Tricksters and Traditions: Jawoyn Stories and Story-tellers of southern Arnhemland

Abstract

This volume contains a set of stories told in Jawoyn, a highly endangered language of southern Arnhem Land. (Some stories contain interpellations from a neighbouring and related language, Binij Gun-Wok). The stories were recorded at various times during the compiler’s extended research association with the area and its people, thus over decades from the 1980s onwards. The volume consists of 4 sections setting out (1) the background to the language, speakership and region; (2) a set of biographies of the four speakers represented in the volume; (3) the stories themselves, in column mode with Jawoyn on one side and free English translation on the other, for maximally easy reading; and (4) a linguistically detailed version of all stories with grammatical analysis of the Jawoyn original. The set of stories is linked to audio files of each story, so that readers may listen to the original renditions as they read. The collection also has 3 regional maps and 10 photographs to enhance understanding of the region and the speakers. Show more