Terraglossia (Debra Dank, Echo)

Debra Dank, a Gudanji/Wakaja and Kalkadoon woman from the Barkly Tablelands in the Northern Territory and critically acclaimed author of We Come with This Place, returns with her powerful new work, Terraglossia. The title – a term Dank coined herself – is a response to the false claim of ‘terra nullius’ (no one’s land), and presents a celebratory discussion on the diversity of experience within First Nations cultures, communities, and histories. Drawing on her own lived experience alongside her academic expertise and cultural knowledge, Dank challenges the oversimplified historical narrative surrounding First Nations peoples in Australia. Terraglossia argues that while other cultures are recognised as dynamic in Australia, First Nations cultures are viewed as belonging to the haze of an ancient past, perpetuating racist tropes of a culture ‘stuck in time’. From her extensive research into semiotics (the study of signs and symbols) during her PhD, Dank questions whether the English language is even capable of adequately valuing First Nations peoples as those with the oldest continuous cultures on Earth. ‘Indeed, if 5000 years is ancient, is it not obvious that this word is not nearly old enough to describe Aboriginal living within our lands from more than 60,000 years?’ This point is reiterated via the imagery of a ‘human history clock’ crafted by the author’s daughter – a graphic designer. Dank’s Terraglossia deserves to be read widely and attentively. It showcases a poignant timeline that will stay with readers long after they’ve put the book down. At a time when Australia faces uncertainty in its reconciliation journey, this book calls on all Australians to view First Nations peoples and their contributions to this land with much-needed nuance.

Books+Publishing reviewer: Eman Mourad is as an Australian-Egyptian emerging writer based on Gadigal land. Books+Publishing is Australia’s number-one source of pre-publication book reviews.

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