Word Up

Ebony Joachim returns to share the Yorta Yorta names of two major rivers on her Country.

For Word Up this week Ebony Joachim shares the Yorta Yorta word for 'country'.

Yorta Yorta woman Ebony Joachim explains why the suffix '—pna' is often (though not exclusively) used in place names on her Country.

For Word Up this week Ebony Joachim shares a word that is special, not just to Yorta Yorta mob, but also to her because of the people that have passed on in her life.

Yugambeh linguist Shaun Davies delves into the language name itself and the power of names.

Throughout March, Yugambeh linguist Shaun Davies has been delving into the nuance of his language. This week his word selection has been inspired by our previous guest, Lorna Munro.

Linguist and Yugambeh man Shaun Davies shares a word you may have come across before but as Shaun explains when you look at the formation of the word it goes much deeper.

Yugambeh linguist Shaun Davies shares a word that his old people created in the early days of colonisation.

Poet and podcaster Lorna Munro's passion for language has led her to understand the origin of words that she used every day, without knowing they were indeed Wiradjuri – words like nyin – for grandmother, which translates to ‘heart’. Her last word is not so much a word as a conjugation, a Wiradjuri term widely spoken in Aboriginal English, but which is now known across Australia.

Words are something Lorna Munro knows all about — her poetry is widely published, and she’s even translated the King’s speech from Shakespeare’s Henry V into Wiradjuri, the language of the central west of New South Wales. For Word Up this week, she shares a single word that can act as a greeting, ask a question and lay down a philosophical challenge.

Lorna Munro has spent more than half her life engaged in a long research project, to discover how even a monosyllable — a familial term like ‘nan’ — holds a key to understanding how the ancestors thought, and more than that their worldview.

They say some babies grow into their names. Meanwhile others fully inhabit the name their parents choose, as if it was ordained to be so before they were born. That’s what Lorna Munro found when she named her son a particularly beautiful word in Gomeroi, her father’s language.

Poet and podcaster Lorna Munro explains how meaning and a particular worldview is embedded, and embodied, in the Gomeroi word 'yilaalu'.

Ray Ingrey is a Dharawal man and chairperson of the Gujaga Foundation. Based in La Perouse it was created to instil a sense of cultural belonging in the area, and for Ray learning Dharawal language is central to this mission.

Singer-songwriter Royston Sagigi-Baira (also known as Royston Noel) shares some Kala Lagaw Ya and explains why he loves being an uncle.

Stephanie Skinner is a traditional owner of Wadawurrung country and she started learning her language as a kid, before eventually building her conversational skills and becoming a passionate language advocate.

For Word Up this week, Merindi Schreiber shares some Kuku Yalanji, including a phrase that encapsulates what learning means to her.

For Word Up this week, Rulla Kelly-Mansell shares some palawa kani — a constructed language based on various languages spoken around the east of the island.

For Karuna Narangga woman Elaine Magias learning her language wasn't just something she wanted to do, it was something she needed to do.

Maya Johnson is a Wulgurukaba woman, from Magnetic Island. For Word Up this week she shares the cultural name of the island and explains how it came to be formed.

Juanita Scott-Funaki is a Yuin and Kamilaroi woman who grew on New South Wales' south coast. This week she shares some Yuin words that remind her of her beloved grandfather. 

Musician Nathan May shares some of his language — Arabana.

Central and Eastern Arrernte man Craig Tilmouth grew up in and around Mparntwe (Alice Springs). He shares some Arrernte language, including a few phrases likely to be heard around Mparntwe.

Clark Webb has been hugely influential in bringing Gumbaynggirr back into his home community, even helping establish the Gumbaynggirr Giingana Freedom School.

Actor and singer Ursula Yovich's love of languages is intrinsically linked with her love of music. For Word Up today Ursula is sharing some of her mother's language, Burarra.