"My language is Kunwinjku but I speak Mawng"

When your mother-tongue is not your father-tongue

There were a number of classes that graduated recently at Nungalinya College*, including the Diploma of Translating. The students came in 6 times for 2-4 week blocks over 3 years, so it was quite the accomplishment to finish. Most of the students were already involved in Bible translation, and plan to continue in the future.

Several of the Diploma of Translating students began their speeches by saying what their language IS and what language they SPEAK. In Australian Aboriginal cultures a child takes on their language identity from their father. So because Sandra's father's language is Kunwinjku, Sandra's language is Kunwinjku. However, this marker of identity does not always line up with the language that people use day-to-day, and people don't necessarily know how to speak their language. Sandra did learn some Kunwinjku from her father before he passed away when she was 8. But her grandmother, who raised her, always spoke to her in Gunbarlang. And she grew up on South Goulburn Island, where Mawng is the dominant language. So Sandra learnt Mawng at school, and it is now the language she uses day-to-day. Mawng also happens to be her mother's language, so, although her mother passed away when Sandra was born, Sandra does have family ties to the Mawng. This allows her to be involved in Mawng Bible translation, though her work always has to be supervised by a Mawng person (someone whose father's language is Mawng). They are the true owners of the language, even though others may be able to speak it.

Pray for the graduates and other Indigenous Bible translators, that they will have the motivation and discipline needed to work on translating the Bible, and pray for more linguist-translators to support them.