The Gupapuyngu Language

• Unique Phonology: Gupapuyngu, a Yolŋu Matha language of North-East Arnhem Land, features a rich phonological system with distinct sounds that are uncommon in many other languages. Translators must be attuned to the specific sounds and pronunciations to accurately convey meaning, especially when dealing with oral histories or culturally significant texts.
• Oral Tradition: Gupapuyngu is traditionally an oral language, with written forms developed more recently. As such, much of the translation work involves transcribing spoken language, which requires a deep understanding of cultural context and oral storytelling techniques.
• Contextual Sensitivity: Many words and phrases in Gupapuyngu are deeply tied to cultural practices and the local environment. Translators need to ensure that these cultural nuances are preserved in the translation, especially when dealing with ceremonial or traditional knowledge, where mistranslation could lead to significant misinterpretations.
• Translating Legal and Educational Documents: Gupapuyngu is increasingly used in legal and educational contexts, especially in the Northern Territory. Translators working on these types of documents need to ensure that the correct legal and academic terminology is employed, respecting both the traditional language structure and the specific requirements of official communication.

About St Peters

St Peters is a suburb in the inner west of Sydney, in the state of New South Wales, Australia. St Peters is located 7 kilometres south of the Sydney central business district, in the local government area of Marrickville Council. St Peters was named by its association with St Peters Anglican Church, which was consecrated in 1838. St Peters is the third oldest Anglican church in Sydney and has been claimed to be the first church built in Australia using non-convict labour. The church is on the Princes Highway.

It was designed by Thomas Bird and built in 1838-39. In 1875, alterations were carried out under the supervision of Edmund Blacket. The church is now listed on the Register of the National Estate. The graveyard is the burial place of a few notable people, including Frederick Wright Unwin, who had Unwin Road and Unwin Bridge named after him. It is also the burial place of people who committed suicide, patients of the Bayview Mental Asylum at Tempe, and victims of unsolved murders. Graveyard history tours are conducted monthly.

In 2009, the church was given a grant of $30,000 from the State Government, for carrying out much-needed renovations. The grant was aimed at repairing cracked walls and sealing windows. Pastor Shane Rogerson said the building was "ill-fated from the beginning" because it was built on clay-based soil, which meant it will always have problems with cracking.

Other Gupapuyngu Translation Service Locations