Language is invaluable as a way to express our identity and connection to our culture, who we are and where we come from.
Language contributes to the empowerment, wellbeing and strengthening of our communities. Speaking in language is a way for us to maintain links to our ancestors and keep words alive that have been used for thousands of years.
There are 38 language groups across Victoria. Many of these are divided according to clan groups and Traditional Lands. These language groups also fall into 11 language group families which share words, grammar and sounds.
2019 is the United Nations International Year of Indigenous Languages. In light of this, we reflect on the importance of language as not only a tool for communication, but also a repository for identity, culture and traditions.