An app developed by the NSW Aboriginal Education Consultative Group (AECG) has been launched to help bring the sound of language to life across the state.
Students from Weilmoringle and Rowena public schools performed songs in their local first nations’ languages to mark the launch of the app at the Museum of Contemporary Arts.
President of the NSW AECG, Cindy Berwick said the app allowed users to explore four NSW languages: Bundjalung, Gamilaraay, Gumbaynggirr and Wiradjuri.
Ms Berwick said Paakantji and Murrawarri languages would soon be added.
“This app is for our community so that we can ensure survival of our languages as First Nation peoples,” Ms Berwick said.
“But we also want non-Aboriginal people to use the app to support an understanding of and respect for Aboriginal histories and cultures and the unique place Aboriginal people hold as the oldest living culture of humanity.”
She said she hoped that app would contribute to Aboriginal students’ identity, sense of belonging and connection to Country.
Department of Education Secretary, Mark Scott said he looked forward to hearing students practising language using the app.
“One of my most memorable days as Secretary was sitting in a classroom up the North Coast, and unlike when I went to school, those students in Year 7 weren’t learning French or German, but they were learning the local Aboriginal language,” Mr Scott said.
The NSW AECG languages learning app is available in the App Store and Google Play.
