Research Unit for Indigenous Language

Congratulations to Faith Baisden on being awarded an AM in the King's Birthday 2026 Honours List: For significant service to Indigenous language preservation and education.

This is an excellent article by RUIL's Maria Karidakis and team about the importance of using culturally appropriate metaphors in health communication. Fascinating reading!

Culturally relevant messaging matters for First Nations peoples A flowing river for arteries, a bare boab tree for depression. A collaborative project in the Kimberley with the University of Melbourne shows how listening before we speak can improve health outcomes for Aboriginal people

Let the Language Speak: A Journey into Djukun. Jaala Ozies talking about reviving Djukun in Broome, including our 50 words project in her work.

Let the Language Speak: A Journey into Djukun - Reconciliation Australia This talk centres on language revitalisation, exploring challenges, community efforts, and the significance of reclaiming Djukun for future generations.

When a language ceases to be spoken, we lose more than words.

Now, a multi-million dollar gift – the largest ever for Australian language research – is fuelling vital work to document and promote Indigenous languages across the country.

The late Mr Duncan Leary’s generous bequest to the UniMelb Research Unit for Indigenous Language ensures that irreplaceable cultural knowledge is protected for future generations and made accessible to everyone to learn.

Learn more about the 50 Words Project and how it is making a lasting difference → unimelb.me/3Po0CSW

First Nations man's bedtime story for his sons revives dying language Five years ago, Gudjala man Braithen Knox began learning his mob's language, which has fewer than 10 speakers. Now a father of two, he is passing it on to his sons through bedtime stories.

https://pmn.co.nz/read/language-and-culture/gasav-ne-faeeag-rotuam-ta-calls-for-urgent-action-or-language-could-be-lost-forever

Gasav Ne Fäeag Rotuạm Ta: Calls for urgent action or language could be 'lost forever' Rotuman Language Week opened in Aotearoa on Sunday with a community leader warning the language is at risk of being lost unless it is spoken, taught, and passed on to younger generations.

https://www.theguardian.com/science/2026/may/10/what-happens-when-we-lose-a-language?CMP=fb_gu&utm_medium=Social&utm_source=Facebook&fbclid=IwY2xjawRt3kBleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETFWZDlLWmp1U1BSbmI0YlFqc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMDg5MgABHr42_lSYtjSEcImVmtGW5VA5kx4UHNyk1ugiI9iVM3_HAPYkjwQEoNqkpEJN_aem_A5kAM-MPYPq1ZNdND3DNvg =1778420089

What happens when we lose a language? A staggering 44% of human languages are endangered – with culture, tradition and whole ways of understanding the world at stake

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/18uSxKUuHF/

Language is identity. Language is Country.

Batchelor Institute sees the Centre for Australian Languages and Linguistics (CALL) record Elders’ knowledge and supports programs like the Pertame Master-Apprentice project so First Nations languages continue to thrive.

These efforts feed straight into Batchelor Press resources used in our classrooms.

Batchelor Institute of Indigenous Tertiary Education (RTO 0383)

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