Tips

This page contains some hints on how to learn a (mostly) unwritten language...

1. Put yourself out there

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 different and more outgoing personality. Try things, make mistakes, have a laugh... if you're not making mistakes and embarrassing yourself regularly, you're not learning. The language exists for communication and relationships, so make communication and relationships the priority from the very beginning.

--- Sarah Gudschinsky (1967) How to Learn an Unwritten Language, page 4

2. 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. Memorise phrases, and generalise them by substituting words.

Many people start by replacing English nouns with Kunwok nouns, e.g. "what's that daluk's name?". But speaking the language requires verbs, and you can't learn Kunwok verbs this way. You learn them through substitution:

ngayawan duruk (I look for the dog) ngabukkan duruk (I teach the dog) ngadukkan duruk (I tie up the dog) ngamang duruk (I get the dog)

ngare ~ ngamre (I'm going ~ coming) ngadurndeng ~ ngamdurndeng (I'm going back ~ coming back) ngalobme ~ ngamlobme (I'm driving away ~ towards) ngakan ~ ngamkan (I'm taking it ~ bringing it)

3. Find a teacher or two

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.

4. Engage in 'Deep Work'

Language learning is an example of deep work. "Deep work is the ability to focus without distraction on a cognitively demanding task" (Cal Newport, Deep Work). What structures will you put in place in order to focus on this task?