Layers of meanings in our landscapes: Hiding in full view
Document Type
Book Chapter
Publication Title
Critical Global Semiotics: Understanding Sustainable Transformational Citizenship
Publisher
Routledge
School
School of Science / Centre for Ecosystem Management
RAS ID
30019
Abstract
Kurduboodjar means love of place in the Noongar language – the Aboriginal language of the South West of Western Australia. In this research, kurduboodjar is illustrated as a way of addressing the complex problems of our time, such as climate change and overclearing of natural places. Katitjiny bidi, a Noongar learning journey metaphor, is used to reflect upon Peirce’s and Latour’s meaning-making processes. Using Bhaskar’s critical realism, a decolonising treatise is produced, aiming to liberate Noongar knowing from colonial subjugation and to show Noongar ways to understand meaning in landscapes. Since the dawn of time, Noongar insight has been embedded in landscape in relational ways to speak its meanings. We show that whilst climate change is a sign of the times, kurduboodjar can help heal our lifeway. We critically review progress towards this goal of social change and find that a Noongar language and cultural resurgence is underway in Noongar country – an observation being made about many places and their First Cultures by commentators across Australia.
DOI
10.4324/9780429022159
Access Rights
subscription content
Comments
Wooltorton, S., Collard, L., & Horwitz, P. (2020). Layers of meanings in our landscapes: Hiding in full view. In M. Ellis (Ed.), Critical global semiotics: Understanding sustainable transformational citizenship (pp. 96-108). https://doi.org/10.4324/9780429022159