Indigenous Language Revitalization Pioneer
Associated with :
University of AdelaideDr. Rob Amery serves as Associate Professor of Linguistics at the University of Adelaide, where he has established himself as a leading expert in Aboriginal language revitalization, particularly focusing on the Kaurna language of the Adelaide Plains. His journey in Aboriginal linguistics began in 1980 as a nurse working with Kukatja-speaking people in Balgo, Western Australia, and has since evolved into groundbreaking work in language reclamation. His research has been instrumental in the renaissance of the Kaurna language, leading to the establishment of Kaurna Warra Pintyanthi (KWP) in 2002, a collaborative forum between researchers and the Kaurna community. His scholarly contributions include authoring "Warraparna Kaurna! Reclaiming an Australian language" and co-developing comprehensive teaching resources like the Kaurna Learner's Guide. Through his work at the University of Adelaide, he teaches courses in linguistics and Aboriginal languages, with particular emphasis on language reclamation methodologies. His approach combines rigorous academic research with deep respect for Aboriginal communities, resulting in successful language revival programs that serve as models for endangered language preservation worldwide.