First Nations Language Collection

Grosvenor Street, Toowong, S.W.1. 28th February, 1940.

Dear Sir,

In replying to your letter of 27th inst. asking for aboriginal words meaning plenty of water, I have no knowledge of the western languages, but the word kung, or koong, a word meaning water, was used by the natives over a large part of S.E.Q'land including the Darling Downs and probably was in vogue at Roma. If the name is to be applied to a large extent of water the words koong gumai, meaning big water, may suit. These are Logan district words. Common Kabi (Wide Bay) words for plenty, much & many, are maiyan, murrin, and murra, differing so with locality or speaker. If the name is to apply to a place where the water is plentifully available I would suggest the name Kunģamuŕra (Koong(a)murra) as being the most euphonious. The intermediate letter a (to be barely accented) is inserted to liquify the sound of the compound word as is aboriginal custom.

I have some hesitation in suggesting a name for a western place because the adjectival syllables here given may have quite different meanings in the local dialect.

Surely two such common words might have been acquired locally from some old hand who has been in contact with the blacks about Roma.

Yours faithfully, FJWatson (F.J.Watson).

To/ Mr. Sydney May, Hon. Secretary, Place Names Committee, University of Queensland.

Kobbo-walla

Mr May

I am sure that this will interest you.

At the farewell to the Governor General the Cherbourg blacks sang ,according to newspaper reports,

Gnurri yarrum barrvon brung Khung bung gun gorrenda thangoon. Si. Si.

And the interpretation given was-

"We are sorry friends to say Goodye. May the SpiritFather go with you to your homeland is our wish."

I wonder if the G.G. took the interpretation with him. I give my interpretation and corrected spelling hereunder.

Ngairi yaman barbvon byrunga kung We tell father remember ( on )water

bangun guran-dya dhungan much long way watch over. (Aboriginal short hand).

No doubt some inflections have been missed.

[in pencil box] I am sure Mr Firman McKinnon would be interested.

FJ Watson