Alf Palmer (–1981), or in his native language, was the last native speaker of the
Australian
aboriginal language
Warrungu. He lived in
Townsville, Queensland
Townsville is a city on the north-eastern coast of Queensland, Australia. With a population of 180,820 as of June 2018, it is the largest settlement in North Queensland; it is unofficially considered its capital. Estimated resident population, 30 ...
,
Australia.
He worked together with linguists
Tasaku Tsunoda
is a Japanese linguist, specializing in Australian Aboriginal languages. His interests embrace linguistic typology and endangered languages.
Career
Tsunoda was born in Akagi, Gumma Prefecture (now incorporated with other villages and renamed ...
from
Japan and Dr.
Peter Sutton from
Sydney,
Australia, to preserve his language. He was anxious for his language to be preserved and repeatedly told Tsunoda, "I'm the last one to speak Warrungu. When I die, this language will die. I'll teach you everything I know, so put it down properly."
External links
An article on Alf Palmer and Warrungu, with photographs
1890s births
1981 deaths
Last known speakers of an Australian Aboriginal language
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