Black Words aims to contribute to the ongoing process of reclaiming and maintaining Indigenous languages in Australia.

A small, but valuable way of doing that is to demonstrate the many ways our languages describe storytelling, stories, talking, speaking, and words.

The words and phrases displayed in the above visual are not necessarily exact or literal translations of 'Black Words'. The words and phrases here attempt to encompass what Black Words aims to do - explore, express and share the stories of our people, told in the past and in the present.

Thanks to those who have provided the following information for Black Words.

If you have a translation from your language group that you would like to share, please send it to us at: info-austlit@austlit.edu.au or fill in the feedback form here.

Queensland

• Barrukka means 'talk' in Queensland from a non-specific geographical location (Information from: Australian Aboriginal Words : Aboriginal-English; English-Aboriginal Compiled by Rex Ingamells. Melbourne: Hallcraft, 1955.)

• Gi'yam means 'word' or 'language' in the Wakka language of South Eastern Queensland. (Information from: Vocabularies of Four Representative Tribes of South Eastern Queensland (Brisbane, Qld: Royal Geographical Society of Australia, [195-].)

• Yãm'an means 'speaking' or 'telling' in the Kabi/Gubbi-Gubbi language of South Eastern Queensland. (Information from: Vocabularies of Four Representative Tribes of South Eastern Queensland (Brisbane, Qld: Royal Geographical Society of Australia, [195-].)

• Ngau'rai means 'speak' in the Yugambeh/Yugumbir language of South Eastern Queensland. (Information from: Vocabularies of Four Representative Tribes of South Eastern Queensland (Brisbane, Qld: Royal Geographical Society of Australia, [195-].)

• Yãr'i means 'speak' or 'say' in the Yugarabul/Yuggera/Jaggera language of South Eastern Queensland. (Information from: Vocabularies of Four Representative Tribes of South Eastern Queensland (Brisbane, Qld: Royal Geographical Society of Australia, [195-].)

• Wayma, Gulgunma means 'talk' or 'speak' inYugumbir/Yugambeh dialect of the Bandjalang people of South Eastern Queensland/Northern NSW region. (Information from: A Description of the Yugumbir Dialect of Bandjalang M.C. Cunningham. St. Lucia : University of Queensland Press, 1969.)

South Australia

• Mityi Utyu Wauda means Black Words in Adnyamathanha language of the Flinders Ranges region of South Australia.

• Tjukurpa Maru Tjuta means Black Words in Pitjantjatjara language of the Central Desert region of South Australia.

• Wapar Maru Tjuta means Black Words in Yankunytjatjara language of the Central Desert region of South Australia. (Information courtesy of Guy Tunstill, Project Officer, Aboriginal Languages at the Department of Education and Children's Services.)

Tasmania

• Palawa kani means 'Aboriginal Talk' in Tasmanian Palawa language. (Information courtesy Greg Lehman, Aboriginal Education, Department of Education, Tasmania.)

Western Australia

• Noongar-a-mai-waarngkiny means 'People talk, speaking' in the Nyungar language of South West Western Australia. (Information from the Humphries family, Kellerberrin, WA.)

• Marroo Yinnee means Black Words in the Nyungar language of South West Western Australia. (Information from the Josie Boyle, Morgans, WA.)