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In the last five hundred years the world has lost half its languages.
Prior to colonisation it is estimated that there were about 250 distinct Aboriginal languages spoken in Australia, each having its own range of dialects. Today only one third of these languages still survive and most of these are faced with extinction in the not so distant future.
The Djabugay language is one such threatened language. Since 1987 steps have been taken to help preserve whatever can be salvaged and allow Djabuganydji descendants access to that language now and in the future.
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Djabugay language books have been around for some 15 years. All books are currently out of print.
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The Djabugay language was spoken by the Bama who occupied the rainforested coastal ranges between Gimuy (Cairns) and present day Port Douglas and the tablelands behind. Its dialects were Yirrgay, Buluway, Guluy and Nyagali. Archaeological evidence suggests the Bama have been in occupation of the area at least 40.000 years and practising'fire-stick farming'.
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