Searching for Aboriginal Languages: Memoirs of a Field Worker

by R. M. W. Dixon

Overview

In the early 1960s, R. M. W. (Bob) Dixon was one of the first linguists to study the Aboriginal languages of northeast Queensland, Australia. He found that some languages of the coastal rainforest were still in daily use, but others were only half-remembered by a single elder. This autobiographical account of fourteen years of research, first published in 1984, paints a fascinating picture of the frontier society that existed in the region nearly fifty years ago. It reveals the difficulties and the excitement of linguistic fieldwork, but most of all it focuses on the people who agreed to work with Dixon and patiently helped him to understand their dauntingly complex languages. They allowed him to record their legends and songs and spent many hours answering his questions; this book is a poignant reminder of the fragility of their ancient culture.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781108025041
Publisher:	Cambridge University Press
Publication date:	02/17/2011
Series:	Cambridge Library Collection - Linguistics
Edition description:	Reissue
Pages:	350
Product dimensions:	5.50(w) x 8.40(h) x 1.00(d)

Table of Contents

1. Setting off; 2. 'Haven't you got a machine?'; 3. 'You never talk it to me!'; 4. Full of unforgettable characters; 5. 'Time to get back to wife'; 6. 'Drink this!'; 7. 'Of course we'll keep in touch'; 8. 'Doing all these Jalnguy'; 9. Lots of linguistic expertise; 10. 'This way be bit more better'; 11. 'Happiness and fun'; 12. 'It's not'; 13. 'Those are good for you'; 14. Loss; 15. 'I think I like that language best'; Afterword; Pronunciation of Aboriginal words; Tribal and language names.

Editorial Reviews

Reprint. Originally published in 1983, U. of Queensland Press. Dixon (linguistics, Australian National U.) provides readers with an accessible and interesting account of his adventures and discoveries as he studied the Australian aboriginal language and culture. No index or bibliography. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

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