Why we do what we do! Reflections of an Aboriginal linguist working on the maintenance and revival of ancestral languages

Being a language worker, community linguist or language activist requires a great deal of commitment and a strong belief in what you are doing. After all, it involves continually convincing yourself and others around you of the importance of what you are doing in helping to keep our identity strong and pass onto younger generations the value of maintaining a connection to traditional practices. There is a very practical side to it also, as you have to be out there promoting the use of our languages in all different contexts such as in education, land claims, tourism and media.