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This page contains some hints on how to learn a (mostly) unwritten language.
You might be tempted to seek out written materials, but this complicates the task of understanding spontaneous speech in real life situations.▼
It is better to shift your orientation and face some initial discomfort.▼
It is good to ask bininj for advice; a whitefella acknowledging their ignorance is like a breath of fresh air for many Aboriginal people.
But be careful not to bombard people with questions... it starts to feel like a test.
Open questions are generally better, e.g. not "when was Gunbalanya founded?" but rather "can you tell me about this place?"
Many people assume a two step process: (1) learn the language through intensive study; then (2) apply what you've learnt with people.▼
However, you won't get far with Bininj Kunwok this way. You need to cast yourself out there even if it means adopting a more outgoing personality.▼
Try things, make mistakes, have a laugh... if you're not feeling awkward or embarrassing yourself occasionally, you're not learning.▼
Remember, the language exists for communication and relationships, so make communication and relationships the priority from the start.▼
[[File:Gudschinsky.png]]▼
--- Sarah Gudschinsky (1967) How to Learn an Unwritten Language, page 4▼
== 2. Find one or more language guides ==▼
Just because someone speaks Kunwok doesn't make them a good teacher.▼
Some people might overwhelm you with information in their enthusiasm to teach you.▼
Start making friends, and see who you can easily relax with over a cup of tea.▼
Remember that language learning is tiring for everyone, so monitor people's level of interest.▼
Sometimes it's easier to focus on learning cultural things, and picking up language alongside that.▼
▲== 3. Don't ask so many questions ==
It is tempting for westerners to engage in "inquiry learning", interrogating the material, understanding it through questioning.
In many Indigenous cultures this is not an effective way of working with local people to learn the language.
"A [balanda] and a [bininj] sitting down for the first time for language study experience considerable discomfort.
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Anxieties can also be induced by making the [bininj] believe he is being tested or that he is inferior by comparison with the [balanda]." --- William Samarin (1967) ''Field Linguistics''.
==
▲You might be tempted to seek out written materials, but this complicates the task of understanding spontaneous speech in real life situations.
▲It is better to shift your orientation and face some initial discomfort, as suggested in the following table (moving from left to right).
[[File:Learning in the wild.jpg|border|600px|Desired behavioural changes for effective learning of an oral language and culture]]
NB. ''It's not about permanently leaving your comfort zone, but just leaving it from time to time.''
▲Many people assume a two step process: (1) learn the language through intensive study; then (2) apply what you've learnt with people.
▲However, you won't get far with
▲Try things, make mistakes, have a laugh... if you're not feeling awkward or embarrassing yourself occasionally, you're not learning.
▲Remember, the language exists for communication and relationships, so make communication and relationships the priority from the start.
▲[[File:Gudschinsky.png]]
▲--- Sarah Gudschinsky (1967) How to Learn an Unwritten Language, page 4
▲Just because someone speaks Kunwok doesn't make them a good teacher.
▲Some people might overwhelm you with information in their enthusiasm to teach you.
▲Start making friends, and see who you can easily relax with over a cup of tea.
▲Remember that language learning is tiring for everyone, so monitor people's level of interest.
▲Sometimes it's easier to focus on learning cultural things, and picking up language alongside that.
== Learn phrases not words ==
Learning vocabulary out of context is virtually useless, because you don't get clues to the range of meanings of a word.
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When your mind offers up to you the thought that "I'm not good at this", replace it with a positive alternative such as "Most worthwhile things are challenging. This is worthwhile."
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Google [https://www.google.com.au/search?q=learning+journal learning journal] and find some guidance that works for you.
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Consider blogging about this new journey.
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Find someone else who wants to learn with you.
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