A 92-year-old man tries to save his dying language

The topic is Indigenous Music.

Rosie Sitorus thinks Peter Salmon is very special because he knows a lot about the Thiinma language.

Rosie was looking for Peter for three years. She finally found him and they talked on the phone.

Rosie was in a car park when Peter's grandkids called her. They said Peter was ready to talk.

Rosie was very excited. Peter was calm.

Peter is sitting next to Rosie. He is laughing quietly.

Peter is 92 years old. He has been a stockman in Western Australia. He is the last person who speaks the Thiinma language.

Peter is happy to keep his language alive. He thinks his grandfather would be proud.

Rosie is a linguist. She was working with the Bundiyarra Irra Wangga Language Centre.

Rosie heard about a Thiinma speaker. She wanted to find him.

Peter is good at hiding. Rosie had to look hard to find him.

Peter and Rosie became friends. They started writing songs in Thiinma together.

They formed a band called Warralgurniya. It means singing in the Thiinma language.

Peter and Rosie performed on a TV show. They sang with other musicians.

Peter and Rosie performed in Darwin.

Peter said he starts forgetting his language.

Peter was born on a station. It was 210 miles from Carnarvon.

Peter had a good childhood. His mother taught him the Thiinma language.

Peter started working as a stockman when he was 11 years old.

Peter worked with his uncle. They took care of livestock.

Peter still works on the land.

Peter never went to school. He can count sheep and cattle.

After his mother died, Peter had no one to speak Thiinma with.

Peter said it was good to have someone to talk to in his language.

Peter's sister can speak a little Thiinma. But she was not around.

Peter forgets some words in his language.

Rosie and Peter played their song in Sydney Airport.

Peter was excited to talk to Rosie about his language.

Peter and Rosie became friends. Rosie started learning Thiinma.

Rosie and Peter spend a lot of time together. They talk and drive around.

Rosie and Peter went to a conference in Darwin. They shared their music.

Rosie and Peter had fun together. They went on adventures.

Peter and Rosie connected through music. Peter grew up with music.

Peter's family used to listen to Buddy Williams records.

There was dancing and Aboriginal songs when Peter was young.

Peter showed Rosie a song he wanted her to write.

Rosie was happy to help Peter with his song.

Peter found a musician to help him with his song.

Peter has a language that is not spoken by many people.

Rosie was not sure if Peter would like to be on a TV show.

Peter and Rosie decided to go on the TV show. They wanted to share Thiinma with more people.

Peter and Rosie performed on the TV show. They played their song.

Peter and Rosie were happy to share their music with a wider audience.

Rosie said it was beautiful to blend their cultures with other musicians.

Rosie said the experience was surreal for both of them.

Rosie was happy to see Peter's language on a national stage.

Peter found people he trusted. He shared his language with them.

Peter and Rosie performed a song about Peter's country.

The song is about the importance of water in Peter's country.

Peter's grandson promised to keep his language alive.

Peter was happy to see many people listening to his language.

Peter was happy to share his language with more people.

Rosie and Peter have recorded more songs.

Peter has more songs he wants Rosie to write.

Peter is happy with the progress they have made.

Peter gave Rosie a Thiinma name.

Peter's songs are about his life and experiences.

Rosie is happy to see Peter's talents recognized.

People are surprised that Rosie's best friend is 92 years old.

Rosie and Peter are working to keep the Thiinma language alive.

Peter's grandson promised to take care of the language and the land.

Peter was happy to have someone to talk to in his language.

Rosie says Peter is always protecting and sharing his knowledge.

Everything Peter does is for the next generation.

Rosie says their work is about legacy.

Peter is happy to teach his language to the young.

You can watch Peter and Rosie's performance on ABC iview.