Jandai Language Dictionary

Description

Minjerribah Moorgumpin Elders. 2011. — 126 p. — ISBN: 0987096605A dictionary spoken on Stradbroke and Moreton Islands based on words remembered by all Elders and recorded by interested visitors to our shores. The 126-page hard cover book, compiled by The Minjerribah Moorgumpin Elders-in-Council and the Straddie Sand Mining Community Fund, was launched in Dunwich last month. Island elder Aunty Margaret Iselin and members of the Minjerribah Moorgumpin Elders-in-Council spent five years on the important task of saving Jandai, the language of the local Quandamooka people."It might have taken five years to complete, but we now have a timeless record for future generations of our native Jandai language here on Stradbroke Island," she said. "I was five years old when the two grannies at the Myora Mission decided to teach us the language. "The first word they taught was 'myora' which means mission. "But after we started learning the language, the authorities came and told us that we weren't allowed to speak it anymore. "Now we have the dictionary, the local schools can teach Jandai."Aunty Margaret worked with family and friends and indigenous residents to write down as many words they could remember in the language. Entries are in alphabetical order and give an English translated meaning.