A generous donation of $20,000 from Yellow Wiggle Emma Watkins will allow for a Yolngu sign language directory to hit the print house, protecting the native language for future generations.

Yolngu sign language has been used for thousands of years not only for deaf conversation, but to hunt without scaring prey, to recognise cultural silences during mourning, or to conduct secret conversations.

Over the past 25 years, anthropologist and linguist Bentley James has been compiling, documenting, photographing and writing all his learnings of the sign language in the hope of publishing a book to keep the form of communication alive.

The project had been a labour of love, and Dr James struggled to find financial support, until Ms Watkins discovered the project and felt compelled to participate.

"I started reading about the work Dr James had been doing because I have a passion for signed language and remote communities. I had to find a way to speak with [Dr Bentley] to learn more and get involved," Ms Watkins said.

"It's such a wonderful project where there is an opportunity to share this language not only with Australia but with the world."

For Dr Bentley, this donation sees the publication of his Yolngu sign language directory to be a reality by the end of the year.

"We are beyond tickled pink, or tickled yellow I should say!" he said.

Three generations all practising Yolngu sign language. ( Supplied: David Hancock )

'Our very own Mary Poppins'

Dr James, who had been seeking financial support for the learning resource via a GoFundMe campaign, said this generous donation played out like a fairytale in his eyes.

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"This utterly brilliant, fantastical, singing, dancing, miming wonder has come to our rescue — our very own Mary Poppins — I cannot thank Emma enough," he said.

Fans of The Wiggles would recognise Ms Watkins for her regular sign language throughout the children's program.

Ms Watkins said sign language had been a longstanding passion, and she was currently conducting her PhD in sign language, mime and dance.

"I grew up with two deaf friends, so we used to play together and I would play hide and seek with them using sign language," she said.

"I did a few community courses and made friends within the deaf community.

"When I joined The Wiggles I wanted to include as much Australian, American and British sign language into the program as possible."

Now regularly touring with The Wiggles, Ms Watkins said she felt it was vital to include First Nations languages into her repertoire.

"Since learning of this project I am just really excited about the prospect of including Yolngu language and other First Nations' languages," she said.

"This is an opportunity to create awareness of all sign languages across the world."

Preserving a 'globally rare' language

Once published, Dr James's Yolngu sign language directory will be comprised of photography and printed in both Yolngu and English.

"There are 1,800 signs within the Yolngu sign language," he said.

"This is globally rare in that indigenous languages in Australia had sign languages associated with them. Except for American Plains Indians, there is no other evidence of an indigenous language with sign.

"This is utterly Australian. These signs are sparklingly wonderful and not only offer discussion, but description of country."

Sheradin Bukulatjpi is among those who have contributed to the resource, showing sign for 'above'. ( Supplied: David Hancock )

Ms Watkins too believed learning this language would allow her to better connect with remote communities.

"[The Wiggles] try to get to as many places as we can in Australia, and those experiences are so unique when you can communicate together, so I believe that learning this language will benefit a much wider audience," she said.

"It's a wonderful tool for kids and adults to get involved with and see how this language works when interacting in a community."

Dr James said the $20,000 donation would allow for the learning tool to be distributed Australia-wide.

"Now we can hand out books to deaf schools, disadvantaged indigenous schools along with museums and universities. But also, to all the indigenous language services we can find," he said.

"Anybody who comes in contact with this text will learn to communicate. It's a truly wonderful resource and I am so excited to share it with as many communities as possible."