App to help keep language alive

Modern technology will give one of the world’s oldest languages a shot in the arm when a locally-produced smartphone app is launched on Friday.

The Bundiyarra-Irra Wangga Language Centre in Geraldton developed a Wajarri dictionary app to ensure language knowledge is passed on from elders to a new generation of speakers.

There are fewer than 50 people in the Mid West region who still speak Wajarri, the traditional language of the Murchison region.

The app is the first of its kind in WA and translates 2000 Wajarri words from the printed Wajarri dictionary launched in 2012.

The app delivers an authentic audio pronunciation voiced by language worker Godfrey Simpson, one of the few younger Wajarri speakers. Language centre linguist Rosie Sitorus said the spoken word was important for teaching correct pronunciation.

“The recordings ensure the tradition of Wajarri as an oral language is preserved, ” she said.

“Having it as an app engages the younger generation. This is the elders’ knowledge they can engage with on a daily basis.”

The language centre developed the app in consultation with students, and a Wajarri language teacher at Geraldton Senior College Edie Maher said the increasing presence of technology in the classroom meant schools needed the information they want students to learn accessible through familiar electronic platforms.

Developed in-house by Bundiyarra’s language centre and the information technology and marketing departments, the app is based on the printed Wajarri dictionary, which took 25 years to compile.

The app will be available to download free to smart devices after the official launch at Bundiyarra on June 12.