Associate Professor Rob Amery

 Position Associate Prof/Reader
 Org Unit School of Humanities
 Email rob.amery@adelaide.edu.au
 Telephone +61 8 8313 3924
 Location Floor/Room 9 ,  Napier ,   North Terrace

  • Biography/ Background

    Marni niina pudni (Welcome)

    This is Rob Amery's homepage at the University of Adelaide. My main research focus is Australian Indigenous languages, their maintenance and revival. I began working in Aboriginal communities in 1980 in health, first as a nurse and then as an Aboriginal Health Worker Educator. I became involved in education issues when I went to Yirrkala, North East Arnhemland in 1985 where I researched Dhuwaya, a new koine variety of Yolngu Matha spoken by the younger generation, and implications for the Gumatj-English bilingual education program in operation within the school.

    In 1993 - 1994 I served as Project Officer for the innovative Australian Indigenous Languages Framework (AILF) project which introduced Indigenous languages into senior secondary studies in accredited programs for the first time in Australia's history. Go to  

    For more than two decades now I have been working with the Indigenous languages of Adelaide and surrounds, especially Kaurna, the language of the Adelaide Plains. The language is being re-learnt on the basis of 19th century materials and is beginning to be used again for a range of purposes. I have worked closely with the Kaurna community, the Department of Education and Children's Services (DECS), Kaurna Plains School and other institutions to implement Kaurna language programs. I completed my PhD on the reclamation of Kaurna in June 1998 (see publications). In 2002 we established Kaurna Warra Pintyandi (KWP) to monitor and further the development of the Kaurna language. Go to .

    In 2012 triennial funding was obtained from the Commonwealth Indigenous Language Support (ILS) scheme which has enabled us to establish a KWP Team. In 2015 we were granted further funding for another two years until June 2017. The KWP Team in 2017 included the following:

    • Steve Gadlabarti Goldsmith - Kaurna Media Production Officer (0.4 time)
    • Paul Finlay - Kaurna Media Mentor (0.4 time)
    • Taylor Power-Smith - Administrative Assistant and Kaurna Media (0.2 time)
    • Katrina Karlapina Power - Kaurna Media (0.2 time)
    • Chester Schultz - Kaurna Placenames Researcher.
    • Rob Amery - Manager and Convener of KWP
      Contact details: Tel: (08) 83133924; e-mail: rob.amery@adelaide.edu.au

    In July 2017 Steve Gadlabarti Goldsmith passed away suddenly and without warning. This has been a great loss to the team who relied on Steve for so much - role model, mentor, Kurraka in the Pirltawardli Puppet Show, performer, editorm camera operator, cultural advisor etc.

    In 2017 we were granted another 5 years Indigenous Languages and the Arts (ILA) funding 2017-2022 where we cintinue to produce Kaurna language media, undertake research (lexicographic and toponymic) and work together with KWK and a range of other stakeholders.

  • Teaching Interests

    I teach the following courses:

    LING 2039/3015 Reclaiming Languages: A Kaurna Case Study

    LING 20143013 Australian Indigenous Languages

    LING 2040/3038 Phonology

    LING 2015/3016 Morphology & Syntax

    LING 3021 Translation (Linguistics)

    LING 3020 Perspectives on Language Variation & Change (LINGUISTICS CAPSTONE course)

     

    In the past I have taught:

    LING 1101 Foundations of Linguistic

    LING 1102 Language & the Ethnography of Communication

    LING 2030/3030 Language & Communication Planning

    LING 2038 Cross-Cultural Communication

    LING 5112 Field Linguistics

    Aboriginal Health

  • Research Interests
    • Kaurna Language and Linguistics (Kaurna is the original language of Adelaide and the Adelaide Plains).
    • Language Reclamation and the Formulaic Method.
    • Indigenous Languages in Schools.
    • Language Planning and Language Revival.
    • Language Modernisation and Development.
    • Linguistic Vitality.
    • Endangered Languages.
    • Linguistics and Health (communicating Western health concepts in Indigenous languages).

    Publications

    PUBLICATIONS & MATERIALS PRODUCED - Assoc. Prof. ROB AMERY.

    a) Theses:

    Amery, Rob (1998) WARRABARNA KAURNA: Reclaiming Aboriginal Languages from Written Historical Sources: A Kaurna Case Study. PhD Thesis, Linguistics, University of Adelaide. 2 volumes.

    This thesis examines attempts to reclaim and relearn a language, long considered 'dead' or 'extinct', from nineteenth century historical materials. It investigates the sources themselves, the means by which historical materials are used in contemporary teaching programs and looks in detail at the emerging functions for the Kaurna language in the 1990s and the future prospects for the language.

     

    A reduced and revised version of this thesis was published as follows:

    Amery, Rob (2000) Warrabarna Kaurna: Reclaiming an Australian Language. Swets & Zeitlinger, Lisse, The Netherlands. [Published on 9 August 2000]

    Amery, Rob (1985) A NEW DIGLOSSIA: Contemporary Speech Varieties at Yirrkala N.E. Arnhem Land. MA Thesis in Linguistics, ANU, Canberra.

    This study investigates the rise of Dhuwaya, a variety of Yolngu Matha spoken universally by the younger generation at Yirrkala and its homeland centres.  Phonological and Morphological aspects of Dhuwaya are examined and its relationship to the respective traditional clan dialects which are still spoken at Yirrkala.

    The thesis topic was chosen when it became a concern in the school that the language spoken by the children was significantly different to Gumatj, the dialect in which reading materials were being written. Nor was it known how or to what extent Dhuwaya (otherwise known as "Baby Gumatj") differed to Gumatj, or whether this posed a linguistic problem for the children's acquisition of literacy skills.

     

    b) Books

    Amery, Rob (2017) Warra Kaurna Yalaka, Warra Kaurna Pukinangku. Kaurna Language Today, Kaurna Language from Long Ago. (revision of Pilot Version with corrections, additions and expanded finderlist). Nov. 2017.

     

    Amery, Rob (2016) Warraparna Kaurna! Reclaiming an Australian Language. University of Adelaide Press. /press/titles/kaurna/ ebook and Paperback. (Revision of Amery (2000) Warraparna Kaurna with revised spellings, additional chapter discussing developments since 2000 and reworked Conclusions) 3,767 PDF Downloads; 164 citations as at 26 July 2017 

     

    Amery, Rob (2000) Warrabarna Kaurna: Reclaiming an Australian Language. Swets & Zeitlinger, Lisse, The Netherlands.

     

    Amery, Rob ed. (2003) WARRA KAURNA: A Resource for Kaurna Language Programs. 3rd edition revised and expanded. Kaurna Warra Pintyandi, c/- University of South Australia. Reprinted September 2005, Image & Copy Centre, The University of Adelaide. (Includes corrections, addition of introductory notes about the Kaurna language, translations and protocols, timeline of significant events, recent neologisms and sections on modern clothing, modern artifacts and new technologies.)

     

    Amery, Rob (2016) Warra Kaurna Yalaka, Warra Kaurna Pukinangku. Kaurna Language Today, Kaurna Language from Long Ago. (revision of Warra Kaurna. A Resource for Kaurna Language Programs). Pilot version released March 2016.

     

    Amery, Rob & Alice Wallara Rigney with Nelson Varcoe, Chester Schultz and Kaurna Warra Pintyandi (2006) Kaurna Palti Wonga – Kaurna Funeral Protocols. (book, CD & Sympathy Cards) Kaurna Warra Pintyandi, Adelaide. (launched on 20 May 2006)

     

    Amery, Rob & Jane Simpson (2013) Kulurdu Marni Ngathaitya! Sounds Good to me! A Kaurna Learner’s Guide. Kaurna Warra Pintyanthi in association with Wakefield Press, Kent Town.

     

    Amery, Rob & Jasmin Morley (forthcoming) Kaurna Dictionary. (exists currently as a FLEx database and pilot dictionary printout with limited distribution for review)

     

    Amery, Rob & Joshua Nash (eds.) (2008) Warra Wiltaniappendi – Strengthening Languages. Proceedings of the Inaugural Indigenous Languages Conference (ILC) 2007. The University of Adelaide.

     

    Gale, Mary-Anne, Phyllis Williams, Rob Amery & Jane Simpson (2016) Texts on Clan Harmony & Games as told by Albert Karloan to Ronald & Catherine Berndt in the early 1940s. University of Adelaide. DRAFT Nov. 2016. DP150103287.

     

    Gale, Mary-Anne, Phyllis Williams, Rob Amery & Jane Simpson (2016) Ethnographic Texts as told by Albert Karloan to Ronald & Catherine Berndt in the early 1940s. University of Adelaide. DRAFT Oct. 2016. DP150103287.

     

     

    c) Refereed Journal Articles

    Amery, Rob and Zulfadli Aziz (forthcoming) Indonesian Loanwords in Acehnese. For submission to the Australian Journal of Linguistics.

     

    Gale, Mary-Anne, Rob Amery, Jane Simpson & David Wilkins (submitted to AJL) Bound, Free and In-Between: A review of pronouns in Ngarrindjeri in the world as it was, and as it will be.

     

    Amery, Rob (2019 forthcoming) Emotion Metaphors in an Awakening Language: Kaurna, the language of the Adelaide Plains. Emotion, body and mind across a continent: Figurative representations of emotions in Australian Aboriginal languages. Special Issue of Pragmatics and Cognition. Edited by Maïa Ponsonnet, Dorothea Hoffmann & Isabel O’Keeffe.

     

    Amery, Rob (2018) Koeler and the Dresdners: contrasting views of five early Germans towards Indigenous peoples in South Australia. Journal of the Anthropological Society of South Australia, Special Edition: Culture Contact in Indigenous Australia edited by Amy Roberts and Daryl Wesley. Vol.42: 134-163. (December 2018).

     

    Amery, Rob (2017) Recognising the Communication Gap in Indigenous Health Care: improving shared understandings between health professionals and remote Indigenous people. Invited Perspective to the Medical Journal of Australia. 207(1): 13-15. Published 3 July 2017. DOI 10.5694/mja17.00042

                MJA Podcast 2017 Episode 32: Taking Indigenous languages seriously with Prof. Rob Amery, Vol. 207, Issue 1-7 July 2017:

                Podcast recorded 7 July 2017 with Dallas Bastian for Nursing Review. To appear late July

     

    Amery, Rob (2017) Kaurna Reclamation and Re-introduction. Revista Linguiʃtica 13 (1):262-280. ISSN 2238-975X 1. (Revista do Programa de Pós-GraduaÒ«ão em Linguística da Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro. Special issue on Educação e Revitalização Linguísticas (Language Revitalisation and Education) edited by Marcus Maia & Bruna Franchetto. DOI: ;  ; https://revistas.ufrj.br/index.php/rl/article/view/10431

     

    Aziz, Zulfadli & Rob Amery (2016) The Effects of a Linguistic Tsunami on the Languages of Aceh. SIELE Studies in English Language and Education 3(2):103-111.

     

    Amery, Rob (2014) Reclaiming the Kaurna language: a long and lasting collaboration in an urban setting. Language Documentation and Conservation. 8: 409-429. {The Role of Linguists in Indigenous Community Language Programs in Australia  special issue edited by John Henderson} ()

     

    Amery, Rob (2013) A Matter of Interpretation: Language Planning for a Sleeping Language, Kaurna, the language of the Adelaide Plains, South Australia. Language Problems and Language Planning 37 (2): 101-124.

     

    Amery, Rob (2012) Four Dresdners in South Australia in the early-mid nineteenth century: a lasting legacy for Kaurna, Ngarrindjeri and Barngarla peoples. Zeitschrift für Australienstudien 26: 47-65.

     

    Amery, Rob & Jack Buckskin (2012) A comparison of traditional Kaurna kinship patterns with those used in contemporary Nunga English. Australian Aboriginal Studies Number 1: 49-62.

     

    Amery, Rob & Jack Buckskin (2012) Handing on the teaching of Kaurna language to Kaurna Youth. Australian Aboriginal Studies Number 2: 31-41.

     

    Amery, Rob (2012) Taking to the airwaves: a strategy for language revival. In M. Ponsonnet, L. Dao & M. Bowler (Eds.) Proceedings of the 42nd Australian Linguistic Society Conference - 2011. Australian National University Canberra ACT, 5-6 December 2011. ANU Digital Collections   

     

    Amery, Rob (2009) Phoenix or Relic? Documentation of Languages with Revitalization in Mind. Language Documentation & Conservation (LD&C) December 2009 issue (Volume 3, Number 2). On-line at:

     

    Amery, Rob (2002) ‘Marginalised Relics or Dynamic Modern Languages? Emerging Issues when Australia’s Indigenous Languages Modernise.’ Babel 37(2): 10-15; 37-38. Paper presented at the Indigenous Languages Panel, AFMLTA conference, Canberra, 10 July 2001.

     

    Amery, Rob (2001) Language Planning and Language Revival. In Current Issues in Language Planning 2(2&3): 141-221. (80 page paper). I was invited to write the feature article  for a volume on that theme. My extended abstract appeared on the world wide web.

     

    Amery, Rob (1996) Kaurna in Tasmania: A Case of Mistaken Identity Aboriginal History, Vol.20: 24-50.  This paper deals with the discovery of a hitherto unrecognized Kaurna wordlist found within Robinson's Tasmanian language materials.

     

    Amery, Rob (1995) Its Ours to Keep and Call Our Own: reclamation of the Nunga languages in the Adelaide region, South Australia. In the International Journal of the Sociology of Language  volume on Australian Sociolinguistics edited by Paul Black, Isaac Brown, Brian Devlin and Stephen Harris, Issue. 113: 63-82.

     

    Amery, Rob (1993) An Australian Koine: Dhuwaya, a variety of Yolngu Matha spoken at Yirrkala in North East Arnhemland. In a special issue of the International Journal of the Sociology of Language on Koines and Koineization edited by Jeff Siegel, Issue.99: 45-64.

     

    Amery, Rob (1993) Encoding New Concepts in Old Languages: a case study of Kaurna, the language of the Adelaide Plains (1993) in Australian Aboriginal Studies  No.1: 37-47. This paper examines ways in which new concepts have been encoded into Kaurna and discusses the implications of this for language reclamation programs.

     

     

    d) Refereed Monographs

    Amery, Rob (1998) Sally and Harry: insights into early Kaurna contact history. in Aboriginal History monograph titled History in Portraits: Biographies of nineteenth century South Australian Aboriginal people. edited by Jane Simpson & Luise Hercus, 49-87.  My paper analyses the very first Kaurna wordlist recorded by the French in 1826 and the events surrounding its collection.

     

    e) Other Journal Articles

    Amery, Rob (2001) Round Pegs in Square Holes: Formalising the Teaching of Australian Indigenous Languages. In the MLTASA Newsletter, Spring 2001. Paper presented at the AFMLTA Conference, Canberra 7-10 July 2001.

     

    Amery, Rob (2000) The First Lutheran Missionaries in South Australia and their contribution to Kaurna language reclamation and the reconciliation movement. Journal of Friends of Lutheran Archives, No.10 October 2000, 30-58.

     

    Amery, Rob (1991) CASM: A Contemporary Aboriginal Education Agency Drawing on Old Traditions in Tjunguringanyi. Vol.11, No.1: 19-28. This paper deals with the philosophy of and approach to adult education at the Centre for Aboriginal Studies in Music, University of Adelaide.

     

    Amery, Rob (1986) Languages in Contact - The Case of Kintore and Papunya. In Language in Aboriginal Australia  No. 1: 13-38,  Institute for Aboriginal Development, Alice Springs. This paper deals with the relative use of varieties of English and Western Desert according to domain. The lexicon employed within the health domain is examined in detail.

     

    f) Published on the World Wide Web

    Amery, Rob (2002) Indigenous Language Programs in South Australian Schools: Issues, Dilemmas and Solutions. Paper prepared for the NSW Board of Studies. March 2002.

     

    Amery, Rob (2002) Language Reclamation and the Formulaic Method. Course presented at the Australian Linguistics Institute, Macquarie University, 8-12 July 2002. Published on the web at

     

    Amery, Rob (2003) ‘Kaurna Language & Culture’ on-line course materials.

     

    Amery, Rob (2009) Phoenix or Relic? Documentation of Languages with Revitalization in Mind. Language Documentation & Conservation (LD&C) December 2009 issue (Volume 3, Number 2, pages 138-148). On-line at:

     

    Amery, Rob (2009) Kaurna Language Reclamation and the Formulaic Method. In Wesley Y Leonard & Stelómethet Ethel B Gardner (Eds.) Language is Life. Proceedings of the 11th Annual Stabilizing Indigenous Languages Conference June 10-13, 2004 at University of California at Berkeley. Report 14, Survey of California and other Indian Languages. Pages 81-99. On line at:

     

    Amery, Rob. 2013. ‘Authenticity and correction of errors in the context of language reclamation’. History and Philosophy of the Language Sciences.

     

    Amery, Rob & Mary-Anne Gale (2014) ‘They came, they heard, they documented: the Dresden missionaries as lexicographers.’ In Zuckermann, Ghil‘ad, Miller, Julia and Morley, Jasmin (eds) 2014, Endangered Words, Signs of Revival, AustraLex. (papers from the July 2013 Australex Conference, Adelaide).

     

    g) Unpublished Papers (in circulation or given at conferences)

    Amery, Rob (2002) Language Rights - Indigenous Perspectives. To appear in a publication of the conference papers from the Conference on Education and Culture. Novotel, Hindley Street, Adelaide. Nov. 2002

     

    Amery, Rob (1996) Language Reclamation: the interaction between linguistic and social processes in the restoration of languages no longer spoken. Paper given at the Australian Linguistics Society Conference, Canberra, July 1996.

     

    Amery, Rob (1990) What Can (or should) You Do With A Dead Language. Accepted for publication in VOX, the journal of AACLAME, but not published due to discontinuation of the journal. This paper reports on the language revival program mounted in Adelaide in the local languages - Kaurna, Ngarrindjeri and Narrunga. It addresses policy issues in relation to the funding of language revival programs.

     

    h) Articles in Books

    McElvenny, James, Clara Stockigt, Rob Amery & Ghil’ad Zuckermann (forthcoming) Paper on the practical applications of a history of linguistics.

     

    Amery, Rob (forthcoming 2020) Teaching Aboriginal Languages at University – To what end? Chapter 29 in Intersections: Language Planning Pathways and Connections in Languages and Cultures edited by Jean Fornasiero, Sarah M.A. Reed, Robert Amery, Eric Bouvet, Kayoko Enomoto & Hui Ling Xu. Springer Publishers.

     

    Amery, Rob (forthcoming 2019) Language policy, Planning and standardisation. Chapter 76 in Oxford Handbook of Australian Languages.

     

    Amery, Rob and Mary-Anne Gale (forthcoming 2019) Language, identity and well-being. Chapter 81 in Oxford Handbook of Australian Languages.

     

    Amery, Rob (2019) Wanti nintu’ai kapakapa? (Where do you push me to?) Emotional responses to the re-emerging Kaurna linguistic landscape in the City of Adelaide. In Katie Barclay & Jade Riddle (eds.) Urban Emotions and the Making of the City: Interdisciplinary Perspectives. Advances in Urban Studies series, Routledge.

     

    Amery, Rob & Katrina Karlapina Power (2019) The Role of Land, Fire and Water in the Kaurna Cultural and Linguistic Renaissance. In Dany Adone, Melanie Brück & Bentley James (eds.) Fire, Water and Land in Indigenous Cultures of Australia. Centre for Australian Studies, University of Cologne.

     

    Amery, Rob (2018) Revitalization of Kaurna. Chapter 32 pp. 330-341 in Routledge Handbook of Language Revitalization. Routledge, Oxford, UK. Publication Date: 9/2/2018.

     

    Amery, Rob (2018) The Homecoming of an Indigenous Australian Diaspora as Impetus for Language Revival: the Kaurna of the Adelaide Plains, South Australia. Invited paper for a Special Issue (Editors: Kathleen Heugh, Angela Scarino and Christopher Stroud) on Southern Theory of Current Issues in Language Planning. (RCLP) DOI: 10.1080/14664208.2018.1503390. . Accepted for publication 18 July 2018. Published 28 July 2018. Article ID: RCLP 1503390

     

    Amery, Rob (forthcoming) The Trail of Discovery of Kaurna Language Source Material. to appear in Kaurna Linguistics Special Issue of the Australian Journal of Linguistics edited by Ian Green.

     

    Amery, Rob (2016) The Kaurna Diaspora and its Homecoming: Understanding the loss and re-emergence of the Kaurna language of the Adelaide Plains, South Australia. Chapter 34 in Peter K. Austin, Harold Koch and Jane Simpson (eds) Language, Land and Song: Studies in honour of Luise Hercus. London: EL Publishing. pp. 505-522. [proofs Oct 2016] ISBN 9780-7286-04063. Electronic version first published March 2017. URL:

     

    Amery, Rob (forthcoming) Directions of Language Shift at Yirrkala in North East Arnhem Land. To appear in McConvell & Amery Eds.Can Aboriginal Languages Survive? This paper deals with the future of Yolngu Matha at Yirrkala and whether or not a creole is likely to develop.

     

    Amery, Rob (2015) Kaurna. In Nicola Grandi & Livia Körtvélyessy (eds) Edinburgh Handbook of Evaluative Morphology. Edinburgh University Press, 423-429.

     

    Amery, Rob & Vincent (Jack) Kanya Buckskin (2014) Pinning down Kaurna names: linguistic issues arising in the development of the Kaurna Place Names Database. Trends in Toponymy Conference: Indigenous Identity and Theoretical Developments in Placenames Research, University of Ballarat November 2007. In I.D. Clark, L. Hercus, L. Kostanski (eds) Indigenous and Minority Place Names – Australian and International Perspectives. ANU ePress & Aboriginal History Inc., Canberra, 187-212.

     

    Amery, Rob & Mary-Anne Gale (2014) They Came, They Heard, They Documented: The Dresden Missionaries as Lexicographers. Australex Adelaide: Endangered Words, and Signs of Revival, 25-28 July 2013.

     

    Amery, Rob & Jack Kanya Buckskin (2013) Having it Both Ways: Towards recognition of the Kaurna language movement within the community and within the university sector.  Proceedings of FEL XVII Endangered Languages Beyond Boundaries: Community Connections, Collaborative Approaches, and Cross-Disciplinary Research. The Seventeenth Conference of the Foundation for Endangered Languages: Ottawa, Canada. October 2013.

     

    Amery, Rob (2012) The History of Aboriginal Languages and Linguistics at the University of Adelaide. In Nick Harvey, Jean Fornasiero, Greg McCarthy, Clem Macintyre & Carl Crossin (Eds.) A History of Arts at the University of Adelaide, 1876-2012. University of Adelaide Press, 265-297.

     

    Amery, Rob (2010) Monitoring the Use of Kaurna, the Language of the Adelaide Plains. In John Hobson, Kevin Lowe, Susan Poetsch & Michael Walsh (eds.) Re-awakening Languages: Theory and practice in the revitalization of Australia’s Indigenous languages. Sydney University Press. Pages 56-66.

     

    Amery, Rob (2009) Kaurna Language Reclamation and the Formulaic Method. In Wesley Y Leonard & Stelómethet Ethel B Gardner (Eds.) Language is Life. Proceedings of the 11th Annual Stabilizing Indigenous Languages Conference June 10-13, 2004 at University of California at Berkeley. Report 14, Survey of California and other Indian Languages. Pages 81-99. On line at:

     

    Amery, Rob (2009) Phoenix or Relic? Documentation of Languages with Revitalisation in Mind. Paper presented on 12th March 2009 at the 1st International Conference on Language Documentation and Conservation (ICLDC) East-West Centre, University of Hawai’i at Manoa, Honolulu.

     

    Amery, Rob, Vincent (Jack) Buckskin and Bill Watt (forthcoming) Mapping Kaurna Names on GoogleEarth. Paper presented at the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Spatial Information (ATSISI) Workshop, University of South Australia, 27 Nov. 2008. (Conference Proceedings to be edited by Paul Corcoran)

     

    Amery, Rob & Mary-Anne Gale (2008) Language Revival in Australia. In William McGregor (ed.) Encountering Aboriginal Languages: Studies in the History of Australian Linguistics, Pacific Linguistics, 339-382.

     

    *Simpson, Jane, Mary-Anne Gale & Rob Amery (2008) I Could Have Saved You Linguists a lot of Time and Trouble: 178 years of Research and Documentation of South Australia’s Indigenous Languages, 1826 – 2004. In William McGregor (ed.) Encountering Aboriginal Languages: Studies in the History of Australian Linguistics, Pacific Linguistics, 85-144.

     

    Amery, Rob (2007) Aboriginal Language Habitat in Research and Tertiary Education. In The Language Habitat of Aboriginal Australia edited by Gerhard Leitner & Ian Malcolm. Mouton de Gruyter, Berlin, 226-244.

     

    Amery, Rob & Dennis O’Brien (2007) Funeral liturgy as a strategy for language revival. In Jeff Siegel, John Lynch & Diana Eades (eds.) Linguistic Description and Linguistic Applications: Studies in Memory of Terry Crowley. John Benjamins, 457-467. (Chapter 34)

     

    Amery, Rob & Alitya Wallara Rigney (2007) Collaborative Language Revival – the work of Kaurna Warra Pintyandi (Adelaide Plains, South Australia).  Proceedings of FEL XI Working Together for Endangered Languages: Research Challenges and Social Impacts. The Eleventh Conference of the Foundation for Endangered Languages: Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Rumah University, University of Malaya 26-28th October 2007. Pages 21-28.

     

    Amery, Rob (2006) Directions for Linguistic Research: Forging Partnerships in Language Development and Expansion of the Domains of Use of Australia’s Indigenous Languages. In Denis Cunningham, D.E Ingram and Kenneth Sumbuk (eds.) Language Diversity in the Pacific: Endangerment and Survival, Multilingual Matters, Clevedon, 162-179. [Paper presented at the UNESCO Conference in Melbourne, 26-28 April 2001 contributing towards the UNESCO World Languages Report.]

     

    Amery, Rob & Peter Mühlhäusler (2006) Koeler’s Contribution to Kaurna Linguistics. In Peter Mühlhäusler  (ed.)Hermann Koeler’s Adelaide. Observations on the Language and Culture of South Australia by the First German Visitor.  Australian Humanities Press, Unley, 25-48

     

    Amery, Rob & Lester Irabinna Rigney (2006) Recognition of Kaurna cultural heritage in the Adelaide Parklands: A linguist’s and Kaurna academic’s perspective.  Proceedings of The Adelaide Parklands Symposium: A balancing act: past - present – future. University of South Australia, Adelaide. 10 November 2006. Pages 12-26.

     

    Amery, Rob (2004) Beyond Their Expectations: Teichelmann and Schürmann’s efforts to preserve the Kaurna language continue to bear fruit.[1] In Walter F. Veit (ed) The Struggle for Souls and Science. Constructing the Fifth Continent: German Missionaries and Scientists in Australia.. STREHLOW RESEARCH CENTRE, ALICE SPRINGS: OCCASIONAL PAPER NUMBER 3, 9-28.

     

    Amery, Rob (2004) Early Christian Missionaries – Preserving or Destroying Indigenous Languages and Cultures? Commissioned paper written for Holy Holy Holy exhibition, Flinders University, 2004. In Vivonne Thwaites (ed.) Holy Holy Holy Flinders University City Gallery, 36-45.

     

    Amery, Rob (2002) Weeding out Spurious Etymologies: Toponyms on the Adelaide Plains. In L. Hercus, F. Hodges and J. Simpson, eds, The land is a map: placenames of Indigenous origin in Australia, 165-180. Canberra: Pacific Linguistics, 2002.

    .

    Amery, Rob & Georgina Yambo Williams (2002) Reclaiming Through Renaming: The Reinstatement of Kaurna Toponyms in Adelaide and the Adelaide Plains. In L. Hercus, F. Hodges and J. Simpson, eds, The land is a map: placenames of Indigenous origin in Australia, 255-276. Canberra: Pacific Linguistics, 2002.

     

    Amery, Rob (forthcoming) Introduction. Was to appear in Barry Blake (ed) Handbook of Australian Languages. A discussion of the nature of linguistic research and descriptive studies of language description and implications for language maintenance and revival. Various approaches to language maintenance and revival are investigated drawing particularly on the Kaurna experience.

     

    Amery, Rob (2001) Aboriginal Languages (pp.8-10) and Clamor Wilhelm Schürmann (pp.478-479) in Wakefield Companion History of South Australia, Wakefield Press, Adelaide.

     

    Amery, Rob (2000) 'Reclaiming the Kaurna Language' pp.30-40 in Footprints in the Sand compiled by Yvonne Allen, Holdfast Bay Reconciliation Group. (includes a section on Kaurna placenames and Kaurna words used elsewhere in the booklet).

     

    Amery, Rob (1998) Case Study 3.1 (Reclaiming Kaurna: Overcoming Temporal Isolation) pp.85-90 in Towards Successful Language Learning in Schools: A Collection of Case Studies, Department of Education Training and Employment.

     

    Mühlhäusler, Peter & Rob Amery (1996) Koines and Indigenous Lingue Franche in Australia. pp.17-23 in Stephen A Wurm, Peter Mühlhäusler & Darrell T. Tryon (Eds.) Atlas of Languages of Intercultural Communication in the Pacific, Asia and the Americas,  Trends in Linguistics Documentation 13, Mouton de Gruyter, Berlin.

     

    Amery, Rob & Peter Mühlhäusler (1996) Pidgin English in New South Wales. pp.33-51 in Stephen A Wurm, Peter Mühlhäusler & Darrell T. Tryon (Eds.) Atlas of Languages of Intercultural Communication in the Pacific, Asia and the Americas,  Trends in Linguistics Documentation 13, Mouton de Gruyter, Berlin.

     

    Clark, Ian D., Peter Mühlhäusler & Rob Amery (1996) Language Contacts and Pidgin English in Victoria. pp.53-68 in Stephen A Wurm, Peter Mühlhäusler & Darrell T. Tryon (Eds.) Atlas of Languages of Intercultural Communication in the Pacific, Asia and the Americas,  Trends in Linguistics Documentation 13, Mouton de Gruyter, Berlin.

     

    Mercurio, Antonio & Rob Amery (1996)  Can Teaching Languages at Senior Secondary Level Help to Maintain and Strengthen Australia's Indigenous Languages. pp.25-57 in Jonathan David Bobaljik, Rob Pensalfini & Luciana Storto (eds.) MIT Working Papers in Linguistics, Vol. 28 Papers on Language Endangerment and the Maintenance of Linguistic Diversity. Paper presented jointly with Antonio Mercurio at the World Indigenous People's Conference on Education, Wollongong  13-17 December 1993.

     

    Amery, Rob & Nick Thieberger (1996) The Distribution of Australian Languages. Chapter 3, pp.39-58 in David Nathan (ed.) Australia's Indigenous Languages. SSABSA, Wayville. Printed by Wakefield Press, Adelaide.

     

    Amery, Rob & Mary-Anne Gale (1996) Words: A Window on Australian Languages. Chapter 6, pp.107-136 in David Nathan (ed.) Australia's Indigenous Languages. SSABSA, Wayville. Printed by Wakefield Press, Adelaide.

     

    Amery, Rob (1996) Language Connections. Chapter 8, pp.161-178 in David Nathan (ed.) Australia's Indigenous Languages. SSABSA, Wayville. Printed by Wakefield Press, Adelaide.

     

    Amery, Rob (1996) Language Reclamation and Revival. Chapter 9, pp.179-202 in David Nathan (ed.) Australia's Indigenous Languages. SSABSA, Wayville. Printed by Wakefield Press, Adelaide.

     

    Amery, Rob (1995) Making use of Historical Language Materials. pp. 147-164 in Nick Thieberger (ed.) Paper and Talk: A manual for reconstituting materials in Australian indigenous languages from historical sources. Aboriginal Studies Press, Canberra. Paper presented at the AIATSIS workshop Working with Australian Indigenous Languages that are no longer spoken right through., March 1993.

     

    Amery, Rob (1994) Heritage and Second Language Programs. pp.140-162 in Deborah Hartman & John Henderson (Eds.) Aboriginal Languages in Education. IAD Press, Alice Springs.

     

    Amery, Rob & Jane Simpson (1994) Kaurna. pp.144-172  in Thieberger & McGregor (Eds.) Macquarie Aboriginal Words. Macquarie Library, Sydney. This Kaurna chapter was written in consultation with Kaurna Plains School and members of the Kaurna community. The majority of the work was done by Jane Simpson. I wrote the introduction, advised on the vocabulary to be included and consulted with the Nunga community.

     

    Amery, Rob & Colin Bourke (1993) Australian Languages: Our Heritage.  - a chapter (pp. 102-122) and video script written for the Aboriginal Studies: Windows on Indigenous Australia  Open Learning series currently screening on ABC TV. The chapter appears within the Study Guide and Readings published by Open Learning and in a text by University of Queensland Press. Revised edition 1997 (pp.122-146).

     

    Amery, Rob (1992) Retrieving Cultural and Linguistic Heritage: Revival and Resurrection of Aboriginal Languages. Paper delivered at the 9th National Languages Conference, Beaufort Hotel, Darwin, July 6th-9th 1992 and Centre for Studies of Language in Education (CSLE) seminar, NTU on 25 Sept.1992. Published in 9th National Languages Conference, Conference Proceedings (pp.40-47).

     

    Amery, Rob (1981) Billiluna Walmatjarri wordlist. In Sourcebook for Central Australian Languages 1981. Compiled by Kathy Menning and David Nash (eds.). Pilot edition, November. Alice Springs: I.A.D. Machine-readable version deposited at ASEDA, AIATSIS, including vocabularies in Microsoft Excel spreadsheet.

     

     

    Conference Proceedings

    Amery, Rob (2014) A New Lease of Life: 25 years of reclaiming and re-introducing a forgotten language in metropolitan Adelaide, South Australia. 2014 Tȃi-Uȃn Gí-giȃn Kap Kàu-hȧk Kok-tsè Hȧk-sut Giȃn-thó-huē: Proceedings of the 10th International Symposium on Taiwanese Languages and Teaching, Chengkung University, Tainan, Taiwan. Vol. 1: 1.1 – 1.26. (Invited Keynote address)

     

    Aziz, Zulfadli A & Rob Amery (2015) A Linguistic Tsunami: an early warning system for languages at risk. The 5th international Conference Syiah Kuala University (AIC-UNSYIAH), Darussalam, Banda Aceh, Indonesia, 274-280.

     

    Aziz, Zulfadli A & Rob Amery (2016) A Survey of the Status of the Local Languages of Pulau Simeulue and Pulau Banyak and their Use within the Community. Proceedings of the 1st English Education International Conference (EEDIC) in conjunction with the 2nd Reciprocal Graduate Research Symposium (RGRS) of Consortium Asia Pacific Education Universities (CAPEU) between University Pendidikan Sultan Idris and Syiah Kuala University Nov. 12-13, 2016, Banda Aceh, Indonesia.

    How to cite: AZIZ, Zulfadli A.; AMERY, Robert. A survey on the status of the local languages of Pulau Simeulue and Pulau Banyak and their use within the community. Proceedings of English Education International Conference, [S.l.], v. 1, n. 2, p. 487-490, nov. 2016. ISSN 2527-8037. Available at: <>. Date accessed: 13 dec. 2017.

     

    i) Reports

    Amery, Rob (2000) Kaurna Dreamings. A report prepared for the Kaurna Aboriginal Community and Heritage Association Inc. under the Reviving the Dreaming project funded by the National Estates Grant program.

     

    Patrick McConvell, Rob Amery, Mary-Anne Gale, Christine Nicholls, Jonathan Nicholls, Lester Irabinna Rigney and Simone Ulalka Tur (2002) “Keep that Language Going!” A Needs-Based Review of the Status of Indigenous Languages in South Australia. A consultancy carried out by the Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies for the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Commission, South Australia.

     

    Mühlhäusler, Peter, Rob Amery, Silvia Schwarz, Julia Winefield, Irabinna Rigney and Greg Wilson (2004) Ecological Issues in Language Revival.  Report from the NCSRP project investigating Ecological Issues in Language Revival: Syllabus Development and Learner Motivation. Department of Education and Children’s Services, Adelaide.

     

    Amery, Rob & Peter Mühlhäusler (2005) Cost Benefit Analysis of Kaurna Language Reclamation. Prepared for the Department of Communication, Information Technology and the Arts (Maintenance and Promotion of Indigenous Languages Programme) as part of the SA Language Planning Overview.

     

    Amery, Rob with Mary-Anne Gale (2005) Language Overview & Resource Guide for Kaurna, the language of the Adelaide Plains of South Australia. Prepared for the Department of Communication, Information Technology and the Arts (Maintenance and Promotion of Indigenous Languages Programme).

     

    Pat Waria-Read & Rob Amery with Mary-Anne Gale (2005) Language Overview & Resource Guide for Ngadjuri, the language of the mid-north of South Australia. Prepared for the Department of Communication, Information Technology and the Arts (Maintenance and Promotion of Indigenous Languages Programme).

     

    j) Curriculum Materials

    AUSTRALIA'S INDIGENOUS LANGUAGES FRAMEWORK (October 1996) - a national curriculum project for accreditation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander languages at Year 11 and 12, SSABSA, Wayville. [I was the writer working at the direction of a National Steering Committee]

     

    AUSTRALIA'S INDIGENOUS LANGUAGES IN PRACTICE (October 1996) - a national curriculum project for accreditation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander languages at Year 11 and 12, SSABSA, Wayville. [I wrote the Kaurna exemplar which includes specific units of work on Place Names and Kaurna Kinship]

     

    Greg Wilson, Guy Tunstill, Rob Amery, Lester Irabinna Rigney & Simone Ulalka Tur (2003) Australian Indigenous Languages Scope and Standards, South Australian Curriculum, Standards and Accountability (SACSA) Framework. Prepared for and published by the Department of Education, Training and Employment, South Australia.

     

    ABORIGINAL LANGUAGE ISSUES Unit (1989): Study Guide, Unit Information booklet and sets of Readings have been compiled. This unit was written for the B.A. and Ass. Dip in Aboriginal Studies offered by ASTEC at the South Australian College of Advanced Education. (Entirely my own work.)

     

    EAL 502 Language in Society. External unit consisting of a Study Guide, Unit Information and selected readings written jointly with Dr. Stephen Harris for offer within the Graduate Diploma of Applied Linguistics, N.T.U. May, 1992. [Two thirds of the work is mine, one third is Stephen Harris's]

     

    Language Reclamation and Language Awareness modules within the unit EAL 551 Teaching Australian Indigenous Languages to be offered within the Graduate Diploma of Applied Linguistics, N.T.U., January 1996.

     

    Kaurna Language & Language Ecology resource materials.

    Materials include Kaurna Language Learning Tapes and Transcripts; three volumes of readings; unit outline. Print materials are entirely my own work. Kaurna Language Learning Tapes recorded by Rob Amery, Cherie Watkins & Lester Rigney. 1997.

     

    Kaurna Language & Culture on-line course materials. (2003)

     

    Aboriginal Culture and History G on-line course materials (2003)

    [Jointly written by Lynn Webber and Rob Amery with input from Penny Taylor and Keith McConnochie]

     

    Aboriginal Health and Culture on-line course materials (2003)

    [Prepared by Constance Bathgate and Rob Amery with Penny Taylor]

     

     

    k) Resource Materials:

    Amery, Rob (1986) YOLNGU MATHA: For Use by Members of the Health Profession in North East Arnhemland. NT HEALTH, Darwin.  61 pages. Contains: useful expressions for use by health professionals in dealing with Yolngu patients; a detailed vocabulary of body parts, body functions, diseases and related domains; anatomical diagrams labelled with English and Yolngu Matha; Yolngu Matha explanation for some common medical procedures and useful references.

     

    Ngarrindjeri, Narrunga and Kaurna Languages Project (1990) Narrunga, Kaurna & Ngarrindjeri Songs (Songbook and tape) Collaborative production by Kathryn Gale, Josie Agius, Rob Amery, Chester Schultz, Leigh Newton, Snooky Varcoe & Chris Crothers.

     

    Amery, Rob ed. (1995) WARRA KAURNA: A Resource for Kaurna Language Programs. Inbarendi College, Elizabeth. Includes a reprint of Teichelmann & Schürmann (1840) together with a Kaurna Wordlist organised by Topic and Subject area and Notes on Spelling and Pronunciation.

     

    Amery, Rob ed. (1997) WARRA KAURNA: A Resource for Kaurna Language Programs. Inbarendi College, Elizabeth. Revised and expanded edition. (Includes recent neologisms and sections on Base 10 number system; quantification of time; sports terminology.)

     

    Amery, Rob ed. (2003) WARRA KAURNA: A Resource for Kaurna Language Programs. 3rd edition revised and expanded. Kaurna Warra Pintyandi, c/- University of South Australia. Reprinted September 2005, Image & Copy Centre, The University of Adelaide. (Includes corrections, addition of introductory notes about the Kaurna language, translations and protocols, timeline of significant events, recent neologisms and sections on modern clothing, modern artifacts and new technologies.)

     

    DECS (1997) Warranna Purruna — Pa:mpi Tungarar — Living Languages video. (I served as a member of the reference group overseeing the production of the video, wrote parts of the script and prepared all the Kaurna language input on the video.)

     

    Schultz, Chester, Nelson Varcoe & Rob Amery (1999) Kaurna Paltinna: A Kaurna Songbook A book and accompanying tape of 25 Kaurna songs produced in collaboration with Chester Schultz, Snooky Varcoe, Cherie Watkins and students and staff of Kaurna Plains School and Para West Adult Campus of Inbarendi College. Includes guide to pronunciation and comprehensive historical notes. (Reprinted, January 2004)

     

    Amery, Rob & Mary-Anne Gale (2000) Kaurna Warra Pintyandi. Ngadluko Perko. Kaurna Language Workshop Report. Kaurna Warra Yellakaitya- Developing the Kaurna Language for Contemporary Situations. Interim Report. Aboriginal Education Unit, Enfield, November 2000. For publication, January 2004.

     

    Amery, Rob & Alice Wallara Rigney with Nelson Varcoe, Chester Schultz and Kaurna Warra Pintyandi (2006) Kaurna Palti Wonga – Kaurna Funeral Protocols. (book, CD & Sympathy Cards) Kaurna Warra Pintyandi, Adelaide. (launched on 20 May 2006)

     

    Amery, Rob & Jane Simpson with Trent Wanganeen, Vincent (Jack) Buckskin, Jamie Goldsmith and Kaurna Warra Pintyandi (2007) Kulluru Marni Ngattaitya – Sounds Good to Me. A Kaurna Learner’s Guide. Draft Prototype Version. Kaurna Warra Pintyandi, Adelaide. [Final version to be published by Wakefield Press, Kent Town]

     

    Waria-Read, Pat, Rob Amery, Mary-Anne Gale & Guy Tunstill (2009) Ngadjuri Wordlist. Ngadjuri Walpa Juri Lands and Heritage Association, Adelaide.

     

    Waria-Read, Pat & Mary-Anne Gale with Trudie-May Shettell (2009) Ngadjuri Picture Dictionary. [+CD] Ngadjuri Walpa Juri Lands and Heritage Association, Adelaide. [Rob Amery was Project Manager and Linguistic Consultant]

     

    l) Translations:

    Amery, Rob (1986) Translation into Gumatj and Djambarrpuyngu of the N.T. Health booklets: The VD Book for Female Health Workers and The VD Book for Male Health Workers. I added a section on AIDS at the rear in English and Yolngu Matha.

     

    Amery, Rob (1995) Maikoko Birko Kaurna translation of Tucker's Mob a children's story written by Christobel Mattingley, published by Omnibus Books, Adelaide.

     

    m) Conference Papers and Invited Lectures: (incomplete)

    Amery, Rob and Jack Kanya Buckskin (2019) ‘Re-Awakening Kaurna, the language of the Adelaide Plains: Strategies and methods.’ Research Unit for Indigenous Languages (RUIL) & Centre of Excellence for the Dynamics of Language (CoEDL) Public Lecture, University of Melbourne. 5th Dec. 2019.

     

    Amery, Rob (2019) ‘The Role of the Tertiary Sector in Supporting Indigenous Languages: Re-Awakening Kaurna.’ MELC Roundtable discussion with Prof. Rachel Nordlinger: Aboriginal Languages: Challenges and opportunities for education in South Australia, Hawke Centre, UniSA, 31st Oct. 2019.

     

    Amery, Rob (2019) ‘Language is More Than Communication: Why we should maintain the mother tongue and promote linguistic diversity.’ Keynote Address, 9th Annual International Conference (AIC) and 2nd English Education International Conference (EEIC), Universitas Syiah Kuala, Banda Aceh. 18th September 2019.

     

    Amery, Rob (2019) ‘Re-Awakening Kaurna: the language of the Adelaide Plains’ Intercultural Intersections, Australian Academy of Humanities, Elder Hall, University of Adelaide. 27th August 2019.

     

    Amery, Rob and Kira Yaltu Bain (2019) ‘The Easy, the Difficult and the Near-Impossible. Strategies for Addressing Requests for Kaurna Translations.’ Puliima conference, Darwin. 21st Aug. 2019.

     

    Amery, Rob (2019) The Kaurna Children’s Letters 1840-1843 to the Dresden Mission Society: their significance and background. Friends of the University of Adelaide Library, Discovery Event. 25th July 2019.

     

    Amery, Rob (2019) The Kaurna Language Movement. Guest lecture to American exchange students accompanied by Andrew Fisher.

     

    Amery, Rob (2019) ‘Re-Awakening Kaurna’ Research Tuesdays lecture, University of Adelaide. 14th May 2019.

     

    Amery, Rob (2019) ‘The Kaurna Language Movement5’ UNESCO Club, St Andrews School, Walkerville. 6th May 2019.

     

    Amery, Rob and Zulfadli A. Aziz (2019) ‘Enumeration and Classifiers in Pulau Simeulue/Pulau Banyak Languages, Aceh, Conference of Anthropological Linguistics in Asia (CALA), Siem Riep. 23rd January 2019.

     

    Amery, Rob (2018) ‘Lost Connections Regained: Holdings of Kaurna artefacts, archival correspondence and natural history collections aid in re-establishing the links between Germany and Adelaide’ DAAD/Humboldt Fellows – Research Event, BSL, University of Adelaide. 29th May 2018.

     

    Gale, Mary-Anne, Jane Simpson, Rob Amery & David Wilkins (2018) What Women Want: Understanding the functions of pronouns in Ngarrindjeri in the world as it was, and as it will be. ALW2018 Camp Marysville. 3rd March, 2018.

     

    Amery, Rob (2017) Wanti nintu’ai kapakapa? (Where do you push me to?) The emergence of Kaurna in the emotional landscape of the city of Adelaide as a result of the re-introduction of the Kaurna language. Mapping the Emotional Cityscape: Spaces, Performances and Emotion in Urban Life. University of Adelaide, 18 Sept. 2017.

     

    Amery, Rob (2017) The Formulaic Method. Living Our Languages, Abercrombie Building, University of Sydney. 29th June 2019.

     

    Amery, Rob & Jack Kanya Buckskin (2017) Kaurna in the Archives. Living Our Languages, Mitchell Library Sydney. 28th June 2019.

     

    Amery, Rob (2017) Collaborative Research: the engine for the Kaurna language movement. Faculty of Arts Research Forum, University of Adelaide.

     

    Amery (2016) Indonesian Loanwords in Acehnese. ALS Conference, Monash University.

     

    Amery (2016) Symmetry and Complementarity in Several Lesser-known Languages: Kaurna, Adelaide Plains and Sigulai, Devayan, Leukon and Haloban from Pulau Simeulue and Pulau Banyak, Aceh, Indonesia. International Society for the Interdisciplinary Study of Symmetry. SymmAdelaide2016. 10th International Congress-Festival Symmetry: Art and Science Special Theme: Urban Harmony. Adelaide, 1-6 December 2016.

     

    Amery, Rob (2016) Seeking the Pure Form: Attitudes to contact languages in the documentation of Australia’s Indigenous languages. Society for the History of Linguistics in the Pacific SHLPS, Universität Potsdam. 6 Sept. 2016

     

    Amery, Rob (2016) Seminar on Language Acquisition, Universitas Syiah Kuala, Banda Aceh (30 August 2016 9am – 12noon)

     

    Amery, Rob (2016) Kaurna Dictionary Project. Linguistics PG Seminar Series, University of Adelaide.

     

    Aziz, Zulfadli & Rob Amery (2015) A Linguistic Tsunami: an early warning system for languages at risk. The 5th Annual International Conference. Syiah Kuala University, Darussalam – Banda Aceh, Indonesia, 10 September 2015.

     

    Amery, Rob (2015) Endangered Languages Workshop: Languages of Australia; Australian Indigenous Languages in Education; Reintroducing a Sleeping Language: Kaurna. Syiah Kuala University, Darussalam – Banda Aceh, Indonesia, 5 September 2015.

     

    Amery, Rob (2015) Reintroducing a Sleeping Language: Kaurna. Australian Corner language centre – Banda Aceh, Indonesia, 3 September 2015.

     

    Amery, Rob (2015) Koeler and the Dresdners: the contrasting views towards Indigenous peoples of five early German visitors/arrivals in South Australia. Savage Worlds? German Understandings of Non-European Peoples, 1815-1918 Conference, Flinders University, Adelaide, 29 June 2015.

     

    Amery, Rob (2015) Serendipitous Discoveries in Deutschland. DAAD event, Ira Raymond Room, Barr Smith Library, University of Adelaide, 14th May 2015.

     

    Amery, Rob (2015) Why Bother Reviving a ‘Dead’ (Sleeping) Language: What has 25 years of Kaurna language revival achieved? University of Adelaide Philosophy Club invited seminar presentation, 25th March 2015.

     

    Amery, Rob (2014) Australian Indigenous Languages at the University of Adelaide. ALS Pre-day Discussion, Learning Indigenous Languages – can universities help? University of Newcastle, 9th Dec. 2014.

     

    Amery, Rob (2014) A New Lease of Life: 25 years of reclaiming and re-introducing a forgotten language in metropolitan Adelaide, South Australia. Invited plenary speaker at the 10th International Symposium on Taiwanese Languages and Teaching, Chengkung University, Tainan, Taiwan. 26 October 2014. (plus lectures in Taipei, Siraya Peoples Association Green Valley, Taitung National University and Dong Hwa University, Hua Lien)

     

    Amery, Rob (2014) Colonial Response to the Kaurna and links to the Language Project which has seen the reclamation and revival of the Kaurna language (A Story of Dispossession, Alienation, Reconnection and a Celebration of Survival). Australian Association for Mission Studies conference, Tabor Adelaide. 2nd Oct. 2014.

     

    Amery, Rob (2014) Kaurna Intercultural Communication. Lecture in Jonathan Crichton’s Intercultural Communication course, University of South Australia. Tues. 9th Sept. 2014.

     

    Amery, Rob (2014) Kaurna Language Revival. Lecture in Christine Nichol’s Australian Studies course, Flinders University. Tues. 2nd  Sept. 2014.

     

    Amery, Rob (2014) The Diaspora Returns: The crystallization of a Kaurna linguistic identity. RCLC Symposium Diversities, Affinities and Diaspora. UniSA. 18th August 2014.

     

    Amery, Rob (2013) Endangered Languages, Endangered Meanings. Invited Discussant. ANU, Canberra, 8-9th November 2013.

     

    Amery, Rob & Jack Kanya Buckskin (2013) Having it Both Ways: Towards recognition of the Kaurna language movement within the community and within the university sector. Foundation for Endangered Languages (FEL) conference, Ottawa, Canada. 1-4th October 2013.

     

    Amery, Rob & Mary-Anne Gale (2013) They Came, They Heard, They Documented: The Dresden Missionaries as Lexicographers. Australex Adelaide: Endangered Words, and Signs of Revival, 25-28 July 2013.

     

    Amery, Rob (24th July, 2013) ‘Seeing’ language alive in Adelaide: the case of the Kaurna language reclamation’. Art & Heritage Collections Cultural Symposium, ‘In-Between: the University of Adelaide, German Missionaries and Aboriginal People – 175 Years of Language Reclamation in South Australia’. Ira Raymond Room, BSL. (along with presentations by Lewis O’Brien, Lois Zweck and Rev Volker Dally)

     

    Amery, Rob 27th July 2013 ‘Pirltawardli: Where it all began. Lexicography in South Australia’ spoke at this event, along with Lois Zweck, Volker Dally, Jack Buckskin, Katrina Power, Taylor Power-Smith etc.

     

    Amery, Rob (2013) The Role of a Tertiary-Level Course in the Re-awakening of Kaurna, a Sleeping Language. Policies, Practices and Research in University Language and Culture Programs. Languages and Cultures Network for Australian Universities (LCNAU). Australian National University, Canberra. 3-5th July 2013.

     

    Amery, Rob (2012) Symposium: Language and Wellbeing: Perspectives on education, health and related fields. Research Centre for Languages and Cultures (RCLC), University of South Australia, 3-4 December 2012.

     

    Amery, Rob, Alitya Wallara Rigney & Karl Winda Telfer (2012) Lost Connections Regained: Holdings of Kaurna artefacts, archival correspondence and natural history collections aid in re-establishing the links between Germany and Adelaide. Museums Australia National Conference. 24-28th September 2012.

     

     

    Amery, Rob (2012) The Re-introduction of a ‘sleeping’ language: Kaurna, the original language of Adelaide, capital city of South Australia. Session 166: Indigenous Minority Languages in Urban Areas. Freie Universität, Berlin. 22-24 August 2012.

     

    Amery, Rob (2012) Kaurna Language Reclamation. Guest lecture in Australian Languages: Issues & Debates. Flinders University, 14th August 2012.

     

    Amery, Rob (2012) Rebuilding the Connections with the Dresden Mission Society, now Leipzig Mission: a lasting legacy for Kaurna, Ngarrindjeri and Barngarla peoples of South Australia. Australian History Association (AHA) conference, University of Adelaide. 9th July 2012.

     

    Amery, Rob (2012) One Too Many Firsts? A history of Aboriginal languages and linguistics at the University of Adelaide. Society for the History of Linguistics in the Pacific (SHLP) Conference, Barr-Smith Library Ira Raymond Room, University of Adelaide, 5-6th July 2012.

     

    Amery, Rob & Trevor Ritchie (2012) An Introduction to Speaking Kaurna. Art & Heritage Collections Cultural Symposium. Barr-Smith Library Rare Books and Special Collections. 2-5pm Wed. 4th July 2012.

     

    Amery, Rob, Alitya Rigney & Jack Buckskin (2012) Submission from Kaurna Warra Pintyandi (KWP) to Public Hearing, Inquiry into language learning in Indigenous communities. Adelaide Town Hall, David Spence Room. Monday 2nd April 2012.

     

    Amery, Rob, Alitya Rigney & Karl Telfer (2012) Kaurna-Ngarrindjeri Exchange Program to Germany in August 2011. Friends of Lutheran Archives (FoLA), Bethlehem House, Sudholz Place, Adelaide, 27th February, 2012.

     

    Amery, Rob (2011) ‘Taking to the Airwaves: a strategy for language revival’. Australian Linguistics Society conference in LangFest. University of Canberra, 1st Dec. 2011.

     

    Amery, Rob (2011) Monitoring the use of Kaurna in the public domain. Australex Annual Conference, ANU Canberra 29 Nov. 2011.

     

    Amery, Rob & Jack Kanya Buckskin (2011) ‘Re-establishing Kaurna Across the Generations’. AIATSIS National Indigenous Studies Conference, 20 September, 2011.

     

    Amery, Rob (2011) ‘The Application of Dual-Naming to Kaurna Toponyms.’ Australian National Placenames Survey Workshop, Adelaide, 2 September 2011. (to appear in a volume on Kaurna Linguistics edited by Rob Amery)

     

    Amery, Rob (2011) Keynote address for 175 year anniversary of the Foundation of the Dresden Mission Society entitled ‘Die Arbeit der evangelisch-lutherischen Mission Dresden bildet die Grundlage für die Neubelebung von Sprachen in Südaustralien.’ Dreikönigskirche, Dresden. 17th August 2011.

     

    Amery, Rob (2011) ‘Kaurna Language Reclamation: Attempts to re-introduce the Indigenous language of the Adelaide Plains and the work of Kaurna Warra Pintyandi (KWP)’.  Guest lecture in Linguistics, University of Leipzig, 15th August 2011.

     

    Amery, Rob (2011) ‘Unforeseen Success: the work of the Dresden Mission Society in South Australia, 1838-1858. (Christian Teichelmann, Clamor Schürmann, Samuel Klose & Heinrich Meyer)’. German-Australian Connections Network invited lecture. Ira Raymond Room, Barr Smith Library, 21st June 2011.

     

    Amery, Rob (2011) Presentation entitled ‘Die Arbeit der evangelisch-lutherischen Mission Dresden bildet die Grundlage für die Neubelebung von Sprachen in Südaustralien.’ (The work of the Dresden Mission Society provides a foundation for the revival of languages in South Australia), Lutheran Evangelical Mission,Leipzig.

     

    Amery, Rob (2011) Presentation entitled ‘Die Arbeit der evangelisch-lutherischen Mission Dresden bildet die Grundlage für die Neubelebung von Sprachen in Südaustralien.’ (The work of the Dresden Mission Society provides a foundation for the revival of languages in South Australia), Naturkundemuseum Mauritianum, Altenburg. 

     

    Amery, Rob (2011) Departmental Seminar ’Kaurna: An Awakening Language in the Public Domain’ Endangered Languages Documentation Program, School of Oriental & African Studies (SOAS), London University, 3.30 - 5pm, Tues 18th January 2011.

     

    Amery, Rob (2011) Presentation on Kaurna Language Revitalisation, Languages Support & Revitalisation seminar, School of Oriental & African Studies (SOAS), London University, 11am-1pm, Tues 18th January 2011.

     

    Amery, Rob (2011) Presentation on ‘Australian Languages Research & Teaching in Germany’, Reception of International Scholars, Neuen Senatssaal, Universität zu Köln, 13th January 2011.

     

    Amery, Rob (2010) Seminar entitled ‘Mapping Kaurna Placenames and Language in the Public Domain with GoogleEarth’ Linguistics Department, Universität zu Köln, 6th December 2010.

     

    Amery, Rob (2010) Seminar entitled ‘‘Kaurna Language Reclamation: Attempts to Re-introduce the Indigenous Language of the Adelaide Plains and the work of Kaurna Warra Pintyandi.’ Linguistics Department, University of Leiden, 3rd December 2010.

     

    Amery, Rob (2010) Ned Madrell Guest Lecture for Manx Language Week entitled: ‘Kaurna Language Reclamation: Attempts to Re-introduce the Indigenous Language of the Adelaide Plains and the work of Kaurna Warra Pintyandi.’ Manx Language Foundation, Isle of Man, 20th November 2010.

     

    Amery, Rob (2010) ‘The Australian Indigenous Languages Framework as a Model for the Introduction of Minority Languages into National Curriculum.’ Australian Studies Lecture Series, Universität zu Köln, 4th November 2010.

     

    Amery, Rob (2010) Presentation entitled ‘Early German Contributions to the Study of Kaurna: Christian Teichelmann, Clamor Schürmann &  Samuel Klose’ at the Tagung der Regionalgruppe Ozeanien der Deutschen Gesellschaft für Völkerkunde e.V. conference, Universität zu Köln, 15th October 2010.

     

    Amery, Rob & Jack Kanya Buckskin (2010) ‘Strategies for Reintroducing Languages No Longer Spoken’. 3-day workshop presented at the 2010 Institute for Field Linguistics and Language Documentation (InField 2010), University of Oregon, 22-24 June.

     

    Amery, Rob & Jack Kanya Buckskin (2010) Kaurna, South Australia plenary presentation in the ‘Models for Language Documentation and Revitalisation workshop’. workshop presented at the 2010 Institute for Field Linguistics and Language Documentation (InField 2010), University of Oregon, 23 June.

     

    Amery, Rob & Jack Kanya Buckskin (2010) Mapping Names and the Use of Indigenous Languages on Google Earth: Recent innovations in Kaurna, the language of the Adelaide Plains, South Australia. Stabilising Indigenous Languages Conference, University of Oregon, 25 June.

     

    Amery, Rob (2009) ‘Authenticity and Language Revival: ‘purist’ and ‘realist’ perspectives in Kaurna language reclamation.  In Colloquium chaired by Ghil’ad Zuckermann titled ‘Stop. Revive, Survive!: Lessons from the Hebrew Revival Applicable to the Resuscitation of  No-Longer Spoken Aboriginal Languages’. Free Linguistics Conference, University of Sydney, 11th October, 2009. (Other speakers: Michael Walsh, Jane Simpson & Kevin Lowe).

     

    Amery, Rob & Vincent (Jack) Kanya Buckskin (2009) Kaurna Kinship Patterns Reflected in Contemporary Nunga Life. AIATSIS National Indigenous Studies Conference 2009. Perspectives on Urban Life: Connections and Reconnections (Kinship Workshop). 30th September 2009.

     

    Amery, Rob & Vincent (Jack) Kanya Buckskin (2009) Handing on the Teaching of Kaurna Language to Kaurna Youth. AIATSIS National Indigenous Studies Conference 2009. Perspectives on Urban Life: Connections and Reconnections (Language Revitalisation Workshop). 1st October 2009.

     

    Amery, Rob (2009) Thura-Yura Languages of South Australia. DECS Aboriginal Languages Conference. 21st August 2009, National Wine Centre, Adelaide.

     

    Amery, Rob (2009) Phoenix or Relic? Documentation of Languages with Revitalisation in Mind. Paper presented at the 1st International Conference on Language Documentation and Conservation. Supporting Small Languages Together. University of Hawai’i at Manoa, 12-14 March 2009. Submitted for publication in Language Documentation & Conservation.

     

    Amery, Rob & Emilie O’Brien (2008) Strategies for Re-introducing Sleeping Languages. Indigenous Languages Institute of LingFest 2008, 8-10 July 2008 Koori Centre, University of Sydney.

     

    Amery, Rob & Alitya Wallara Rigney (2007) Collaborative Language Revival – the work of Kaurna Warra Pintyandi (Adelaide Plains, South Australia).  FEL XI Working Together for Endangered Languages: Research Challenges and Social Impacts. The Eleventh Conference of the Foundation for Endangered Languages: Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Rumah University, University of Malaya 26-28th October 2007. (paper delivered by Rob Amery & Jack Buckskin 26 October 2007).

     

    Amery, Rob & Vincent (Jack) Kanya Buckskin (2007) Pinning down Kaurna names: linguistic issues arising in the development of the Kaurna Place Names Database. Trends in Toponymy Conference: Indigenous Identity and Theoretical Developments in Placenames Research, University of Ballarat November 2007.

     

    Amery, Rob & Vincent (Jack) Kanya Buckskin (2007) Pinning down Kaurna names: linguistic issues arising in the development of the Kaurna Place Names Database. AUSTRALEX conference, University of Adelaide, 25 September 2007.

     

    Amery, Rob & Lester Irabinna Rigney (2006) Recognition of the Kaurna cultural heritage of the Adelaide Parklands: A linguist’s and Kaurna academic’s perspective. Progress to date and future initiatives. Adelaide Parklands Symposium: A balancing act: past - present – future Co-presented by: The Centre for Settlement Studies, Louis Laybourne Smith School of Architecture and Design, UniSA, The Bob Hawke Prime Ministerial Centre, UniSA, Adelaide Parklands Preservation Association. Friday 10 November 2006 University of South Australia, City East Campus: Basil Hetzel Building, Mutual Community Theatre (H2-02)

     

    Amery, Rob (2006) Indigenous Science and Maths. Paper given at the Science & Mathematics Action Learning Projects. Conference, August 18th 2006. Adelaide Zoo, Lyrebird Function Room

     

    Amery, Rob (2004) Kaurna Language Reclamation and the Formulaic Method. Paper given at the 11th Stabilising Indigenous Languages Conference, University of California, Berkeley, June 2004. See Leonard & Gardner eds. (2009). (refereed paper)

     

    Amery, Rob (2004) Kaurna Language Reclamation:  Lessons Learned from Attempts to Re-introduce the Indigenous Language of the Adelaide Plains. Departmental Lecture, Victoria University, B.C., Canada. November 2004.

     

     Amery, Rob (2004) The Australian Indigenous Languages Framework (AILF) project: an inclusive model for accommodating the teaching of Indigenous languages in schools. The Departmental and Community Lecture, Victoria University, B.C. Canada. November 2004.

     

    Amery, Rob (2004) The Loss of Indigenous Languages as a Global Issue: What are we losing? What can be done about it? The Public Lecture, Victoria University, B.C. Canada. November 2004.

     

    Amery, Rob & Lester Irabinna Rigney (2004) 'Authenticity in Language Revival'. Paper presented at the Applied Linguistics Association of Australia (ALAA) annual conference held at the University of South Australia, 17th July 2004.

     

    Amery, Rob (2003) Reclamation of Kaurna. Conference/workshop on the establishment of a NSW Aboriginal Languages Database, NSW Aboriginal Languages Centre, Tranby College, Glebe.

     

    Amery, Rob (2002) Language Rights - Indigenous Perspectives. To appear in a publication of the conference papers from the Conference on Education and Culture. Novotel, Hindley Street, Adelaide. Nov. 2002.

     

    Amery, Rob (2001b) 'Regenerating a Kaurna Literature'. Paper presented at the AULLA Conference, University of Adelaide, February 2001.

     

    Amery, Rob & Cherie Warrara Watkins (2001) Kaurna language reclamation. Gamilaraay/Yuwaalaraay conference, Tamworth, 21-24 August 2001.

     

    Workshops

    Mary-Anne Gale, Rob Amery & Jack Buckskin (2019) Intensive Kaurna Workshop. Tauondi College, 8-9th October 2019.

     

    Rob Amery (2019) Introduction to Kaurna Workshop. PVC International Gabrielle Rolan and Deputy Director International Business Development Rishan Shekar, UniSA, 101 Currie Street, 23rd July 2019.

     

    Rob Amery & Mary-Anne Gale (conveners) (2018) Training Pathways and Career Pathways for Teachers of Australian Indigenous Languages and Indigenous Language Workers. ALS Workshop, UniSA, 10th Dec. 2018.

     

    Mary-Anne Gale, Rob Amery & Jack Buckskin (2013) TAFE Certificate III ‘Learning an Endangered Aboriginal Language (Kaurna)’ Workshop #5. Port Adelaide TAFE, 15-19th April 2013.

     

    Mary-Anne Gale, Rob Amery & Jack Buckskin (2012) TAFE Certificate III ‘Learning an Endangered Aboriginal Language (Kaurna)’ Workshop #4. Relationships Australia SA, Hindmarsh, 17th – 21st December 2012.

     

    Mary-Anne Gale, Rob Amery & Jack Buckskin (2012) TAFE Certificate III ‘Learning an Endangered Aboriginal Language (Kaurna)’ Workshop #3. Relationships Australia SA, Hindmarsh, 24-28th September 2012.

     

    Amery, Rob & Taylor Power-Smith (2012) Kaurna Sounds & Spellings and Introducing Kaurna language to young children. Kaurna Plains Children’s Centre, 19th July 2012.

     

    Mary-Anne Gale, Rob Amery & Jack Buckskin (2012) TAFE Certificate III ‘Learning an Endangered Aboriginal Language (Kaurna)’ Workshop #2. Relationships Australia SA, Hindmarsh, 9-13th July 2012.

     

    Mary-Anne Gale, Rob Amery & Jack Buckskin (2012) TAFE Certificate III ‘Learning an Endangered Aboriginal Language (Kaurna)’ Workshop #1. University of Adelaide, 10-14th & 25th April 2012.

     

     

    Websites

    Kaurna Warra Pintyanthi webpages:

     

    Kaurna pages under Reconciliation on the Adelaide City Council website at

    (includes History, Welcomes, Public Art, Place Naming, Walking Trails, Organisation Names, Past Events and Defunct Names)

     

    Kaurna Placenames website mapping Kaurna placenames on GoogleEarth maps at developed in conjunction with Kaurna Heritage Board, Geographical Names Unit, City of Onkaparinga, City of Marion, City of Holdfast Bay and Yankalilla Council through the Tappa Iri agreement.

     

    Kaurna Language in the Public Arena Post 1980 webpages on GoogleEarth maps

     

    MOOC: Language Revival: Securing the Future of Endangered Languages.

    (Week 4: Kaurna case study) 2015

    Professor Ghil‘ad Zuckermann and Assoc. Prof. Rob Amery’s free MOOC (Massive Open Online Course) Language Revival: Securing the Future of Endangered Languages passed the 10k mark at the beginning of 2018. It has so far attracted 15,000 learners from 190 countries: 


     

    [1] This paper is based on an earlier paper entitled ‘The First Lutheran Missionaries in South Australia: Their contribution to Kaurna language reclamation and the reconciliation movement’ which was published in the Journal of Lutheran Archives No. 10, October 2000: 30-58.

  • Community Engagement

    Rob Amery has been working with the Kaurna language and the Kaurna community continuously since 1989. Together with Dr Lewis Yerloburka O'Brien, Dr Alitya Wallara Rigney and others he established Kaurna Warra Pintyanthi (KWP) in 2002. (see www.adelaide.edu.au/kwp)

    In 2007, Dr Rob Amery was awarded a UNESCO Certificate of Achievement for his work in Linguistics. Specifically, his award was in recognition of "the documentation both of the Kaurna language and aspects of the traditions of the Kaurna Plains people and the development of language revival resources".

  • Media Expertise
    CategoriesAboriginal & Indigenous Issues, Language & Literacy
    ExpertiseKaurna language; Language revival; Language reclamation; Indigenous languages; Endangered languages; Kaurna placenames; Indigenous languages in education
    NotesConsultant linguist and convener of Kaurna Warra Pintyandi which meets regualrly each month at the University of Adelaide to discuss requests for names and translations; Developed the national senior secondary Australian Indigenous Languages Framework; Moderator for Australian Languages, SACE Board.
    UNESCO Club Achievement Award 2007.
    Lansdowne Fellow, Victoria University, BC, Canada, 2004.

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Entry last updated: Tuesday, 29 Mar 2022

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