Launching Books in 6 languages

On Friday 22nd February we held a morning tea in Alice Springs to celebrate the completion of a project, funded by the Indigenous Literacy Foundation and Mary Mckillop Foundation, to translate the first 3 of the Honey Ant Readers (HARs) into 6 traditional Aboriginal languages: Western Arrernte; Central Arrernte; Warlpiri; Luritja; Yankunytjatjara and Pitjantjatjara.
The books are accompanied by an audio CD so that learners can follow the text and hear the pronunciation, and rhythm of the language. This project is important as it contributes to a very small collection of resources available in languages, and allows people of all ages, and those learning to read, to enjoy reading the books in their own language. The translators themselves have expressed their delight with the result. They all felt that they had learnt a lot during the
process, and Margaret James, Honey Ant Readers author, certainly learnt more than any one!   They also consider the books and CDs to be a unique resource which will answer many needs. Most importantly, the resource preserves their languages in audio and print, and also because the books have accompanying audio, speakers of these languages who cannot read can still enjoy the books as they listen and turn the pages when the bell prompts them to do so.

The Elders also feel that non-speakers of these languages will enjoy reading the books, with the English translations and the audio to guide them in the pronunciation. They see the resource as a way of encouraging their people to read while respecting their languages and culture, and acknowledging the validity of these. Their ancient languages, which are the vehicles for the transmission of their cultures, suffer from the increasing pressure to focus on Standard English.

It was a great privilege for HAR author Margaret James, to work with such knowledgeable and dedicated translators and Elders to bring their languages into the books and these into communities.