by gillicious
This week's tutorial, was yet another interesting discussion in class (even though it was mainly regarding issues our tutor found in our first assignment >.<) but I think what really struck me the most was the correct terminology we should use when writing about this subject. I think when writing about these kind of things, especially about people of a different race, you get really self-concious in using the correct terminology that wont offense anyone. I remember last semester when writing an essay about the changes in representation of African American people in advertising and how uneasy I was in what word I should use and whether what I wrote was still considered to be offensive or not and I think it goes the same way for this subject. It's a really sensitive issue, considering the history of what Aboriginal and Torres Islander people have gone through since the colonisation and how their history has included discrimination. Especially in learning about this unique culture, I believe that it's important to take this into account because the last thing you want to do is use inappropriate words.
So, what is actually appropriate? What words can we use?
Here's just some info I found looking around the Internet...
1. Aborigine/ Aboriginal
Aboriginal person, not Aborigine
Use of Aboriginal:
- As an adjective, not as a noun - Aboriginal person not an Aboriginal
- Aboriginal people does not include Torres Islander people, thus, when referred to should be mentioned separately.
2. Indigenous
It is mentioned that many Aboriginal and Torres Islander people do not prefer to be called by this terminology as it is vague and unspecific, Aboriginal people feel it diminishes their Aboriginality.
While not preferred, it is acceptable given it is used properly using capitalisation - Indigenous people
3. First people/ Australians
This terminology is acceptable when used in the relevant context.
Use these terms to emphasise that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people lived on this continent before the European invasion. (1)
4. Self-Identifying terms
Goore - is usually used by Aboriginal people in northern NSW coastal regions
Koori - is usually used by Aboriginal people in parts of NSW and Victoria
Murri - is usually used by Aboriginal people in north-west NSW and Queensland
Nunga - is usually used by Aboriginal people in South Australia
Yolngu - is usually used by Aboriginal people in Northern Territory (north-east Arnhem Land)
Anangu - is usually used by Aboriginal people in Central Australia
Noongar - is usually used by Aboriginal people in south-west Western Australia (2)
These terminologies are normally used only between Aboriginal people amongst themselves and should only be used non-Indigenous people when given permission.
5. Non-Aboriginal people/ Non-Indigenous people
Preferable - Non Aboriginal and Torres Islander people
Acceptable - Non-Indigenous people
6. Abbreviation terminologies are considered to be offensive
7. Always use capitalise the first letter
Aboriginal people
Indigenous people
Torres Strait Islander people
8. Part of Australia
It's important to refer Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people as Australians and not to imply exclusion:
‘Most Australians continue to see Aboriginal people...’ This infers that Aboriginal people are not Australian, which is incorrect. The correct terminology is:
‘Most non-Aboriginal Australians continue to see Aboriginal people...’(3)
After reading articles, I will definite pay more attention to how and what I write. I guess I just never realized that there's so many issues and considerations to take into account and it's just amazing when you actually do some research and how many things you can discover. While it's just a name and a terminology of describing someone, without a question, it's more than that. A name holds so much connotations about history and ideas they are related to and I think the correct choice of words does make a big difference. Anyways, I hope you found that as helpful as I found it.
Until next time!
References:
(1-3) NSW Department of Health. Communicating
Positively: A guide to Appropriate Aboriginal Terminology (North Sydney:
NSW Department of Health, 2004), accessed Septermber 7, 2011, http://www.health.nsw.gov.au/pubs/2004/pdf/aboriginal_terms.pdf.
For more info and the correct use of other terminologies, check out the link above and below!
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