Djugun and Broome communities celebrated the launch of the new Djugan Language Audio Dictionary as part of NAIDOC Week at Lotteries House on July 9.

The dictionary represents the culmination of three years work to revitalise the language beginning with the 50 Words in Djukun children’s book in mid-2023 which was published late last year.

Following the success of the publication, the community-led audio dictionary project was produced with expert advice from Yale University Linguistics and Anthropology Professor Claire Bowern, the University of Melbourne’s Indigenous Languages Research Unit and Djugun elders.

Djugun community members from around Australia and abroad lent their voices to record the list of Djugan language words in the dictionary which were first documented by anthropologist Daisy Bates and Djugun and Ngumbarl elder Billingee in 1901.

A companion book co-authored by Djugun elder Mary Ozies and project co-ordinator Jaala Ozies containing various Djugun language words was also launched alongside the dictionary.

Project co-ordinator Jaala Ozies said the dictionary project represented an opportunity to revive the “sleeping” Aboriginal language.

“In the past, Aboriginal people from across Australia were denied speaking their language,” she said.

“Our language revitalisation efforts is a form of resistance to the erasure of the Djugun identity in Broome and will strengthen our connection to our ancestral homelands on Djugun country to ensure the legacy of our ancestors lives on for generations to come.”

Djugun elder Mary Ozies said the audio dictionary would help to keep Djugun culture alive.

“As part of the 50 years NAIDOC celebrations I am proud that Djugun members were able to launch their Djugun Language Audio Dictionary and book as part of their language revitalisation and keeping Djugun culture strong,” she said.

To purchase Djugun books and find out more about the dictionary, contact Djukun Nation at djukunnation@gmail.com.