australian aboriginal place names?

Answer 1

I had to search the internet, but here we go.

Hume and Hovell, explorers, recorded the Aboriginal word "jillong" in 1824, thought to mean land or cliffs, when they came to Corio Bay. The name "Geelong" was derived from the Aboriginal word, and was given to the area by Governor Bourke in 1837 when he visited Port Phillip and also formerly named Melbourne and Williamstown.

Answer 2

There are over 1000 place names in South Australia alone, which still carry names either given to them by, or taken from the language of, the traditional owners. With about 32 language groups plus many variations on these languages by sub groups (or 'hordes') the task of giving the original meanings becomes major. Particularly when we have names like Burra Burra, which some claim to be Aboriginal and some claim to be Indian. Other names have been taken from an (tribal) area by the ill-informed invaders, and given to a geographical place often many hundreds of miles from the source, and probably half a dozen or so language groups seperation also. Many languages were either not recorded, or recorded in only a minor way. I have five quite comprehensive word lists and about a dozen more where only 20 or so words are recorded. Maybe some day somebody will re-introduce some of these sleeping languages back to the people. In the meantime, if anybody would like any information on Aboriginal place names from South Australia, feel welcome to contact me. Tjampita Putapulka on [e-mail]

Answer 3

I work at some aboriginal communities on a rotation basis.

I always have a chuckle when the powers to be come up with a place name of about 25 letters (true, they do!).

They use spelling that no-one could possible understand, pronounce, or free spell. All this from a language that has never ever been a written language.

Why don't they use the KISS system & keep it simple instead of confusing the matter?

Anyway, that's my two cents worth!

Answer 4

No, they are commonly British, yet a becoming style of rabid nationalistic exertions councils and Governments are changing comprehensible English names with incomprehensible Aboriginal names, just to be politically the final option. Toowoomba, Oodnadatta and Wagga Wagga are some pronounceable derivations of Aboriginal names. maximum folk distant places have heard of Ayres Rock and the Olgas, yet what proportion have heard of Uluru and Kata Juta?

Answer 5

The aboriginal name for earth is : yerta
The river running through adelaide is the torrens river, the aboriginal name for that is : Karrawirra Parri
Victoria Square : Tandanyangga
beach : wauwa.

This is taken from the South Australian "Kaurna" pronounced "Garna" Aboroginal dialect, there are so many different aboriginal dialects all over Australia.
This is just a small example of one.

Answer 6

Woolloomooloo popular sydney suburb and home of finger wharf, the guiness book of records world's largest wooden structure. There are a few meanings put forward, I like "field of blood" because it was a traditional tribal fighting area - not much has changed ha ha.

Answer 7

OK - you got the wrong category but I'll chip in a bit.

Anything that is doubled up means 'lots of' something. Like Wagga Wagga means lots of crows. Kurri Kurri means lots of something ... parrots I think ... but I'm probably way off the mark.

Answer 8

Puckapunyal= wind in the hills, ironic with an Army base up there
Yarra= crazy man

Answer 9

This is all i can come up with.
Hope this is what you were looking for.

http://www.livingharbour.net/aboriginal/place_names_chart.htm

Answer 10

Canberra means meeting place.