WHAT IS ABORIGINAL ENGLISH(AE)?

ACCORDING TO ALA (Adult Learning
Australia):

AE is a dialect of Australian English spoken as a first language by most Aboriginal people living in urban, rural, and regional Australia.

Aboriginal English (AbE) developed because of policies that prohibited the use of traditional Aboriginal languages, leading to their replacement with English. However, to keep a sense of identity and to ensure a tie to tradition the people mixed their English with their traditional Aboriginal language (Ab/E). These expressions serve as important markers of Aboriginal identity and may vary across different regions. An estimated eighty percent of Aboriginal Australians speak this language.

AbE at SandiiShoreS is unique to the Murchison/Gascoyne mobs with connecting languages to the Pilbara, parts of the Kimberley and Perth areas.

It can be considered a language

Aboriginal English is a contact variety spoken across
Australia. It is spoken by an estimated 80% of Aboriginal and Torres Strait
Islander people, and is the first and only language spoken by many Aboriginal
children. Therefore, it can be considered a language. 

Macquarie University

Yukai
Welcome to SandiiShores, you fullas. Don't let the name fool you. Whilst it sounds sweet we are a business that is serious about fostering pride in, and recognition for, the local language of the Murchison/Gascoyne regions and surrounds. SandiiShores believe that language recognition is crucial, as my personal experiences highlighted the challenges of growing up surrounded by a language spoken primarily within my family and community, only to later discover it was
not universally understood.

Upon becoming a parent, I became even more aware of the linguistic barriers faced by my children, both in school and within broader regional contexts such as the Pilbara. Although there are linguistic similarities among communities distinct differences exist—such as the use of “Nyorn” by the Yamatji people of the Gascoyne/Murchison area and “Marnu” by Pilbara communities to express sorrow.
Additionally, I observed a trend among younger generations to adopt African
American slang over their own heritage language, sparking my commitment to
preserve our unique linguistic identity.

Despite its prevalence and significance, for many years Aboriginal English (AbE) had not been formally recognised as a language, leading to feelings of invisibility within the communities that speak it. It is only within recent years that it is now
considered a language.

Recognition and affirmation are universal human desires, and SandiiShores is dedicated to advancing this cause. We showcase positive expressions and uplifting designs from the Gascoyne, Murchison, Pilbara, through to the Southwest, Perth, with the aim of proudly proclaiming: THIS IS OUR LANGUAGE AND IT IS GOOD, DARDY, MOORDITJ, BOOGAH, BUDDAH, BOSS...'ORSE?

SandiiShoreS is dedicated to supporting local Aboriginal artists by providing opportunities to showcase their artwork through our business. We invite interested artists to contact us at lovekoolblu@gmail.com for further information regarding the
process of featuring your designs on our products.

Featured Print by LJMallard on Cotton Tote bag AS Colour 1001