Alf Palmer

Last known speaker of Warrungu

Alf Palmer (c. 1891–1981), or Jinbilnggay in the Warrongo language, was the last native speaker of the Australian aboriginal language Warrongo.^[1] He lived in Townsville, Queensland, Australia.

He worked together with linguists Drs. Tasaku Tsunoda from Japan and Peter Sutton from Sydney, Australia, to preserve his language.^[1] He was anxious for his language to be preserved and repeatedly told Tsunoda, "I'm the last one to speak Warrungu. When I die, this language will die. I'll teach you everything I know, so put it down properly."^[2]

References

1. Tsunoda, Tasaku (14 December 2011), "Preface", A Grammar of Warrongo, DE GRUYTER, pp. v–vi, doi:10.1515/9783110238778.v, ISBN 978-3-11-023876-1, retrieved 31 January 2024
2. Tsunoda, Tasaku (21 February 2006). Language Endangerment and Language Revitalization: An Introduction. De Gruyter Mouton. pp. vii. hdl:20.500.12657/31654. ISBN 978-3-11-089658-9.

External links

• An article on Alf Palmer and Warrungu, with photographs