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LANGUAGE OF THE LAND – DOCUMENTARY Language of the Land speaks to the power of language. lutruwita was colonised and renamed Tasmania in the 1800s and original names, spoken for thousands of years, were changed. In this film, we travel on country with lutruwita’s First People as they talk about the resonance language creates, the power of speaking names on country and the connection it builds between people, land and time.

LANGUAGE OF THE LAND

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  • Post category:GRIT Films

LANGUAGE OF THE LAND – DOCUMENTARY 9:24 minutes

Directors/Producers: Troy Melville and Jillian Mundy

Synopsis

Language of the Land speaks to the power of language. lutruwita was colonised and renamed Tasmania in the 1800s and original names, spoken for thousands of years, were changed. In this film, we travel on country with lutruwita’s First People as they talk about the resonance language creates, the power of speaking names on country and the connection it builds between people, land and time.

Caution

Contains some coarse language.

Themes

  • The effects of colonisation on language and place names
  • How the British legal concept of Terra Nullias affected Aboriginal people
  • Value and issues around Dual naming
  • Respect and care for First Nations people and country
  • History of the Tasmanian aboriginal peoples reclaiming their language

Discussion questions

  • Why might non-aboriginal place names be upsetting to some Aboriginal people?
  • How does dual naming change community ideas of country and place?
  • Do you know of any examples of dual place naming where you live?
  • How have the Tasmanian Aborigines brought their language back to life?