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Kangaroo ? I don't understand !

 
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Ahaw



Joined: 02 Apr 2007
Posts: 104
Location: France, Antibes
PostPosted: Wed May 30, 2007 7:28 pm    Post subject: Kangaroo ? I don't understand ! Reply with quote
Hi there !

Another old rumour I've heard long time ago : the Aboriginal word KANGAROO means "I do not understand"... This is what an Aboriginal answered to a White colonialist who asked him in English what the hell was that strange creature over there !
The rumour says that the general original Aboriginal term is WALLABY but that this misinterpretation perpetrated through centuries.

But on the other hand, I have seen the word KANGAROO used by Aboriginal people to describe that big "wallaby" (in the titles of some of their Dreamtime Paintings)... And if "kangaroo" really meant "I do not understand" I doubt that Aboriginal people would use it the wrong way.

Any clues ?

Something funny to end this message > the term YUCATAN also means (though in Mayan language this time) "we do not understand your words" > Ma c'ubah than.
Spanish colonialists kept that term to designate the meso-American peninsula, nowadays in Mexico.
I wonder how many cross-cultural words result of such mis-understandings !!!
Very Happy
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ididjaustralia
Site Admin


Joined: 22 Mar 2007
Posts: 912
Location: Australia
PostPosted: Thu May 31, 2007 1:06 am    Post subject: Re: Kangaroo ? I don't understand ! Reply with quote
Hi Ahaw,

Interesting thought... As far as I know, that funny whitefella Captain Cook was the first to record that word, way back in 1770. Apparently the word is from the Guugu Yimidhirr language of north Queensland and it is for one type of kangaroo. Bindi, do you know anyone who speaks Guugu Yimidhirr who can confirm this?

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bindi



Joined: 09 Apr 2007
Posts: 39
Location: Gubbi Gubbi Country [SEQld Aust]
PostPosted: Thu May 31, 2007 11:01 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
It's Gangurru in Guugu Yimidhirr, I will confirm it with a Woman I know, now to find her. Confused

Edit: found this link http://www.adelaide.edu.au/library/guide/hum/ling/exams/98FL.pdf A3

I will check it , the Uni's often get it wrong. Sad
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Ahaw



Joined: 02 Apr 2007
Posts: 104
Location: France, Antibes
PostPosted: Thu May 31, 2007 4:35 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
Thanks Guan & Bindi !

So all this was yet another false rumour (still to be confirmed by a-woman-Bindi-knows Wink )
This "Rumour Mill" is a great idea ! Contributes to education through demystification !
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latindidg



Joined: 11 Dec 2007
Posts: 5
PostPosted: Tue Dec 11, 2007 3:36 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
uh cool information!

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