Kunwok

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This page contains some hints on how to learn a (mostly) unwritten language.
Learning Kunwok requires a complete shift of orientation.
Consider the following table, and where you might need to shift yourself from the left to the right.
 
== 3. Don't ask sotoo many questions ==▼
{| class="wikitable"
!Staying in your comfort zone!!Leaving your comfort zone
|-
| Learning it first then apply what you've learnt || Learning it on the go
|-
| Solitary study || Sitting with people
|-
| Interrogating the materials || Assimilating the materials
|-
| Wanting to capture || Wanting to connect
|-
| Acquiring the language as a tool for getting to know people || Getting to know people and learn in the process
|-
| Trying to get your head around the grammar || Trying to your head around the culture
|-
| Constructing good sentences in your head then saying them || Opening your mouth and speaking, combining English and Kunwok
|-
| Being correct, avoiding embarrassment || Making mistakes, embarrassing yourself a little, and realising it doesn't matter
|-
| Invite people into your space || Go out (tentatively, respectfully) into their space
|-
| Spending time online || Spending time on-country
|}
 
It is good to ask bininj for advice; a whitefella acknowledging their ignorance is like a breath of fresh air for many Aboriginal people.
== 1. Put yourself out there ==
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.
ItAlso, repeatedly asking "how do you say X?", or "what does X mean?" is alsogenerally not an effective way to learn to speak a 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''.
 
== 4.Leave Learnyour phrasescomfort not wordszone ==
 
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 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 morea language guidesguide ==
 
▲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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{|
|
* nga'''yawan''' duruk (I'm looklooking for the dog)
* nga'''bukkan''' duruk (I'm teachteaching the dog)
* nga'''dukkan''' duruk (I'm tietying up the dog)
* nga'''mang''' duruk (I'm getgetting the dog)
|
* ngare ~ nga'''m'''re (I'm going ~ coming)
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|}
 
== 5. Practice positive self-talk ==
 
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."
 
== 6. Keep a learning journal ==
 
Google [https://www.google.com.au/search?q=learning+journal learning journal] and find some guidance that works for you.
Keep a regular log of your thoughts and observations, and learn about your preferences and strengths.
Consider blogging about this new journey.
 
== Meet with other learners ==
 
Find someone else who wants to learn with you.
Meet regularly to share your experiences and ideas.
Share any learning resources you create with each other (or on this site).
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