An Indigenous academic says he’s undertaking a project to determine the true meanings of place names derived from the Nyungar language in south-west Australia.
The University of Western Australia’s Len Collard says 50 per cent of towns in the region have names of Nyungar origins.
Professor Collard will use a database of more than 10,000 words to break down and cross-check place names and given meanings.
He says it’s an important project for the historical recognition of Nyungar people.
“The idea of reconstructing and interpreting the meanings of the places, I think, is another avenue for young Nyungars and non-Nyungar people to embrace the understanding one of the oldest language cultures in the world in this part of Aboriginal Australia.
“I think for developers and for people that live in particular places, it will give them a better understanding and link to country to know more about the sense of the place where they might live or work.”
- This article originally appears at:
- http://www.nirs.org.au/news/latest-news/7583-nyungar-place-names-to-have-meanings-deciphered
- Article taken from the following publication:
- National Indigenous Radio Service
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