Australia Post is marking 2019 as the International Year of Indigenous Languages (IYIL) with a commemorative stamp celebrating the more than 250 Indigenous languages that have featured in the nation’s history.
Chief Executive of the Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies (AIATSIS) and a member of the IYIL 2019 Steering Committee, Craig Ritchie said the year presented a great opportunity to have a national discussion about the role Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures played in shaping Australia and informing its identity.
“More than 250 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander languages were spoken at the time of European settlement in 1788,” Mr Ritchie said.
“Today, only 13 of these languages are acquired as first language by the youngest generation — a crucial element for language maintenance.”
He said that worldwide, the United Nations believed that around 40 per cent of the estimated 6,700 languages spoken were in danger of disappearing.
“The United Nations General Assembly declared 2019 the International Year of Indigenous Languages to raise awareness of the crucial role languages play in people’s lives, cultural identity and wellbeing,” Mr Ritchie said.
The new stamp was designed by Sharon Rodziewicz of the Australia Post Design Studio with the domestic base-rate ($1) stamp featuring the official United Nations logo for the International Year of Indigenous Languages 2019.
A map featured on the sheet pack of stamps represents the regions associated with the hundreds of Indigenous language variations, both current and historical, recorded in the Australian Indigenous languages database developed and maintained by AIATSIS.
The new stamp The stamp and its associated products are available at most Post Offices around the country but could be ordered via mail order on 1800 331 794 or online at auspost.com.au/stamps.
