Jane Helen Simpson

(she/her/hers)

5

Articles

59

Comments
Warlpiri Dictionary contributors. Photo: Jeff Bruer, PAW Media, for Aboriginal Studies Press/AIATSIS

Six decades, 210 Warlpiri speakers and 11,000 words: how a groundbreaking First Nations dictionary was made

Carmel O'Shannessy, Australian National University; Jane Helen Simpson, Australian National University, and Otto Sims Jungarrayi, Indigenous Knowledge

The Warlpiri Dictionary has been 60 years in the making – and it’s shortlisted for the 2023 Australian Book Industry Awards, a rarity for a dictionary.
Children at Lajamanu, NT, telling sand stories in Light Warlpiri . Carmel O'Shannessy

Talking the talk: fresh Closing the Gap targets require a tailored approach to language

Jane Helen Simpson, Australian National University; Denise Angelo, Australian National University, and Francis Markham, Australian National University

Strong language and culture is listed among the fresh Closing the Gap targets. But, as the latest research on speakers and learners shows, language is fundamental to well-being across the board.
November 2016 (left to right) Seraine Namundja, Donna Nadjamerrek, Julie Narndal and Cheryl Nadjalaburnburn preparing a new course in Bininj Kunwok, an Indigenous language in the Northern Territory. Provided by Cathy Bow

The state of Australia’s Indigenous languages – and how we can help people speak them more often

Jane Helen Simpson, Australian National University

In 60 years’ time, only 13 of Australia’s Indigenous languages will be left, unless something is done to encourage children to keep speaking their language.
Indigenous languages won’t survive if Indigenous kids don’t have the opportunity to speak their native languages at school. AAP

Indigenous languages won’t survive if kids are learning only English

Jane Helen Simpson, Australian National University

The question of what language(s) to teach Indigenous students, what languages to teach them in, and how to go about it has been generating a little political heat (but not quite so much light) of late…

Contact Jane for

  • General
  • Media request
  • Speaking request
  • Consulting / Advising
  • Research collaboration