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!