Our Work
Dhäruk Djägamirr Mala Yolŋu Language Centre
Our Purpose
Gatjpu
Yindiny ŋayi gämurru’ ŋunhi nhäku ŋanapurr ga dhuwal gämurruw’ djäma. Bili napurr ga djälthirr ŋalimurruŋgalaŋuw mathaw malaŋuw walal dhu ga ḏäl yan dhärra.
There is an important reason why we are doing this. Because we want our languages to be strong.
Yaka ŋayi dhu wiṯitjwiṯitjthirr, bakthun wo buwayakthirr.
They are not to mix up, break down and disappear.
Dhiyaŋuny ga maŋutji-ḻakaram bukmaknha gämurru’ mala nhä ŋanapurr ga ŋayatham ga nhaltjan ŋanapurr ŋuli djäma. Romgu ŋanapurruŋgalaŋuw ga dhäwuw’ malaŋuw dhuwandja märr ga ŋayi dhu ga dhärra wuṉḏaŋarr yan.
This is a part of everything we do. So that our law and our stories will stand firm.
Ga bulu ŋanapurr ga dhuwal djäma märr ga ŋanapurr dhu ga ŋayatham rirrakay, wuŋuli’ wo nhä malanynha, märr ga ŋayi dhu balayi roŋiyirr yuṯaw yolŋuw nhänharaw ga marŋgithinyaraw.
Also we are doing this so that we can keep recordings and so on, so it can go back to the young people to see and learn.
Yaka yan ŋanapurruŋ Yolŋuw, Balandaw wiripuny marŋgithinyaraw.
This is not only for Yolŋu, but for everyone.
Dhärukpuy Mala Gämurru’
About Yolŋu Languages
Dhäruk dhuwal gurrkurr ga dhä-manapanamirr.
These languages are our foundation and connection.
Dhä-manapan ŋayi dhu Yolŋuny ga wäŋany.
They bring together Yolŋu and country, waterways, oceans and the universe.
Ga bulu dhäruk ŋayi dhuwal gurruṯumirr.
And languages are also kin.
There are many Yolŋu languages spoken in North-east Arnhem Land. Sometimes we refer to the languages as a group using the name Yolŋu Matha (Yolŋu languages). Yolŋu languages can be grouped in different ways. Above is one way to group Yolŋu languages according to the word for ‘this’. For example djaŋu is the word that Warramiri and Maṉḏatja clanspeople use for ‘this’.
Djäma Mala
Our Work
Dhäruk djäma yirralka’ŋur mala
Doing language work on country
Ŋaḻapaḻmirr ga yuṯa yolŋu rrambaŋi djäma
Elders and young people working together
Buyu' yolŋukum limurr li djäma
Putting things into the Yolŋu way
Nininyŋu dhäruk dhawaṯmaram
Bringing out the ancestral languages
Makmakthun dhärukku mala
Respecting and caring for Yolŋu languages
Wäŋa Yati'
Yolŋu Archive
Bitja Mala
Photo gallery
Translation services
Yolŋu Matha ↔ English
Translate between Yolŋu languages and English in a range of formats
Audio Recordings
Record your message in Yolŋu languages so you have an audio version to share.
Plain English
Translate your message into Plain English that is clear and accessible for Yolŋu.
Concept Mapping
Help you map out what you want to say and advise how to reach Yolŋu audiences.