The Australian Aboriginal language of Mirawoong is being revitalised. But to do this, it needs more than speakers. It needs words.

How do you construct new words in a language? And how well are these words being accepted?

We’re talking to neologist Knut Olawsky on this episode of Talk the Talk.

Listen to this episode

Download this episode

You can listen to all the episodes of Talk the Talk by pasting this URL into your podlistener.

http://danielmidgley.com/talkthetalk/talk_classic.xml

Promo

Promo with Rewi Lyall, 2018-06-19: Stealth phrases

Daniel and Rewi chat ahead of the show. Daniel has noticed some phrases popping up, like intellectual diversity and equality of outcome. To the unwary, they don’t really sound like anything, but they lead back to psychologist Jordan Peterson. This is presented in the public interest. 

Also at https://www.patreon.com/posts/19538930

Animation

by the Mystery Animator

Full interview

Interview with Knut Olawsky (complete)

Here’s the complete audio of Daniel chatting with Knut Olawsky of the Mirima Language Centre about creating words for the Miriwoong language of Western Australia.

The Miriwoong language is being revitalised, and this means that the language needs words for objects and concepts that are new or that have been forgotten. It’s a race against time — it takes a while for the words to be approved by the few remaining native speakers, but the process needs to happen quickly enough to prevent wholesale borrowing of English words.

Thanks to Knut, and to all our patrons.

Also at https://www.patreon.com/posts/19520404

Patreon supporters

Our amazing patrons keep us going when all around is dark. They include:

  • Jerry
  • Termy
  • Helen
  • Jack
  • Matt

Thanks, all! We feel your support, and it matters.

We’re Because Language now, and you can become a Patreon supporter!
Depending on your level, you can get bonus episodes, mailouts, shoutouts, come to live episodes, and of course have membership in our Discord community.

Become a Patron!

Show notes

Mandatory English language classes, new test under consideration for migrants
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-06-14/new-english-language-requirements-for-migrants-being-considered/9868756

Weird graphic from the @australian here about Aussies who speak little/no English.

Yes, Aussies who speak no/little English have gone from 300K (1981) to 820K (2016). But this represents a jump from 2% to 3.4% of the population … across 35 years.https://t.co/sT7Pas8U5z pic.twitter.com/aApzE6VWen

— Benjamin Law (@mrbenjaminlaw) June 14, 2018

Find your member of Parliament.
https://www.aph.gov.au/Senators_and_Members/Guidelines_for_Contacting_Senators_and_Members

The Miriwoong App
http://mirima.org.au/mdwg-work/miriwoong-app/

Mister Rogers’ wife stopped by Jimmy Fallon to share the importance of the number 143
http://ew.com/tv/2018/06/13/mister-rogers-wife-joanne-jimmy-fallon/

Fred Rogers Acceptance Speech – 1997
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Upm9LnuCBUM

Mister Rogers defending PBS to the US Senate
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yXEuEUQIP3Q

My title is Dr Fern Riddell, not Ms or Miss Riddell. I have it because I am an expert, and my life and career consist of being that expert in as many different ways as possible. I worked hard to earned my authority, and I will not give it up to anyone.

— Dr Fern Riddell (@FernRiddell) 13 June 2018

Mansplainers Criticise Doctor After She Asks To Be Referred To By Professional Name
https://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/mansplaining-woman-doctor-title-arrogant-professional-name-twitter-fern-riddell-a8399076.html

Would you like a jobbymoon?
https://www.theguardian.com/news/shortcuts/2018/jun/11/jobbymoon-honeymoons-babymoons-career-move-holiday

Scottish Twitter reacts to newspaper’s suggestion to take a ‘jobbymoon’
http://www.thenational.scot/news/16283481.Scottish_Twitter_reacts_to_newspaper_s_suggestion_to_take_a__jobbymoon_/

Weekly Word Watch: denuclearization, lozhka, and jobbymoon
https://blog.oxforddictionaries.com/2018/06/15/weekly-word-watch-denuclearization-lozhka-jobbymoon/

Where Does the Term “Honeymoon” Come From?
http://mentalfloss.com/article/54075/where-does-term-honeymoon-come

Etymonline.com: honeymoon (n.)
https://www.etymonline.com/word/honeymoon

Transcript

We’re working our way back through the archives. If you think we should prioritise a transcript of this episode, let us know!