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The Institute for Aboriginal Development (IAD) is proud to this week launch the first KAYTETE TO ENGLISH DICTIONARY.

Kaytetye (pronounced Kay-ditch) is the language and name of the people whose traditional lands lie approximately 300 kilometers north of Alice Springs.

Work on the Dictionary officially began in 1996 when Robert Hoogenraad and Shirleen McLaughlin collected existing Kaytetye material and started work with Emily Hayes and Joannie Ross to transcribe and translate it.

“This project has been in development for 16 years culminating in the publication of the Dictionary, with over 80 Kaytetye people contributing their knowledge and time,” said Myf Turpin project coordinator. “This dictionary is an important record of the Kaytetye language as spoken from 1960 -2007”, she added.

Alison Ross, project coordinator and Kaytetye woman said,” I believe this dictionary is a tool and a way to preserve our language as it was spoken by our elders. It is very important for us to have this dictionary as it will help us remember and understand how Kaytetye is used and spoken.”

IAD Chairperson, Pat Turner said,” I am very proud that IAD Press has been able to get the dictionary published at long last and I want to thank each and everyone who has been involved in the work to produce a permanent record in both Kaytetye and English – it is a significant and timely achievement.

For more information or review copies / press photos please contact: Tony on 0429 848 236 or press.manager@iad.edu.au .

For trade sales and to purchase copies of the dictionary please contact Gina on 8951 1337 or sales@iad.edu.au.