Descriptive and comparative study of the Gunwingguan languages, Northern Territory

Abstract

The Australian Aborigine is a member of a nomadic hunting and gathering society. The area over which any particular language speaking group ranges is usually defined by water and food supplies, and by informal agreement between groups.^ In Arnhem Land, Northern Territory, the traditional language territories are mainly located along rivers, creeks and the coast. As European settlement of the Territory increased, Aboriginal groups migrated towards centers of European activity, drawn by the desire for various ’goods’ including processed food-stuffs, tobacco, the ’bright lights’ (and for some in th.e early days there was the desire for 2 opium, replaced recently by alcohol). Missions, cattle and buffalo stations, and later government settlements also provided an incentive to the aborigines to concentrate their nomadic wanderings to a smaller area. As a result, today there are a number of language groups settled together, whereas previously they ranged over their own separate territories. Most of these groups still live a semi-nomadic life, and all of them maintain an emotional tie with their The Australian Aborigine is a member of a nomadic hunting and gathering society. The area over which any particular language speaking group ranges is usually defined by water and food supplies, and by informal agreement between groups. In Arnhem Land, Northern Territory, the traditional language territories are mainly located along rivers, creeks and the coast. As European settlement of the Territory increased, Aboriginal groups migrated towards centers of European activity, drawn by the desire for various ’goods’ including processed food-stuffs, tobacco, the ’bright lights’ (and for some in th.e early days there was the desire for opium, replaced recently by alcohol). Missions, cattle and buffalo stations, and later government settlements also provided an incentive to the aborigines to concentrate their nomadic wanderings to a smaller area. As a result, today there are a number of language groups settled together, whereas previously they ranged over their own separate territories. Most of these groups still live a semi-nomadic life, and all of them maintain an emotional tie with their Show more