋu Sign Language of North East Arnhem Land describes the grammar, vocabulary, structure and conventions of Yolŋu sign language in an easy-to-use, full-colour guide for everyone. Distribution to the children of Milingimbi, at Murrungga and at Galwin’ku schools has begun. What a wonderful tribute it is to those that have passed away in the making of this text to celebrate their generosity, and that of an older generation.

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The Illustrated Handbook of Yolŋu Sign Language

$250.00

175 in stock