Yawuru translation of Baby Ways book a ‘meaningful step’ in respecting Indigenous culture

The well known baby book Baby Ways has been translated entirely into Yawuru for the first time with WA Culture and Arts Minister David Templeman travelling to Broome to officially launch the book.

Joined by Yawuru Traditional Owner Diane Appleby, Minister Templeman read out the book to keenly awaiting children and their parents who had gathered at the Yawuru Language Centre for the book launch on October 18.

The Yawuru edition of Baby Ways, or Nyamangarru Jalygurr in Yawuru, marks the second time the book has been translated into a First Nations language with a Noongar translation released earlier this year.

Nyamba Buru Yawuru chief executive Nini Mills said the book launch represented how far Australia had come in accepting Indigenous culture.

“It was so good. The Minister was engaging and entertaining in his reading of the book, as well as Ms Appleby who beautifully spoke Yawuru Ngan-ga language,” she said.

“To think my grandmother wasn’t allowed to speak her language but today my sons are taught Yawuru Ngan-ga in school and now have resources that support this process is truly empowering. It makes us proud and our liyan [wellbeing] strong.”

“This is a small but meaningful example of what reconciliation and respect looks like and it shows the value and importance of cross cultural education.”

One of the translators, Mabu Yawuru Ngan-ga specialist teacher Coco Yu said she was over the moon that the State Library had approached the Mabu Yawuru Ngan-ga Language team to translate the book into Yawuru.

“Yawuru language is increasingly being used everyday in Broome,” she said.

“This book is another wonderful step to showcase our unique Yawuru culture.”

Encouraging families to use the book to read, sing, write and play with their children Minister Templeman said the translation breathes new life into the Yawuru language.

“Nyamangarru Jalygurr or Baby Ways makes reading more accessible to Yawuru families with babies as well as celebrating culture and language,” he said.

Free copies of the Baby Ways book can be collected from the Broome Public Library.