Limmud Oz 2021

Discover a linguistic game-changer: revivalistics, a new global trans-disciplinary field of enquiry surrounding language reclamation, revitalization and reinvigoration. I will make a strong case for a clear distinction between revivalistics and documentary linguistics, the latter being the established field recording endangered languages before they fall asleep. Whilst documentary linguistics puts the language at the centre, revivalistics puts the language custodians at the centre. The session will be divided into two main parts, reflecting my own journey into language revival from the "Promised Land" to the "Lucky country": from analysing critically the Israeli language to reclaiming what I call “dreaming, sleeping beauties” in Australia and globally. I will end with a plea to listen to Jenna Richards, an Aboriginal woman who takes part in my Barngarla reclamation workshops: “I found the experience of learning our language liberating... it gave me a sense of identity... a purpose in life”.