The Australian Indigenous Languages Database (Austlang) has gone online incorporating google maps in a bit of a mash-up.
The database contains the following on each Indigenous Language
* alternative/variant names and spellings
* history of the number of speakers
* geographical distribution
* classifications from various sources
* resources
* documentation
* programs
* researchers
The search function is great. You can either type in an Indigenous language or an Australian place name. If you use an Australian place name you can then select a search radius. The map shows the Indigenous languages spoken in the area.
As an example I searched for ‘Swan Hill’ in Victoria and selected to heck or languages in a 25km radius. The Wemba Wemba and Wadi Wadi languages were found.
I immediately obtain basic information on neighbouring languages, dialects and other information.
It is a great resource for those working or interested in our (mainly) slowly dying indigenous languages.
I have also written on ‘Language and Health‘, ‘Languages of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People‘ and ‘Indigenous Languages‘
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