Alf Palmer facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Alf Palmer
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Alf Palmer on Palm Island in July 1972
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| Born | c. 1891 |
| Died | 1981 |
| Other names | Jinbilnggay |
| Known for | Being the last native speaker of Warrungu |
Alf Palmer (born around 1891, died 1981) was a very special person from Australia. His native name was Jinbilnggay. He was the very last person who spoke the Aboriginal language called Warrungu as his first language.
Alf Palmer lived in a place called Townsville, Queensland, in Australia. He played a huge role in trying to save his language from disappearing forever.
Alf Palmer: A Language Hero
Alf Palmer was known for being the last person to speak the Warrungu language. This language belongs to the Aboriginal people of Australia. When a language has only one speaker left, it is in danger of being lost forever.
Saving a Language
Alf Palmer worked closely with two smart people who study languages. They are called linguists. One was Tasaku Tsunoda from Japan, and the other was Dr. Peter Sutton from Sydney, Australia. Their goal was to record and learn as much of the Warrungu language as possible. This way, it could be remembered and studied even after Alf Palmer was gone.
Alf Palmer really wanted his language to be saved. He often told Mr. 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." This shows how much he cared about his heritage. He spent time teaching them words, grammar, and stories in Warrungu. Thanks to his efforts, parts of the Warrungu language are now written down and preserved.
Why Languages Matter
Every language is like a special key to a culture. It holds stories, traditions, and ways of seeing the world. When a language is lost, a big part of that culture can be lost too. Alf Palmer's work reminds us how important it is to protect and respect all languages. His dedication helped keep the memory of Warrungu alive.
See also
In Spanish: Alf Palmer para niños
