Flexible IT resources for community language reclamation in culturally appropriate contexts

This paper describes work utilising information technology developed by Cat
Kutay and computing students at the University of New South Wales to support
two different Aboriginal language programs in Sydney under the guidance of
community tutors – George Fisher who teaches Wiradjuri and Richard Green
who teaches Dharug. These languages are in the process of being reclaimed from archival resources, supported by the remaining speakers. Each language presents unique challenges. While the New South Wales Department of Education, Department of Aboriginal Affairs and Board of Studies have supported these languages in schools, it is also important to develop programs where the parents and community are involved in reclaiming the languages to ensure the process is ongoing. This work is located in both contexts. We discuss our experience using computing resources to promote the sharing of language, situating it in the field of research into computer-mediated human interaction.