The term “Yolŋu” literally means “person” in the various Yolŋu languages of East Arnhem Land, and local interpreters can provide vital connections between English-language government services and the indigenous people.
Story by Janne Rytkönen
“It's hard, you know, when they're growing. Not many kids are coming and attending school, and it's pretty hard for them to understand English,” says official translator Leon Wunungmurra of Gapuwiyak, Arnhem Land.
Leon had the opportunity to complete his secondary schooling far away in Sydney, where he also started a TAFE (Technical and Further Education) training course before returning to his home country in Arnhem Land.
Upon his return, he gained further training and work as a translator with local businesses and in the so-called “bush courts” of the local court circuit.
Overland travel across the rough bush tracks of Arnhem Land can be unpredictable, even in the dry season, and in the wet season an expected three-hour drive could turn into six hours or an overnight trip.
Flying allows Leon to attend hearings in a timely fashion, and MAF’s Regular Passenger Transport (RPT) service is a reliable and consistent way of covering the vast distances between the larger communities that host court hearings.
“I fly most of the time,” said Leon.
“If I have a court hearing, say in Galiwin’ku [on Elcho Island], they get a plane for me to fly this way, to every community, especially here and Ramingining as well.
“So flying is pretty good. MAF is pretty good.”
MAF is pretty good.
The Yolŋu have more than 40 clan-based languages and dialects across East Arnhem Land, and many people speak several of the languages.
“It's basically interpreting English to a Yolŋu language so they can understand better,” said Leon, explaining his role as an interpreter.
“Most people speak multiple languages, and they learn English as a third or fourth language, so it's pretty good to help them out and understand.”
Leon’s experience in both worlds, that of the Yolŋu and the Balanda (non-Yolŋu), allows him to bridge some of the communication gaps between the two cultures, often in times of acute need.
“I like being an interpreter. It's good, helping people out, you know.”
