RIC-0667 Aboriginal Cult 5-6

Aboriginal Languages – Introduction
Teachers Notes
The Nyungar people are a group of Aboriginal people whose territory and language
comes from the south-west of Western Australia. There are now only a few speakers
of this language. The Nyungar territory extends from Perth, to the wheatbelt in
the north-east and to the southern Goldfields, then down to the southern coast.
Examples of words from this language are used in the following activities. (If you
have access to an Aboriginal language in your area, use that instead.)
Note: There are over 250 different documented Aboriginal languages and dialects
with varying pronunciations. It is strongly suggested you contact a local
Aboriginal language speaker.
• Work as a class. Write an Aboriginal word on a sheet of paper. Ask ‘What
does this word mean?’ Accept all answers.
• Tell the students that it is an Aboriginal word. Tell them the meaning of the
word in English.
• Using the information sheet on page 46, tell the students that Aboriginal
people have their own languages, and give them some background
information.
• Ask students if they are able to speak another language. What is it?
• Write the Nyungar words onto cards to use for activities in this section.
• Display the words to the students. (You may wish to draw pictures of the
words on the cards also to assist with the students’ understanding.)
• Complete the worksheet together.
• Display the Nyungar words written on cards.
• Put your hand over the picture and ask students what the word means in
English.
• Play a game of ‘Simon Says’, using the Nyungar words.
• Photocopy the worksheet onto card.
• Give the students the opportunity to cut out the cards and then play a game
of snap or a memory game.
• As a class tell the students that people from all over the world speak many
different languages, including Aboriginal people.
• Display the Nyungar words on card.
• You may wish to draw a picture on a piece of paper and ask students to
point out the correct word to write next to the picture.
• Discuss the worksheet together and complete it.
Answers
1. (a) no (b) yes (c) yes
2. Across – (2) mangkarr (3) djena (4) mulya
Down – (1) marra (2) mayel
Body Parts
(page 50)
Aboriginal Word
Games
(page 51 – 52)
©R.I.C. Publications
Low Resolution Images
Display Copy
Aboriginal
Language Quiz
(page 53)
Communication
www.ricgroup.com.au R.I.C. Publications 49Australian Aboriginal Culture 49
ISBN 978-1-86311-807-1