Bilingual Books

Burramatta: Eel Place

Salt Water to Fresh Water Dreaming - Darug Gunyalungalung

Burramatta—Eel Place is the latest title from Batchelor Institute Press. The book is an introduction to the Darug language from the Sydney region through the story of the life-cycle of the Burra (eel) after which Burramatta (Parramatta: matta = place) is named. The book has been authored and illustrated by Ceane Towers who is a member of and advocate for the Darug people and who also has connections with Wiradjuri and Gamilaraay peoples.

Nilaburnda Nabungkawa

The Frog Prince

Nilaburnda Nabungkawa is an adaptation in the Anindilyakwa langugage from Groote Eylandt of the well-known classic fairytale 'The Frog Prince' first published by the Brothers Grimm in 1812. Anindilyakwa speaker/interpreter Sylvia Wurramarrba Tkac (co-author/illustrator) has joined forces with Binh Van Phan (co-author) and Katarznyna Kolodynska (illustrator) to produce a charming and highly polished bilingual version of this tale, retold in a tropical Groote Eylandt setting and with Anindilyakwa characters.

Ngulajuku!

Tiger's story of how Nyirrpi came to be

This wonderfully illustrated book in Warlpiri and English is based on an interview with the late Tiger Japaljarri Morris, an interview initially conducted by Fiona Napaljarri Gibson in 2001 as part of a Warlpiri research project consulting elders and community members about their thoughts on language and education. Some 20-odd years later the humour and wisdom of Tiger's insights are brought to life through the work of Fiona Gibson and Angela Harrison for the Institute's Centre for Aboriginal Languages and Linguistics (CALL).

Dhawun Ngamingami-lda-nha

Looking After Country

Dhawun Ngamingami-lda-nha (Looking After Country) is a children's book in Gamilaraay and English which addresses the environmental impact of feral animals in Australia. The book is the work of first-time published author Merinda Walters, a Gamilaraay artist and educator who developed the concept as part of her environmental science degree. Darby is Merinda's young Gamilaraay guide who informs the reader about the threat of cane toads, feral pigs, feral cats, yellow crazy ants and many other dhii gagil (bad animals), and what to do if you come across them.

Miwal ga Djambuwal

Spirit Woman and Spirit Boy

Miwal ga Djambuwal is a story from the Marrangu Djinang people of Central Arnhem Land which tells the travels of a Spirit Woman (Miwal) and a Spirit Boy (Djambuwal) through Marrangu Djinang country, naming places, looking for sugarbag, hunting frill-necked lizard, and meeting other Spirit figures such as the Djangkawu Sisters who play a central role in Yolngu mythology. Featuring original illustrations by the book's author, Stanley Rankin, this version is presented in Djinang and English languages and includes a word list.

A Kriol elfabet frieze based on the Kriol Sound Chart poster (http://batchelorpress.com/node/387) recently updated and developed with the Meigim Kriol Strongbala program in the Ngukkur community, NT. The frieze is laminated both sides for extra durability and measures almost five metres in length and approx. 20 centimetres high. It comes packaged in a custom, stickered tube. A handsome addition to the Kriol learning classroom or for those with an interest in Top End Aboriginal languages. The frieze is also complemented by a set of Kriol elfabet flaschards (sold separately): http://batchelorpress.com/node/400 Image shown is a detail.      

Karri-ni kun-red kadberre man-djewk na-kudji.

A year in my country.

The original book Nga-ni Kun-red Ngarduk Man-djewk Na-dudji was published in Kune in 2018. This beautifully illustrated book on seasons was so popular that the Kuninjku people decided to translate from Kune into Kuninjku. Both Kuninjku and Kune are langauges of central Arnhem Land, Australia. The original text is by Jull Yirrindilli and translated into Kuninjku by Charlie Nanguwerr and Margot Gurrawiliwili, with transciption and English translation by Carolyn Coleman. 

Belaa Plants and Animals

Biocultural knowledge of the Kwini people of the far north Kimberley, Australia

This book mainly documents the Belaa language, however, any of the words used may be the same or similar to those used by people from the Forrest River area and other parts of Balanggarra country. 

This book is a powerful testament to the depth and complexity of the biocultural knowledge of the Kwini elders who wrote this book. It is also an indication of the successful passing-on of detailed plant and animal knowledge for thousands of generations. This book forms a new unbreakable link in a chain of knowledge tranmission reaching back to the Dreamtime.

Nga-ni Kun-red Ngarduk Man-djewk Na-kudji 'A Year in my Country'

A year in my country

This book tells a story about the life of Kune people who live near the community of Maningrida in north-central Arnhem Land, Australia. This is rich hunting country, abundant in plant and animal life, that shifts and changes through the yearly seasonal cycle.

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