University of Melbourne researchers have reached a record milestone in the 50 Words Project, having now preserved audio recordings of 50 unique words in 100 different Indigenous languages.
The online resource brings together translations from Indigenous languages across Australia, alongside recordings from community speakers. Through an interactive map, users can explore languages from across the country and hear words spoken by speakers from each language group, with community permission.
The project is led by linguists Professor Rachel Nordlinger and Associate Professor Nick Thieberger from the Faculty of Arts’ Research Unit for Indigenous Language (RUIL). Since its launch in 2019, the platform has attracted more than 300,000 visitors and is now widely used in schools, language programs and Indigenous communities to support language learning.
Professor Rachel Nordlinger said reaching 100 languages marked an important milestone.
“This is the first time words from Indigenous languages have been brought together online at this scale, and in a format where people can hear words spoken by members of those language groups,” Professor Nordlinger said.
“We have seen teachers using the platform to introduce students to the Indigenous language of their local area, while communities are drawing on it to support intergenerational learning and language revitalisation.”
L-R: Research Unit for Indigenous Language researchers, Associate Professor Nick Thieberger, Professor Rachel Nordlinger and Professor Brett Baker, and Djukun woman, Jaala Ozies, discussing 50 Words in Djukun language. Image supplied.
Tiffany Chen, an English Language teacher at Melbourne’s University High, is using the resource to help VCE English Language students examine the relationship between languages, cultures and identities in Australia.
“The 50 Words Project created an opportunity for staff and students to examine the importance of language maintenance, reclamation, and revitalisation in a world that is rapidly changing and dominated by many different ‘standard’ forms of English,” Ms Chen said.
“Students have enjoyed exploring the linguistic similarities and differences between English and Indigenous languages such as Kriol.
“It has allowed them to start important conversations about the connections between personal and group identities, Australian colonial history, multilingualism, and language.”
Associate Professor Thieberger said the project highlights the importance of audio documentation in preserving and teaching Indigenous languages.
“These recordings capture pronunciation, rhythm and ways of speaking that written text alone cannot preserve,” he said.
“They create a snapshot of words as they are spoken today, helping communities maintain and strengthen language knowledge across generations, especially given that many Indigenous languages are no longer being spoken every day.”
The project will continue to grow as researchers work alongside communities to add more languages into the future.
