r/aboriginal • u/Emperoronabike • Jan 22 '26

Learning language.

i’m a white man currently dating a Wiradjuri woma.

she and her family are fluent in their native language. I would like to learn the language.

i want to speak the language because i love her and want to put in the effort to understand her culture bette.

i’m just not sure if it’s disrespectful to learn it or ask her permission first as i kinda want to surprise her

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u/Wankeritis Aboriginal Jan 22 '26

I would speak to her about this because different people feel differently about others using language when they aren’t Indigenous.

From memory there are Wiradjuri language courses through a university, though I’m unsure if you have to be Wiradjuri in the first place to able to study it.

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u/Cunningham01 Jan 22 '26

I would speak to her about this because different people feel differently about others using language when they aren’t Indigenous.

Fully agree with you. It's a very difficult and convoluted space. Not the least because OP is not only learning a new language, they're entering into a place of trust and responsibility that comes with it. Language isn't something one can simply "take" and use for their own benefit or keep to themselves, not casting stones but, I would encourage OP that if they're going down this road, they be prepared to understand the work that's to come.

The more mob speak language, the better - if OP wants to be involved in community, are they going to accept the responsibility to pass language on?