Australia: Aboriginal Languages

What is Australian aboriginal language? How many languages do they speak in Australia? Learn about Aboriginal languages here.

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Australia is a diverse country, and has been inhabited by people for around 65,000 years. The original inhabitants are the Aboriginal people.
There are more than 250 indigenous languages used within Australia, and about 800 different dialects. Each language is unique to many one of the different Aboriginal tribes within Australia.

In some areas these languages and dialects are spoken more often. For example, Pitjantjatjara is used in the Western desert in Western Australia. With about 4,264 native speakers of this language and dialect, it is one of the most common spoken languages still amongst the Aboriginal people in Australia.

Another common language still used today is called Djambarrpuyngu. This is mainly used by the Aboriginal tribes that live in the Arnhem Land, which is in the Northern Territory.  

Some other languages still spoken in Aboriginal communities are Greater Pama–Nyungan, Laragiya, Tiwi, Bunaban, Daly, Limilngan, Djeragan, and Nyulnyulan.

There are many different Aboriginal languages, used by different Aboriginal groups. These groups include:

• The Koori, who represent Aboriginal people from the South East of the Australian mainland, including the state of Victoria and the city of Melbourne.
• Noongars are the Aboriginal people from the South West of the Australian mainland, including South Australia.
• Murri’s are Aboriginal people from Queensland and Northern New South Wales.
• Palawa are Aboriginal people from Tasmania (one of the oldest tribes of Aboriginals in the entire world). 
• Yolngu people are from Northern Australia including Alice Springs.

 
Throughout the years, Aboriginal dialects have been translated into modern day English. Here are some common Aboriginal words with their English meanings:
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• Barcoo: A river, or when you are sick.
• Barramundi: A type of fish from Queensland.
• Bilby: A rabbit.
• Billabong: A billabong is a creek or a lake cut off from the main water supply. Usually found in the mountains.
• Binghi: Is another name for an Aboriginal from the northern New South Wales area called Newcastle. It also means elder brother.
• Bogong moth: A large flying insect that Aboriginals used as a food source many years ago. Bogong was a mountain area in New South Wales where Aboriginals used to live.
• Boomerang:  A curved flat piece of wood that can be thrown so that it will return to the thrower. Traditionally used by Australian Aboriginal people as a hunting weapon.
• Bunyip: A mythical monster inhabiting rivers. It usually features in stories or fairytales within Aboriginal tribes.
• Didgeridoo: An Aboriginal wind instrument. Traditionally, the tribes from Arnhem Land play this long wooden instrument when boys come of age.

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Read the information above and find the answers to the questions below!

Question 1: 

How long have humans lived in Australia?

Question 2:

How many people speak Pitjantjatjara?

Question 3:
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What is a Bilby?

Question 4:

Where do Bunyips live?

Question 5:

How many indigenous languages are there in Australia?

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​Answers:

When you are ready, check your answers below
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Question 1: 

How long have humans lived in Australia? Around 65,000 years

Question 2:

How many people speak Pitjantjatjara? 4,264 people

Question 3:

What is a Bilby? A rabbit

Question 4:

Where do Bunyips live? In the river

Question 5:

How many indigenous languages are there in Australia? More than 250