A Language Revived Through Song: The Last Speaker and the Linguist

A three-year search by linguist Rosie Sitorus culminated in a life-changing connection with 92-year-old Peter Salmon, the last living speaker of the Thiinma language. Their unique partnership has blossomed into a musical collaboration, breathing new life into a First Nations language of Western Australia and taking them to a national stage.

The Search and the Last Speaker

Rosie Sitorus was working with the Bundiyarra Irra Wangga Language Centre in Geraldton on a mission to find and preserve Indigenous languages. Her search led her to Peter Salmon, a retired stockman living in Carnarvon.

Peter Salmon learned Thiinma from his mother while growing up on Wurrgaja, also known as Maroondah Station. After his mother's death, he had very few opportunities to speak his mother tongue, which he says led to him forgetting some of it.

"I reckon my old grandfather would be really, really proud of me keeping the language going," said Peter Salmon.

A Creative Collaboration is Born

Sitorus and Salmon formed a powerful creative partnership, writing songs together in Thiinma and performing as the band Warralgurniya. Their subjects are drawn from Salmon's life and country, including songs about station life and a favourite horse.

Sitorus says the collaboration has been instrumental in helping bring the language back to Salmon. Their work has moved beyond simple documentation into the realm of active creation and performance.

"I could have been the best songwriter in the world, and the best linguist in the world, but if it weren't for Peter, none of this would exist," stated Rosie Sitorus, describing their work as "legacy work."

Taking the Stage and Inspiring a New Generation

The duo's journey reached a national audience when they performed on ABC TV's The Piano, culminating in a final concert at the Sydney Recital Hall. They performed the song "Warri Yungu Warri Paba," which Sitorus explains is about the fundamental dependence of life on rain and water in Salmon's country.

A pivotal moment occurred on that stage when Salmon's grandson, Mitch, pledged to keep the knowledge alive for future generations.

"It made me feel good to teach the young fellow my language," Salmon reflected.

The Legacy Continues

The momentum from their television appearance has carried forward. Since the performance, they have recorded three more songs, and Salmon continues to propose ideas for new material. What began as a linguistic rescue mission has transformed into a living, growing cultural project, ensuring the voice of Thiinma is heard once more.