Finding the meaning of an Aboriginal word

The Australian Manuscript Collection at the State Library of Victoria holds various letters, diaries and unpublished records related to Aboriginal languages. Phone (03) 8664 7009 for enquiries or email. Some of the collection includes:

• Maroura Dictionary (1863): compiled at the Yelta Mission Station (Victoria).
• Vocabulary (1868): a two page list of vocabulary for Aboriginal language of the Wimmera District Victoria
• Lexicon of Aboriginal language in six dialects (1862): includes the six dialects of Ballarat, Bacchus Marsh, Melbourne Mount Gambier, Gippsland and Wommin

• Australian Indigenous Language Collection; this National Library of Australia guide, organised by state and territory, lists the Indigenous language resources available at the NLA.

• The Federation of Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Languages & Culture :contains a variety of reports, research and language resources

• Vocabulary of the language spoken by the Aborigines of the southern and eastern portions of the settled districts of South Australia (online pamphlet.)

• Walmajarri - English dictionary with English finder list compiled by Eirlys Richards and Joyce Hudson. (North Western Australia.)

• Our languages covers all of Australia containing alternative Aboriginal names, some places of location and bibliographic references
   
• Northern Territory: The Living Archive of Aboriginal Languages is a digital archive of endangered literature in Australian Indigenous languages of the Northern Territory.
   
• South-west of Western Australia- Noongar country; Word lists; Language groups
   
• Boodjar Nyungar placenames: place names from south- west Western Australia
   
• Noongar Dictionary (W.A) by Rose Whitehurst

The index to the word list connects to locations on the Curr's map (linked below) and the full text of the word lists included in The Australian race: its origin, languages, customs.

E.M. Curr. Continental Australia: showing the routes by which the Aboriginal race spread itself throughout the continent,1887. Curr squatted in northern Victoria and produced this work from writings on his experiences living amongst Aboriginal people, together with responses to surveys he circulated.

The library also holds a collection of local history files which are manilla folders containing ephemeral material such as newspaper articles, brochures and some auction brochures.

Some Aboriginal Language files are included in the subject files.

Order these files at an information desk at the Library, or phone 8664 7009.

Earth = nguwa

Fire = warlu

Water = ngapa

Star = wirl

Source: Walmajarri - English dictionary with English finder list (North Western Australia)

LIBRARY CLOSURE  

In line with the stage 3 restrictions announced by the Premier, State Library Victoria closed on Thursday 9 July.

We will advise when there is any update to this situation.

Our Ask A Librarian  reference service is still available to assist with your research inquiries.

• Search our Library catalogue
• Databases, eresources & ebooks
• Ask a librarian
• Become a Library member
• Online learning courses
• How-to videos
• Visit our Library

'First Languages Australia is working toward a future where Aboriginal language communities and Torres Strait Islander language communities have full command of their languages and can use them as much as they wish to.'