Overview: ngamala nina?

Module 4: ngamala nina?

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FINISH

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Overview ngamala nina?

This module builds on the language introduced in mina Palawa. You will learn the question word (where) to ask about location, and the attachment (in) to describe where someone is. Together, this new language help you move from making simple statements about yourself to asking and answering questions about others. This supports your ability to make short conversational exchanges. ​ ​ A key focus of this module is exploring palawa kani place names. Using the interactive online map, you will search for places across Lutruwita/Tasmania and practise incorporating them into short dialogues. ​ ​ In doing so, you will not only strengthen your conversational skills but also deepen your understanding of palawa kani place names and their connection to Country.

ngamala

-ti

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Learning Objectives

By the end of this module, you will be able to:​

• Ask and answer ngamala? (Where?) questions about location.
• Use -ti (in) to describe where a person is
• Find palawa kani place names using the Place Names Map
• Practise speaking and listening through simple dialogues

and model questions.​​

Target Langauge

• Nameing words (nouns):
• Question Words:
• ​Attachements:

palawa kani Place Names

ngamala/where

-ti/in

Pre-existing Knowledge

• Nameing words (nouns):

• Pronouns:

luna/woman,

waypa/man,

pliri/boy,

Audio

Audio

luwana/girl,

Palawa/Tasmanian Aboriginal

mina/I; me,

nina/you

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Working Through the Module

To find palawa kani place names, see page 90- 109 of the mina tunapri nina kani palawa kani Dictionary, 2019.

It is recommended that you have a copy of this mina tunapri nina kani palawa kani Dictionary (Tasmanian Aboriginal Centre, 2019), with you as you work through the module to support opportunities for deeper learning.​ ​

palawa kani Words for Places

All these names are the authentic names of those places from the language of the area, if that name still exists. These palawa kani words are not a translation of English place names. The Aboriginal word was the first to refer to these places, and the English word was imposed later by Europeans. ​ ​ Also, our ancestors did not ‘name‘ places in the ways we now do. Many words translated by recorders as the ‘name‘ for a specific place are also the same words as those for geographical features or can include parts of those other words. This is not just specific to Tasmanian languages - Aboriginal place naming systems are different to those of white people and much more complex. There are also many names for places which do not have European names and are not named on maps. ​ ​

Audio

As of 2025, Initial capitals are now used for palawa kani place names, as well as for the names of people and ancestral collectives. This change reflects the natural evolution of the language and aligns with current community usage.

Audio

FINISH

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nayri!

Good! Continue to the next lesson on 'Talking About Location'