People Fixing the World - Bringing dead languages back to life

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Australia used to be one of the most linguistically diverse places, with over 200 languages. Today, many of Australia’s indigenous languages are considered “highly endangered”.

Inspired by his native language, Hebrew, Ghil’ad Zuckermann is a linguistics professor who is on a mission to revive Australia’s dead and endangered languages, painstakingly piecing them back together from historical documents.

We speak to Ghil’ad and Shania Richards from the Barngarla community, whose language is being brought back from the brink.

Presenter: Myra Anubi Reporter/producer: Josephine Casserly Producers: Claire Bates & Craig Langran Series producer: Tom Colls Sound mix: Annie Gardiner Editor: Penny Murphy

Email: peoplefixingtheworld@bbc.co.uk Image: Shania Richards from the Barngarla community

Published on Tuesday, 10th January 2023.

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