Life after death: Exploring the birth of Gurindji Kriol, a new Aboriginal mixed language (2009-2013)
Abstract
In a world where it is estimated that half of the world's 7000 languages will be lost by the end of the century, it is exciting to discover a newly emergent language. Gurindji Kriol is only 30 years old and is a rarely observed type of language spoken in Australia. It combines two languages: a traditional Indigenous language, Gurindji and an English-based creole, Kriol. Just how this language took form is the focus of this project. This project will result in a description of the social and linguistic processes which contributed to the emergence of this and other 'mixed' languages.
