Bina tells the story of this tragic destruction of indigenous languages and how communities are working to save and preserve their languages and pass them on to future generations. Indigenous and non-indigenous linguists are combining archival research and field work to discover the vocabulary and grammar of indigenous languages and record the speech of elders who are the last remaining speakers of a language before it is too late.

 

Thanks to their efforts, indigenous languages are undergoing a revival with indigenous languages again being taught in schools and being promoted through both traditional song and dance and modern means such as opera, rock music and rap.

 

Indigenous languages are more than just a means of communication. They embody the speaker’s kinship relations and their relationship to Country and the environment. Precious knowledge of the seasons, food supply, fire management and astronomy would be lost if indigenous languages become extinct.