2019 International Year of Indigenous Languages: Word of the Week - Week Forty-Eight.
By administrator | 26 November 2019
As part of State Library's commitment to the 2019 International Year of Indigenous Languages, we will be promoting a 'word of the week' from one of the 125+ Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander languages and dialects from across Queensland.
This week's word is nhani from the Garaynbal language of Central Queensland. It means 'land, earth, country' and affirms the connection of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to land, sea and sky.
Garaynbal, also known as Garingbal, Karingbal, Karranbal, etc. is considered a part of the Biri chain of languages extending from Central Queensland towards Townsville. There are shared words with neighbouring languages of Yambina, Yangga and Gangulu.
Some historical wordlists such as the above from "Head of the Comet River" exist for Garaynbal; however, linguistic work by Tindale then Breen and Terrill have created much of the language content for Garaynbal.
Join the conversation as we post a new word for each week!
Week Forty-Eight 26 November-2 December 2019.
#slqIYIL #IYIL2019 #IYIL #IY2019WordoftheWeek #SLQIndigenousLanguages
Desmond Crump
Indigenous Languages Coordinator, State Library of Queensland
State Library of Queensland Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Languages Webpages
State Library of Queensland Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Languages Map
Jarjum stories: A kuril dhagun showcase focusing on children’s books and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander languages. 19 October 2019-10 May 2020.
Spoken: celebrating Queensland languages: A major exhibition exploring the survival and revival of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander languages throughout Queensland. Join in the many talks and events to celebrate the rich and diverse languages spoken today. 21 November 2019 -19 April 2020.
UN IY2019 Links
UN International Year of Indigenous Languages webpages
UN International Year of Indigenous Languages Resources
References
The word of the week has been sourced from the following item in the State Library collections.
Source: Terrill, A. (1998) Biri. J 499.15 TER
Further Reading
Other materials in the State Library collections relating to Garaynbal and neighbouring languages, include the following:
Breen, G. (2009) “The Biri dialects and their neighbours”. Transactions of the Royal Society of South Australia, V133, No.2. SER 506.942
Curr, E. M. (1887) The Australian Race: its origins, languages, customs, place of landing in Australia and the routes by which it spread itself over that continent. RBF 572.994 cur
Roth, W. E. (1898-1903) "Reports to the Commissioner of Police and others, on Queensland aboriginal peoples 1898-1903." FILM 0714
Terrill, A. (1998) Biri. J 499.15 TER
Tindale, N. B. (1974) Aboriginal Tribes of Australia: Their Terrain, Environmental Controls, Distribution, Limits and Proper Names. Q 994.0049915 tin
Comments
Your email address will not be published.
We welcome relevant, respectful comments.