Augmentative and alternative communication for Aboriginal Australians: Developing core vocabulary for Yolŋu speakers

Rebecca Amery; Julie Gungunbuy Wunungmurra; Parimala Raghavendra; Gurimanu Bukulatjpi; Rachel Baker; Farrah Gumbula; Ruth Barker; Deborah Theodoros; Howard Amery; Libby Massey; Anne Lowell

doi:10.1080/07434618.2022.2128410

Augmentative and alternative communication for Aboriginal Australians: Developing core vocabulary for Yolŋu speakers

Rebecca Amery, Julie Gungunbuy Wunungmurra, Parimala Raghavendra, Gurimanu Bukulatjpi, Rachel Baker, Farrah Gumbula, Ruth Barker, Deborah Theodoros, Howard Amery, Libby Massey, Anne Lowell

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5 Citations (Scopus)

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Abstract

Yolŋu, Aboriginal people from Arnhem Land, Australia are at risk of Machado-Joseph disease, with progressive loss of speech. Yolŋu are interested in developing augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) systems in their own languages. This research aimed to develop a culturally responsive process to explore and create a core vocabulary word list for Yolŋu adults living with the disease for inclusion in AAC system prototypes. A list of 243 Yolŋu words and morphemes was created. In this highly collaborative, mixed methods, participatory action research, Balanda (the Yolŋu word for non-Aboriginal people) and Yolŋu researchers conducted cycles of transcription and analysis of a language sample, with oral group discussions to identify which words to include, omit, or add, based on Yolŋu perceptions of the structure and use of their languages. A Yolŋu metaphor, Gulaka-buma (“Harvesting yams”), was identified by Yolŋu researchers to represent and share the research process and findings. Three key themes were identified that summarize the main cultural and linguistic considerations related to changes made to the core vocabulary. Study findings emphasized the role of language as an expression of culture and identity for Indigenous peoples and the importance of considering cultural and linguistic factors in selecting vocabulary for AAC systems.

Original language	English
Pages (from-to)	209-220
Number of pages	12
Journal	Augmentative and Alternative Communication
Volume	38
Issue number	4
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1080/07434618.2022.2128410
Publication status	Published - 4 Jan 2023

Bibliographical note

Funding Information:
The research team would like to acknowledge and thank the participants for giving their time and sharing their knowledge. The researchers would also like to thank the MJD Foundation for their ongoing financial and logistical support, and the Yolŋu Studies team at Charles Darwin University for their contribution checking the original transcription and audio recordings for this study. This research was part of the first author’s Ph.D.

Funding Information:
This work was supported by RTP Scholarship. The research team would like to acknowledge and thank the participants for giving their time and sharing their knowledge. The researchers would also like to thank the MJD Foundation for their ongoing financial and logistical support, and the Yolŋu Studies team at Charles Darwin University for their contribution checking the original transcription and audio recordings for this study. This research was part of the first author’s Ph.D.

Publisher Copyright:
© 2023 The Author(s). Published by Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Group.

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10.1080/07434618.2022.2128410

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Cite this

Amery, R., Wunungmurra, J. G., Raghavendra, P., Bukulatjpi, G., Baker, R., Gumbula, F., Barker, R., Theodoros, D., Amery, H., Massey, L., & Lowell, A. (2023). Augmentative and alternative communication for Aboriginal Australians: Developing core vocabulary for Yolŋu speakers. Augmentative and Alternative Communication, 38(4), 209-220. https://doi.org/10.1080/07434618.2022.2128410

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abstract = "Yol{\ng}u, Aboriginal people from Arnhem Land, Australia are at risk of Machado-Joseph disease, with progressive loss of speech. Yol{\ng}u are interested in developing augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) systems in their own languages. This research aimed to develop a culturally responsive process to explore and create a core vocabulary word list for Yol{\ng}u adults living with the disease for inclusion in AAC system prototypes. A list of 243 Yol{\ng}u words and morphemes was created. In this highly collaborative, mixed methods, participatory action research, Balanda (the Yol{\ng}u word for non-Aboriginal people) and Yol{\ng}u researchers conducted cycles of transcription and analysis of a language sample, with oral group discussions to identify which words to include, omit, or add, based on Yol{\ng}u perceptions of the structure and use of their languages. A Yol{\ng}u metaphor, Gulaka-buma (“Harvesting yams”), was identified by Yol{\ng}u researchers to represent and share the research process and findings. Three key themes were identified that summarize the main cultural and linguistic considerations related to changes made to the core vocabulary. Study findings emphasized the role of language as an expression of culture and identity for Indigenous peoples and the importance of considering cultural and linguistic factors in selecting vocabulary for AAC systems.",

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author = "Rebecca Amery and Wunungmurra, {Julie Gungunbuy} and Parimala Raghavendra and Gurimanu Bukulatjpi and Rachel Baker and Farrah Gumbula and Ruth Barker and Deborah Theodoros and Howard Amery and Libby Massey and Anne Lowell",

note = "Funding Information: The research team would like to acknowledge and thank the participants for giving their time and sharing their knowledge. The researchers would also like to thank the MJD Foundation for their ongoing financial and logistical support, and the Yol{\ng}u Studies team at Charles Darwin University for their contribution checking the original transcription and audio recordings for this study. This research was part of the first author{\textquoteright}s Ph.D. Funding Information: This work was supported by RTP Scholarship. The research team would like to acknowledge and thank the participants for giving their time and sharing their knowledge. The researchers would also like to thank the MJD Foundation for their ongoing financial and logistical support, and the Yol{\ng}u Studies team at Charles Darwin University for their contribution checking the original transcription and audio recordings for this study. This research was part of the first author{\textquoteright}s Ph.D. Publisher Copyright: {\textcopyright} 2023 The Author(s). Published by Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Group.",

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Amery, R, Wunungmurra, JG, Raghavendra, P, Bukulatjpi, G, Baker, R, Gumbula, F, Barker, R, Theodoros, D, Amery, H, Massey, L & Lowell, A 2023, 'Augmentative and alternative communication for Aboriginal Australians: Developing core vocabulary for Yolŋu speakers', Augmentative and Alternative Communication, vol. 38, no. 4, pp. 209-220. https://doi.org/10.1080/07434618.2022.2128410

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AU - Amery, Rebecca

AU - Wunungmurra, Julie Gungunbuy

AU - Raghavendra, Parimala

AU - Bukulatjpi, Gurimanu

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AU - Gumbula, Farrah

AU - Barker, Ruth

AU - Theodoros, Deborah

AU - Amery, Howard

AU - Massey, Libby

AU - Lowell, Anne

N1 - Funding Information: The research team would like to acknowledge and thank the participants for giving their time and sharing their knowledge. The researchers would also like to thank the MJD Foundation for their ongoing financial and logistical support, and the Yolŋu Studies team at Charles Darwin University for their contribution checking the original transcription and audio recordings for this study. This research was part of the first author’s Ph.D. Funding Information: This work was supported by RTP Scholarship. The research team would like to acknowledge and thank the participants for giving their time and sharing their knowledge. The researchers would also like to thank the MJD Foundation for their ongoing financial and logistical support, and the Yolŋu Studies team at Charles Darwin University for their contribution checking the original transcription and audio recordings for this study. This research was part of the first author’s Ph.D. Publisher Copyright: © 2023 The Author(s). Published by Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Group.

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N2 - Yolŋu, Aboriginal people from Arnhem Land, Australia are at risk of Machado-Joseph disease, with progressive loss of speech. Yolŋu are interested in developing augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) systems in their own languages. This research aimed to develop a culturally responsive process to explore and create a core vocabulary word list for Yolŋu adults living with the disease for inclusion in AAC system prototypes. A list of 243 Yolŋu words and morphemes was created. In this highly collaborative, mixed methods, participatory action research, Balanda (the Yolŋu word for non-Aboriginal people) and Yolŋu researchers conducted cycles of transcription and analysis of a language sample, with oral group discussions to identify which words to include, omit, or add, based on Yolŋu perceptions of the structure and use of their languages. A Yolŋu metaphor, Gulaka-buma (“Harvesting yams”), was identified by Yolŋu researchers to represent and share the research process and findings. Three key themes were identified that summarize the main cultural and linguistic considerations related to changes made to the core vocabulary. Study findings emphasized the role of language as an expression of culture and identity for Indigenous peoples and the importance of considering cultural and linguistic factors in selecting vocabulary for AAC systems.

AB - Yolŋu, Aboriginal people from Arnhem Land, Australia are at risk of Machado-Joseph disease, with progressive loss of speech. Yolŋu are interested in developing augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) systems in their own languages. This research aimed to develop a culturally responsive process to explore and create a core vocabulary word list for Yolŋu adults living with the disease for inclusion in AAC system prototypes. A list of 243 Yolŋu words and morphemes was created. In this highly collaborative, mixed methods, participatory action research, Balanda (the Yolŋu word for non-Aboriginal people) and Yolŋu researchers conducted cycles of transcription and analysis of a language sample, with oral group discussions to identify which words to include, omit, or add, based on Yolŋu perceptions of the structure and use of their languages. A Yolŋu metaphor, Gulaka-buma (“Harvesting yams”), was identified by Yolŋu researchers to represent and share the research process and findings. Three key themes were identified that summarize the main cultural and linguistic considerations related to changes made to the core vocabulary. Study findings emphasized the role of language as an expression of culture and identity for Indigenous peoples and the importance of considering cultural and linguistic factors in selecting vocabulary for AAC systems.

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KW - cultural and linguistic considerations

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Augmentative and alternative communication for Aboriginal Australians: Developing core vocabulary for Yolŋu speakers

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