RUIL's 'word posts' project: resources

The Research Unit for Indigenous Language strives to increase community awareness of the incredible linguistic diversity found in Australia by featuring images of different things (generally nouns), and their words in various Indigenous languages. Our ‘word posts’ appear every three days, and can be found on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram by following us @indiglang. Here is an example:

The languages

We source the words for these posts from a variety of print and online dictionaries. Below is a list of the languages we’ve featured and the resources used to date in this project. If you would like us to include another language in this list, please get in touch and let us know the language and its resource!

Alyawarr: Blackman, D., and Moore, D. 2004. Alyawarr picture dictionary. Alice Springs, N.T: IAD Press

Bilinarra: Meakins, F. 2013. Bilinarra to English dictionary. Batchelor, N.T: Batchelor Press

Bundjalung: Macquarie Aboriginal Words. 1994

Burrara: Glasgow, K. 2012. Burarra Interactive Dictionary

Central Anmatyerr: Green, Jenny. 2003. Central Anmatyerr picture dictionary. Alice Springs, N.T.: IAD Press

Dalabon: Evans, N., Merlan, F., Tukumba, M. and Maningrida Arts and Culture. 2004. A first dictionary of Dalabon (Ngalkbon). Maningrida, N.T: Maningrida Arts and Culture

Dätiwuy: Macquarie Aboriginal Words. 1994

Dharug / Eora: Macquarie Aboriginal Words. 1994

Diyari: Macquarie Aboriginal Words. 1994

Eastern Arrernte: Macquarie Aboriginal Words. 1994

Gooniyandi: Macquarie Aboriginal Words. 1994

Gumbaynggirr: Morelli, S. 2008. Gumbaynggirr dictionary and learner’s grammar =: Gumbaynggirr bijaarr jandaygam, ngaawa gugaarrigam. Nambucca Heads, N.S.W: Muurrbay Aboriginal Language and Culture Co-operative

Gurindji: Meakins, F. 2013. Gurindji to English dictionary. Batchelor, N.T: Batchelor Press

Gurr-goni: Green, R. and Nimbadja, L. 2015. Gurr-goni to English dictionary.

Kaantju: Thompson, D. 1998. ‘Lockhart River “Sand Beach” Language an outline of Kuuku Ya’u and Umpila’. Darwin. N.T: Summer Institute of Linguistics

Kaurna: Macquarie Aboriginal Words. 1994

Kriol: Online Kriol dictionary

Kukatja: Valiquette, H. 1993. A basic Kukatja to English dictionary. Balgo, W.A: Luurnpa Catholic School

Kundedjnjenghmi: Bininj Gun Wok names for plants and animals

Kundjeyhmi: Bininj Gun Wok names for plants and animals

Kune / Mayali: Bininj Gun Wok names for plants and animals

Kuninjku: Bininj Gun Wok names for plants and animals

Kunwinjku: Bininj Gun Wok names for plants and animals

Kuuku Ya’u: Thompson, D. 1998. ‘Lockhart River “Sand Beach” Language an outline of Kuuku Ya’u and Umpila’. Darwin. N.T: Summer Institute of Linguistics

Marra: Heath, J. 1981. Basic Materials in Mara: Grammar, Texts and Dictionary, The Australian National University, Canberra

Mawng: Online Mawng dictionary

Meryam Mir: Macquarie Aboriginal Words. 1994

Murrinhpatha: Macquarie Aboriginal Words. 1994

Narungga: In Narungga aboriginal progress association (Maitland, Australie). 2006. Nharangga warra: Narungga dictionary. Maitland: Narungga aboriginal progress Association

Ngandi: Heath, J. M. 1978. Ngandi grammar, texts, and dictionary. Canberra: Australian Institute of Aboriginal Studies

Ngiyampaa: Macquarie Aboriginal Words. 1994

Nhanda: Blevins, J. 2001. Nhanda: An Aboriginal language of Western Australia. Honolulu: University of Hawaii Press

Nyungar: Macquarie Aboriginal Words (1994) and Whitehurst, R. (1997). Noongar to English Dictionary. Perth, W.A: Noongar Language and Culture Centre

Barkindji / Paakantyi: Macquarie Aboriginal Words. 1994

Pitjantjatjara / Yankunytjatjara: Goddard, C. and Institute for Aboriginal Development (Alice Springs, N.T.). 1992. Pitjantjatjara/Yankunytjatjara to English dictionary. Alice Springs, N.T: Institute for Aboriginal Development

Torres Strait Creole: Macquarie Aboriginal Words (1994)

Umpila: Thompson, D. 1998. ‘Lockhart River “Sand Beach” Language an outline of Kuuku Ya’u and Umpila’. Darwin. N.T: Summer Institute of Linguistics

Wagiman: Wagiman online dictionary 1999-2001. AIATSIS

Wambaya: Nordlinger. 1998. Wambaya Dictionary (unpublished manuscript)

Wembawemba: Macquarie Aboriginal Words. 1994

Wik Mungkan: Macquarie Aboriginal Words. 1994

Wiradjuri: Macquarie Aboriginal Words (1994) and Grant, Stan and Rudder, John (2010) A new Wiradjuri Dictionary. O’Connor, ACT: Restoration House

Yindjibarndi: Macquarie Aboriginal Words. 1994

Yolŋu Matha: Yolnu Matha Dictionary

Images

We source the images for these posts from a variety of free online image databases, which release images free of copyright or licencing restrictions. These include sources such as Pixabay website and Pexels website.

However, sometimes these sources just don’t showcase (enough) the incredible wildlife that Australia has to offer. In these cases, we are helped out by people sharing their own photos with the project. Many thanks to RUIL team members Brighde Collins and Jennifer Green, and to Flickr user Duncan McCaskill. Please get in touch with us if you would like to contribute!