Lesson: Sky and Land – Core Vocabulary

Lesson: Sky and Land – Core Vocabulary

In the table below, you will see the six (6) core vocabulary items that this module will cover relating to words for sky and land. Take a minute to look at the table below, then reflect on the following basic question:

What do you notice about the way Gamilaraay thinks about the sky and the land?

* This word is a newly created word, it comes from dhuuraay (light) and dhawun (earth). You may choose not to use this word based on your own language preferences.

Lesson Instructions

Below you will find recordings of each of the core vocabulary items and some basic description. Each of the audio link directly to the online dictionary on Yaama.org, which has much more detail on the words if you are interested. Listen closely to the audio in each section, then read the description which will help you understand the words. A good way to practice will be to listen to the word, and then repeat after the speaker. The more you listen, and the more you speak, the more it will sink in to your body and you will remember.

Don’t be shy about speaking, the ancestors understand our intent, even if we won’t get the words right every time!

4.1.1. Dhawun.

Dhawun is the Gamilaraay word for earth, ground and dirt. It has also come to mean land and Country in many contemporary resources. Listening to the audio, can you hear how the word starts strong, and slowly fades in loudness towards the end? Listen to the recording and try to repeat it.

4.1.2. Dhuudha

Dhuudha is a newly developed word in Gamilaraay to mean horizon, so there isn’t a recording to point to. To get a sense of how this word sounds, you will need to pay close attention to the main film for this course. The word itself comes from dhuuraay (light) and dhawun (earth). As this is a newly developed word, you may choose not to use this word based on your own language preferences. 

4.1.3. Gunagala.

Gunagala is the Gamilaraay word for sky or heaven. Listen to the word multiple times, and pay close attention to the stress. You do not want to hold the last a in gunagala for too long, because gunagalaa means toilet! Listen to the recording and try to repeat it.

4.1.4. Mayan.

Mayan is the Gamilaraay word for a waterhole, or creek. Be careful, because later on there is a word for watercourse and overflow channel, and mayan does not extend to this meaning! It will come up in the test, so pay attention. Can you hear how the a sounds are the same in the word at both mayan, this can be tricky to get right so listen closely. Listen to the recording and try to repeat it.

4.1.5. Mirii.

Mirii is the Gamilaraay word for star. Listening tot he word, you can hear how the i sound at the end is long mirii. Now that you have listened to a number of audio files, you can probably hear tha the word starts strong and fades out, but that the word still stresses the long vowel. Listen to the recording and try to repeat it.

4.1.6. Warrambul.

Warrambul is the Gamilaraay name for the Milky Way. The name also extends to watercourses that are overflow channels. The onlyine dictionary at yaama.org says specifically that the name is used to refer to overflow channels which have water only during flood times. You may have come across the name on road signs, e.g. Big Warrambool. Listening to the word, you should hear stress on the rr. Listen to the recording and try to repeat it.

4.1.7. Re-watch the core video.

Now that you have been introduced to the core vocabulary items about the sky and the land, watch the main video again, focussing on the ideas that are introduced about how the names and words for these elements are introduced and used. Because there is no wider recording of dhuudha, pay close attention to the speaker, Christopher Orchard, saying it in the video.

2.3.8. Reflect.

This video forms the basis for this unit, so come back to it often. What have you learned so far? Are there any words that have really stuck out to you in this set of core vocabulary items?

When you are ready, move on to the next syllabus item and complete the quiz on the core vocabulary about the sky and the land in this unit.