TIPPING POINT TO SAVE LOCAL LANGUAGES

Dr Carly Steele teaching in the desert.

A language education expert says Australia’s indigenous languages are in danger of dying out.

“There were more than 250 indigenous languages and over 750 dialects,” she said. “Now only 40 are still spoken with just 12 being learned by children.”

Dr Steel said the UN declaration of 2022-32 as the Decade of Indigenous Language should be a powerful incentive to preserve and revive Australia’s languages.

“What we are talking about today is not just happening in Australia, it’s happening globally,” she said. “Every two weeks a language is being lost. Through the decade it’s hoped that we can raise awareness about this issue and also advocate for the critical role that education can play.”

Dr Steel said primary schools were now playing an important part.