Ep. 44: Myfany Turpin on Australian Aboriginal Song-poetry and Documentation

This month's very special episode is with Myfany Turpin, an Associate Professor at the University of Sydney. Myfany has been working on Australian Aboriginal songs and languages since 1996. Her research interests include the relationship between language and music, especially of lesser-known cultures; and identifying ways to support the continuation of endangered languages and performance arts. Her work examines Aboriginal song-poetry and its relationship to spoken languages and the documentation of the Kaytetye language and encyclopaedic knowledge, an Arandic language of Central Australia. Things mentioned in this episode: ABC Radio National episodes Project page Pantjiti McKenzie-lu Inma Kulkalanyatjara Wangkanyi Pantjiti McKenzie talks about the ceremony ‘Kulkalanya’ Inma Kulkalanya Wangkanyi. Talking about the ceremony ‘Kulkalanya’. Iluwanti Mervyn, Tinpulya Ken, Josephine Mick and Renee Kulitja Buried in the Sand: Digging deep into Gudjal language and culture (Toksave: Culture Talks) Kaytetye recordings (Hale) Thangkerne birds indigemoji Myfany on Google Scholar Myfany on ResearchGate From June 2023, Field Notes will be taking a summer break, so look for new regular episodes coming September 2023. Bonus mini episode content (on Patreon) will continue as usual (throughout the summer) for patrons pledging $5/month and above. If you would like to support Field Notes on Patreon, you can do so here.