Part-parti mirring-yi app for iPhone and iPad

This app features Aboriginal bird knowledge from the closely-related Dhauwurd Wurrung, Djargurt Wurrung, Kee Wurrung, Kirrae Wurrung, Kuurn Kopan Noot, Peek Wurrung and Wooloowoorroong languages/dialects of south west Victoria. Although these languages are no longer spoken, language revival is underway through education activities in schools and communities, delivered by the local Laka Gunditj Language Program and other initiatives. Interactive digital tools and apps are also being developed to facilitate language revival (See Victorian Aboriginal Corporation for Languages (VACL) website http://www.vaclang.org.au for examples of apps featuring creation stories from country for these languages).

The app has been created as a tool for learning about language, culture and the natural environment. Included for the 48 featured bird species are Aboriginal names (both written and as a sound file), scientific and common names, and sound files of the bird calls. Aboriginal knowledge of and connections with these birds is also described. Each of the Aboriginal languages/dialects are noted by the following abbreviations: Dhauwurd Wurrung (T), Djargurt Wurrung (TY), Kee Wurrung (KE), Kirrae Wurrung (KR), Kuurn Kopan Noot (K), Peek Wurrung (P) and Wooloowoorroong (W).

Compilation of archival and present-day Aboriginal bird knowledge for south west Victorian languages was undertaken by the Glenelg Hopkins Catchment Management Authority (CMA) in collaboration with the Laka Gunditj Language Program, the Eastern Maar Nation and Gunditj Mirring Traditional Owners. Eastern Maar and Gunditj Mirring Traditional Owner groups approved publication of this information in the CMA’s Woodland Bird Identification Booklet and in the Part-parti Mirring-yi (Birds in Country) app.

The app has been developed in partnership with the Research Unit for Indigenous Language (RUIL) at the University of Melbourne and the NT Language Support program at Batchelor Institute, Alice Springs, as part of the ‘Getting in Touch’ project. The Getting in Touch project was jointly funded by the Melbourne Social Equity Institute (The University of Melbourne), RUIL (Research Unit for Indigenous Language, The University of Melbourne), BI (The Batchelor Institute of Indigenous Tertiary Education) and FLA (First Languages Australia). The project was supported by Glenelg Hopkins CMA through funding from the Australian Government National Landcare Programme. Many thanks to the Laka Gunditj Language Program who provided bird names and species identification information from their South West Aboriginal Languages Program database.

App name, mentoring of bird language name speakers and other linguistic expertise: Joel Wright (Laka Gunditj Language Program)
Audio of Aboriginal language bird names spoken by: Judith Ahmat, Janice Austin, Richard L. Bamblett, Evon Barker, Shane Bell, Mariah Briggs, Roslyn Clarke-Britton, R. Locky Eccles, Sherry Johnstone, Denise Lovett, Nason Lovett-Murray, Tyson Lovett-Murray, Dale MacDonald, Debbie Malseed, Tracey Onus Bamblett, Denis Rose, Greg Shelton, Raylene Walker and Joel Wright
Language names recording: Debbie Loakes (RUIL)
Photo credits: Dean Ingwersen, Chris Tzaros, Andrew Silcocks and Rob Drummond (© Birdlife Australia)
Birdcall audio: David Stewart (Nature Sounds)
App development: Ben Foley
Project Coordination: Ada Nano (Consultant Ecologist), Jane Walker (GHCMA) and Jenny Green (RUIL)
Species identification, research, compilation and editing: Ada Nano, Joel Wright and Jane Walker
Community engagement and logistic support: Joel Wright and Ada Nano

Artwork credit:
ponponpooramook (red tailed black cockatoo)
limited edition copperplate etching, hand coloured
© Vicki Couzens 2007

ngayook leerpeen (white cockatoo song)
limited edition copperplate etching
© Vicki Couzens 2007

Indigenous information presented within this app remains the property of relevant Traditional Owner groups and should not be republished without their permission.