FIRE Carriers
First Nations Language
We use words and language everyday. In 1788 there were between 250 and 750 different First Nation languages spoken in Australia.
When Indigenous people were living in missions and reserves, they were taught to speak English and many languages were lost.
Today, there are nine Indigenous languages in Australia, where more than 1000 people speak a traditional language as their first language.
The survival of these languages is helped by bilingual education, meaning that the traditional language and English are taught in schools.
Here are some words from the Boonwurrung people:
| English | Boonwurrung |
| Plants | |
| Wattle | Garron |
| Banksia | Warrak |
| Birds | |
| Pelican | Wadjil |
| Emu | Barraimal |
| Mammals | |
| Bandicoot | Bung |
| Dingo | Yarrangin |
| Aquatic animals | |
| Frog | Ngarrindjeri |
| Shark | Darrak |
References:
Macquarie Junior Atlas of Indigenous Australia 2022
Wikipedia- Boonwurrung language - Animals and plants
This is a map of all of the First Nation languages
This is a map of all of the First Nation languages
By Connor W