Lesson 2

UNDER CONSTRUCTION

Vowels
Bininj Kunwok has just five vowels and their pronunciation does not vary. Read about the vowels in our Pronunciation Guide.




 * wak.wak crow
 * de.lek white paint
 * bik.bik pig
 * bo.bo bye
 * du.ruk dog

word-initial ng
English speakers know this sound from words like sing, sang, sung. The challenge is to learn how to produce this sound at the start of words. It takes practice.

The first step is to become aware of what your tongue does to produce this sound. We'll try this by repeating a nonsense word. We'll do it in three stages:


 * 1) "nanga nanga nanga" (notice what your tongue is doing)
 * 2) "na-nga-na-nga-na-nga" (join up the words and speak slowly; try to say the ng at the start of the following syllable)
 * 3) "na nga na nga na nga" (break them up into separate words)

Here are the "ng" words we've heard so far: ngare I go, ngawokdi I speak, ngabolknan I'm looking around. Here's some more: ngaye I, ngudda you, ngalyod rainbow serpent, ngadburrung sibling, ngalng yabby. As before, check your pronunciation with a local. If possible, record someone saying these words slowly, so you can listen to them later.

My Network Map
On a blank sheet of paper draw three concentric circles. Add the names of people to the sheet as follows:


 * inner circle: Write the names of Aboriginal friends who you are able use the language with. You're comfortable with these people and don't mind taking risks as you get started in the language. They are also comfortable with having you sometimes listen in on their conversations.
 * next circle: Write the names of Aboriginal people who you interact with regularly. These are prospects. After some practice and some confidence building, you feel ok about trying to use the language with them. Soon, they may be in the inner circle.
 * next circle: Write the names of Aboriginal people you interact with occasionally, but who you don't yet feel comfortable with. Be mindful of them, and be sure to acknowledge them when you see them. Don't be shy.
 * outer area: Think of anyone else who might be interesting to talk to. Perhaps they're an elder with significant cultural knowledge.

Hanging out
Think of places and times where you can spend time interacting with Aboriginal people. Examples are a bench outside the shop, or a morning walk when people are on their way to the shop or to work. Plan to spend a little time in those places this week.

Things to try this week

 * 1) make 10-20 second recordings of people saying the words; use the recordings to review pronunciation (charge your phone and install a voice recorder; set it to save files using automatic numbering and edit the filenames to something meaningful later)
 * 2) try to find an opportunity to sit with people (hint: buy one of the locally available sarongs and carry it with you, so you can sit on the ground with locals)
 * 3) memorise the cycle of skin names and have another learner quiz you