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Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander word lists

The State Library of Queensland acknowledges that the language heritage and knowledge of these word lists always remains with the Traditional Owners, language custodians and community members of the respective language nations.

These pages include a number of word lists on various topics to support communities in their work to revive, document and preserve Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander languages. The language content is drawn from a range of historical texts found in State Library's collections.

Note: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander languages are oral languages that have only been written since European settlement; there may be several variations in spelling and pronunciation. Check with local language custodians as to the preferred local word and its’ spelling and pronunciation.

How do I pronounce Aboriginal sounds?

In pronouncing Aboriginal words, there are some sounds which are quite different to English and require practice.

English sound Aboriginal sound
dh Pronounced with the tongue at the back of the teeth. Can sound like 'th'
ng Closest to 'ng' sound found in singer.
ny Closest to 'n' sound found in onion.
rr Rolled 'r' sound, similar to a Scottish 'r'.

How do I pronounce Torres Strait Islander sounds?

In pronouncing Torres Strait Islander language words, there are some sounds which are quite different to English and require practice.

English sound Torres Strait Islander sound
dh Pronounced with the tongue at the back of teeth. Can sound like 'th'.
dz Can sound similar to 'dj'.
ng Closest to 'ng' sound found in singer.
oi Prolonged sound that can be between 'oi' and 'ai'.
p,s and z Sound similar to English.

 

Say G'day (pdf)

Say G'day Wordlist

PDF · 649 KB

Brisbane animal words (PDF)

Brisbane animal words (PDF

PDF · 155 KB

Aboriginal loanwords in English

Aboriginal loanwords in English

PDF · 226 KB

Djabugay Everyday Words

Djabugay Everyday Word

PDF · 169 KB

Dyirbal Everyday Words

Dyirbal Everyday Words

PDF · 332 KB

Gunggay Everyday Words (PDF)

Gunggay Everyday Words

PDF · 239 KB

Indigenous numbers (PDF 316.1 KB)

Indigenous numbers (PDF 316.1 KB)

PDF · 479 KB

Sunny Murri Christmas

PDF · 244 KB

Torres Strait Everyday Words (PDF)

Torres Strait Everyday Words (PDF)

PDF · 301 KB

Wulguru Everyday Words

PDF · 254 KB

Yidiny Everyday Words (PDF)

Yidiny Everyday Words

PDF · 155 KB

Yugara everyday words

PDF · 240 KB

Yugambeh Everyday Words

Yugambeh Everyday Words

PDF · 256 KB

Body parts

These pages provide a range of word lists on body parts to support communities in their work to revive, document and preserve Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander languages. Some of these wordlists complement the Gambara Gamu Biyu body chart poster; while others have been collated from State Library collection items.

Note: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander languages are oral languages that have only been written since European settlement; there may exist variations in spelling and pronunciation.  The following wordlists should be seen as a guide only - always consult local language speakers/custodians as to the preferred pronunciation.

Aboriginal sounds

In pronouncing Aboriginal words, there are some sounds which are quite different to English and require practice.

'dh' is different to English - it is pronounced with the tongue at the back of the teeth.

'dj' is similar to English - it can be between ‘j’ and ‘ch’.

'ng' is one sound in Aboriginal languages and is different to the 'n' sound in English - it is closest to the 'ng' sound found in singer.

'nh' is different to English - it is pronounced with the tongue at the back of the teeth.

'ny' is one sound in Aboriginal languages - it is closest to the 'n' sound found in onion.

'rr' is a rolled 'r' sound similar to a Scottish 'r'; at the end of a word it may sound like ‘d’.

Barunggam body parts

PDF · 246 KB

Butchulla language body parts

PDF · 273 KB

Duungidjawu body parts (PDF)

Duungidjawu body parts (PDF)

PDF · 228 KB

Dharumbal language body chart  (PDF 258.0 KB)

Dharumbal language body chart  (PDF 258.0 KB)

PDF · 264 KB

Gunggari language body chart (PDF 261.6 KB)

Gunggari language body chart (PDF 261.6 KB)

PDF · 268 KB

Gooreng Gooreng body parts

PDF · 235 KB

Kala Kawaw Ya body chart (PDF 259.0 KB)

Kala Kawaw Ya body chart (PDF 259.0 KB)

PDF · 265 KB

Kuku Yalanji body parts

PDF · 242 KB

Nggerrikwidhi body parts.pdf

Nggerrikwidhi language body parts

PDF · 144 KB

Nggerrikwidhi body parts.pdf

Nggerrikwidhi language body parts

PDF · 144 KB

Pitta Pitta Body Parts

PDF · 160 KB

Turubul Body Parts (PDF)

Turubul Body Parts PDF

PDF · 249 KB

Warrgamay Language

PDF · 287 KB

Waka Waka body parts (PDF)

Waka Waka body parts (PDF)

PDF · 260 KB

Yugarabul body parts (PDF)

Yugarabul body parts (PDF)

PDF · 244 KB

Yugambeh body parts (PDF)

Yugambeh body parts (PDF

PDF · 264 KB

Yuwaalaraay body parts word list [PDF 218KB]

Yuwaalaraay body parts word list [PDF 218KB]

PDF · 326 KB

Yuwibara body parts (PDF)

Yuwibara body parts (PDF)

PDF · 241 KB