Comments for Unconfirmed Reports

Comment on Love magic and the attachment to things by Joe

Joe — Wed, 23 Nov 2011 09:16:14 +0000

Nice one John, I think you have done your first block of fieldwork both hard and well. I’ve certainly learnt a lot as a result of your endeavours, and it was nice to overlap there in Wadeye. Looking forward to the next tantalising chapter. Keep up the good work.

Comment on Love magic and the attachment to things by John Mansfield

John Mansfield — Wed, 09 Nov 2011 23:22:50 +0000

There were about 250 languages when we Invaded (note: there is no exact number, it all depends on subjective decisions about what counts as separate langs and what counts as dialects of the same lang). Roughly, I think there are about 100 langs still spoken, but only 20-30 of them have a decent number of speakers, including young people growing up with the language.
I don’t know much about the Victoria situation, but I believe that all langs were totally obliterated, so that now people would be trying to relearn them, but perhaps no fluent speakers.

Comment on Love magic and the attachment to things by oskr

oskr — Wed, 09 Nov 2011 10:23:26 +0000

it would be great if you could tell me how many aboriginal languages are still spoken in australia. i embarrassingly know very little. as far as i can tell there isn’t anyone who speaks any of the victorian languages anymore, there are dictionaries but no grammar. send me an email if you want

Comment on Love magic and the attachment to things by oskr

oskr — Wed, 09 Nov 2011 10:21:06 +0000

awesome piece

Comment on Many Small Fires by John Mansfield

John Mansfield — Sun, 21 Aug 2011 23:14:02 +0000

Thanks Mark. Glad you like it.

Comment on Many Small Fires by Mark

Mark — Sat, 23 Jul 2011 01:52:57 +0000

Amazing work. Writing out the pace of a couple of days like this. Looking forward to reading lots more.

Comment on Trade by oskr

oskr — Fri, 15 Jul 2011 06:00:34 +0000

when’s the next installment!!!!!!

Comment on Folk by jrome

jrome — Wed, 02 Mar 2011 03:02:11 +0000

I have a sweeping lady too! She also rakes leaves and I have seen her shovel snow too. She is so busy, some days I wish I had her job. I look out my window and she is there.

Comment on Survival space: Iraq Burin by John Mansfield

John Mansfield — Fri, 28 Jan 2011 10:57:38 +0000

Another of the teenagers from Iraq Burin was shot by settlers yesterday:
http://occupiedpalestine.wordpress.com/2011/01/27/israeli-settlers-kill-palestinian-teen

Comment on Where’s the salsa? by steven mcglaughlin

steven mcglaughlin — Tue, 21 Dec 2010 07:00:11 +0000

Hi John. I haven’t had any contact with you since August 2008. I am slowly catching up by reading your great blog. I don’t know why I didn’t think of this earlier. Will you be coming to Adelaide for Christmass or New Year? It would be great to see you. Drop me a line or two. Cheers Steven