Language & Education

Language & Education -
 
 In this week’s episode we are acknowledging the symbiotic relationship between work and travel even if you are now enjoying retirement.

Whether you're an analytical thinker, a creative soul, a service-oriented individual, a leader, an educator or an entrepreneur, there are countless ways to create travel experiences that resonate with your unique professional identity.

The world is your classroom, and the experiences you gain through thoughtful travel can shape your career in profound and lasting ways.

And if perhaps you are a current or retired educator, or teacher, or your travel companions are passionate about education and learning or have a love of world languages…. Norfolk Island is an opportunity to enrich your travel experience by exploring our distinct and unique Norf’k language.

I would like to share with you a sonic experience captured in our natural environment from the beautifully spoken voices of our island women along with the legacy of a Kindergarten teacher, Miss Bataille, who taught three generations of students on the island. 

Miss Bataille was my great-Aunt and I am deeply honoured to have a collection of her original handwritten lessons in the Norf’k language. As a creative project a couple of years ago, I asked a few of our beautiful island ladies if they would mind reading out my Aunt’s lessons so that I could record their speech and share the audios to help with the learning of Norf’k and to practice the pronunciation. I am so grateful to them all for helping me with this project. I would now like to share a few snippets with you.

Each sentence is spoken in Norf’k first with an English translation afterwards.

Untold Norfolk Island Travel Podcast Series - Sponsored by Baunti Tours www.bauntitours.com

Transcript

Welcome to Episode 3 of the Untold Norfolk Island travel podcast series.

My name is Jodie Williams and as a Norfolk Islander & Churchill Fellow, I am your ‘on island’ podcast host.

In this week’s episode we are acknowledging the symbiotic relationship between work and travel even if you are now enjoying retirement.

Whether you're an analytical thinker, a creative soul, a service-oriented individual, a leader, an educator or an entrepreneur, there are countless ways to create travel experiences that resonate with your unique professional identity.

The world is your classroom, and the experiences you gain through thoughtful travel can shape your career in profound and lasting ways.

And if perhaps you are a current or retired educator, or teacher, or your travel companions are passionate about education and learning or have a love of world languages…. Norfolk Island is an opportunity to enrich your travel experience by exploring our distinct and unique Norf’k language.

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The relationship between our professional lives and travel preferences can actually be more significant than we often realise.

Our career paths whether straight forward or a melange of pathways are shaped by our perspectives, skills and interests, which in turn influences the types of travel experiences we lean towards and find most appealing and rewarding.

By recognising and embracing this connection, we can create travel experiences that not only satisfy our wanderlust but also complement and enhance our professional and inner growth.

It is by bringing this to the fore, and understanding this connection, that allows us to craft travel experiences that feel more meaningful and more personalised.

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Our working careers are a significant part of our lives, and they hold an influence that extends way beyond a specific work space environment.

Your work experiences, skills, and interests can profoundly impact your travel preferences.

The way you approach your profession often shapes your travel style, influencing where you want to go, what you want to see, and how you choose to experience new places.

Understanding this link can lead to the planning of a more authentic and enriching travel experience. You'll find yourself drawn to destinations that resonate with your professional skills and interests, making your adventures more engaging and rewarding.

While it can be important to incorporate professional development into your travels, it is keeping in mind that balance is a key. Keep part of your itinerary fluid if you can…. Leave some room for spontaneous exploration, cultural immersion and relaxation. It is often these unstructured experiences that can lead to unexpected insights and creative breakthroughs, ultimately enhancing your professional development in unforeseen ways.

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So, let’s begin with the thought of packing your bags, bringing along your professional curiosity, towards embarking upon a journey to Norfolk Island as your next holiday destination.

Our island is a place that offers a travel experience that is personally rewarding and professionally inspiring.

As travellers venturing to a new destination, you have the unique opportunity to become ambassadors for language diversity. By engaging with the local language, even if it's just a few basic phrases, you are able to shed light on the richness and value of endangered languages. This awareness can inspire others to appreciate the world's linguistic tapestry, fostering respect and understanding across cultures.

By learning about the endangered language crisis, there is an opportunity for travellers to then educate friends, family, and colleagues back home, sparking conversations about language preservation. Sharing stories and experiences from their travels can help to dispel misconceptions about endangered languages and highlight the importance of linguistic diversity for cultural heritage and human knowledge.


Endangered languages are languages that are at risk of disappearing. This can happen due to various factors, including globalis ation, assimilation, and the lack of support and resources. 

Each language represents a unique cultural heritage, containing rich traditions, stories, and knowledge passed down through generations.

Losing a language means losing a vital part of a community's identity and history.

The loss of endangered languages can have a detrimental impact on biodiversity and environmental conservation. Many unique and distinct languages hold invaluable knowledge about local ecosystems and sustainable practices.

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And now, as we delve deeper into our Norf’k language on the island, I would like to share with you a sonic experience captured in our natural environment from the beautifully spoken voices of our island women along with the legacy of a Kindergarten teacher, Miss Bataille, who taught three generations of students on the island. 

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Miss Bataille’s journey in education began at the age of 16 when she became a pupil-teacher at the Norfolk Island Central School.

This early start was not uncommon in the mid-20th century, especially in remote locations like Norfolk Island. As a pupil-teacher, Miss Bataille was responsible for teaching younger students while continuing her own education under the guidance of more experienced educators.

Growing up on the island, and as a descendant of the Pitcairners, Miss Bataille was deeply immersed in the unique customs and traditions of her small Pacific island community. She became a bridge between the island's rich heritage and the evolving educational needs of its children.

Her decision to pursue a career in education at such a young age speaks volumes about her dedication and passion for teaching. It also highlights the importance of education in the Norfolk Island community, where local talent was nurtured to meet the island's specific needs.

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Our Norfolk Island education system stems from the historical foundation of John Adams on Pitcairn Island teaching the first generation of children to read in the early nineteenth century. He used the Bounty Bible and a prayer book. In 1835, the Pitcairn Islanders established compulsory education for children of six years and over.
 
 Following the Pitcairner’s arrival on Norfolk Island in 1856, classes for children commenced in the New Military Barracks at Kingston. Governor Denison published laws the following year for compulsory school attendance which was the earliest legislation of its kind in the British Empire.
 
The current Norfolk Island Central School was established at Middlegate in 1906. Classes were taught from kindergarten to intermediate certificate level and followed the New South Wales education system. Hat plaiting and sewing lessons were for girls with woodwork classes for boys. Handicrafts also formed part of the curriculum. Education was free, taught in English and compulsory to the age of fifteen years.
 
Our school continues today to be committed to preserving our local traditions by including Norfolk studies in the curriculum with language classes and craft activities.

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One of Miss Bataille's most significant contributions to Norfolk Island's education system was her role as the Kindergarten teacher responsible for easing children's transition into school life. This milestone adjustment is crucial in any child's development, but it held particular importance in the close-knit community of Norfolk Island.

As the Kindergarten teacher, Miss Bataille was responsible for introducing young children to the structure and routines of formal education. She provided support and guidance to help children develop social skills, basic academic foundations, and a love for learning.

In this role, she would have been keenly aware of the unique challenges faced by Norfolk Island families, including the need to balance traditional island life with modern educational requirements. Her deep understanding of her island’s heritage and customs allowed her to create a kindergarten experience that respected and incorporated Norfolk traditions whilst preparing children for their future academic journey.

Miss Bataille's commitment to her students extended far beyond the classroom walls. Recognizing the economic challenges faced by some Norfolk Island families, she took it upon herself to ensure that no child's education suffered due to financial constraints.

With great discretion and sensitivity, Miss Bataille provided necessary school supplies to children from struggling families. Her approach was characterized by a quiet assistance whereby she offered help without drawing attention, preserving the dignity of the children and their families.

All students were treated with the same respect and kindness, regardless of their economic circumstances. She ensured children had the tools they needed to fully participate in school activities and learning. Her actions demonstrated an understanding of the emotional impact of economic hardship on children.

This compassionate approach not only addressed immediate needs but also fostered a supportive and inclusive classroom environment. By removing potential barriers to learning, Miss Bataille gave all her students the opportunity to focus on their education and personal growth.

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Another of Miss Bataille's legacies was her tireless advocacy for the preservation and promotion of the Norf’k language,.

Recognising the vital role language plays in maintaining cultural identity, she worked diligently to ensure that Norf'k remained a living, breathing part of island life.

In the 1980s, Miss Bataille spearheaded efforts to revive and integrate Norf'k into her school programs.

She developed Norf'k language materials for use in the classroom, included Norf'k into daily lessons and activities, encouraged students to use Norf'k in appropriate contexts as well as educating non-Norfolk teachers about the vital importance of the language in the school environment.

Through her mentorship of new teachers, Miss Bataille helped shape a generation of educators who understood and respected Norfolk Island's educational needs and cultural context. Her efforts to bring community elders into the classroom set a precedent for community involvement in education, enriching the learning experience for students.

By championing the Norfolk language at the Norfolk Island Central School, Miss Bataille played a pivotal role in ensuring its survival and relevance for future generations. Her work laid the foundation for ongoing efforts to preserve and promote this unique aspect of our Norfolk Island cultural heritage.

By having elders in the classroom to share stories in Norf'k, students were exposed to authentic language use, helping to reinforce their learning and understanding of the Norfolk language.

These visits created opportunities for meaningful interactions between different generations, strengthening community ties and fostering respect for elders.

Students could see the real-world applications of their language  making their learning more relevant and engaging.

This approach not only enriched the educational experience for students but also validated the knowledge and experiences of community elders. It exemplified Miss Bataille's holistic view of education, which recognised the importance of community involvement in nurturing well-rounded, culturally aware individuals.

Her Norf’k language lessons were carefully crafted to introduce students to the nuances of Norf'k, ensuring that this vital aspect of Norfolk Island's cultural heritage continued to thrive.

Introduction to common Norf'k words and phrases, focusing on everyday items and expressions unique to Norfolk Island life.

There was detailed instruction on the unique sounds of Norf'k with an exploration of Norf'k grammar rules and sentence patterns, often contrasting them with standard English to highlight the language's uniqueness.
   
These lessons would have been instrumental in ensuring that the Norf'k language remained a living, evolving part of the island's culture, rather than becoming a historical relic.

I now wish to share a personal reflection:

Miss Bataille was my great-Aunt and I am deeply honoured to have a collection of her original handwritten lessons in the Norf’k language. As a creative project a couple of years ago, I asked a few of our beautiful island ladies if they would mind reading out my Aunt’s lessons so that I could record their speech and share the audios to help with the learning of Norf’k and to practice the pronunciation. I am so grateful to them all for helping me with this project. I would now like to share a few snippets with you.

Each sentence is spoken in Norf’k first with an English translation afterwards….


SNIPPETS INCLUDED HERE

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Miss Bataille's 43-year career left a lasting mark on Norfolk Island's educational landscape. Her influence extended far beyond her immediate students, shaping the very fabric of education on the island.

She was dedicated to culturally responsive educational practices and pioneered her own unique approach to integrate Norfolk Island's distinctive traditions, customs and language into the formal education system.

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There is an immensely positive impact that educational travel has upon language preservation. Educational travel can raise awareness about endangered languages and can encourage individuals to become advocates for their preservation. By experiencing the language of a people and a place, first-hand, travellers can gain a deeper understanding and if by chance you are an educator yourself, your holiday experience provides now a new opportunity to become a valuable resource in your own classroom.

Thanks so much for joining me and immersing yourself in the beautiful sounds of our spoken Norf’k language.

Until next week…!