Norf’k Spelling System Approved

The Council of Elders are pleased to announce they have approved a new Norf’k spelling system for the community.

This work has come about from their Language Revitalisation Strategy which included appointing a ‘Language Commission’ to standardise the spelling based on all the work that has gone before by others.

The Commission was appointed on 8 June 2022 for a two-year term. Councillors are: Louise Tavener (Chair), Merv Buffett, Ngaire Sheridan, Wesley Quintal, Kane Anderson, Joe Adams, Jane Rutledge, Allan Bataille and honorary member Professor Peter Mulhausler.

The past two years have seen Commissioners meet weekly and worked tirelessly on this process.

The Council of Elders express their sincere appreciation to the Language Commission and Professor Peter Mulhausler for his assistance and contribution to this process.

The Elders hope to have an English to Norf’k dictionary produced by the end of 2024, with a Norf’k to English following in 2025.

David Buffett

President

Norfolk Island Council of Elders