6 
the Minninng thalidd.* Here, too, it is to be observed one word 
as in Larraki‘a, expresses both eating and drinking. 
The same expression “sitting down” for residing or abiding 
with is observable in the Larraki‘a of the north, the Narrinyeri 
of South Australia, and among the aborigines on the eastern coast 
of New South Wales; and I doubt not such other idioms as ‘‘ Me 
been lose ’em; by-and-bye me find ’em” (I forgot it; I shall 
remember presently), ‘Him bite me” (a thorn prick), “all about” 
(many), “ Water sit down” (a pool of water is there), “ What 
name!” (what is it? what am I to do?) are equally widespread. 
Idiomatic turns of expression deserve more attention than they 
receive, and they should be recorded word for word both in the 
native tongue and in the blackfellow’s interpretation in English. 
In concluding my paper, I wish to express my thanks to the 
Rev. Father O’Brien, 8.J., of the Northern Territory Mission, 
for much valuable information concerning the Larraki‘a. 
ORTHOGRAPHY. 
a, as ain father; @, as in mate; for a in mat, double the con- 
sonant, as matt, fann. 
i for ee in esteem and for y in any; also frequently for we in 
German muede; foriin kitchen double the consonant, as kittchen. 
ei for ey in they 
ei Fees Smet 
Le ee Oe 
CBs why Oey 
aw“ ow “* now 
ao * ao ‘ Macao, and aw in fawn 
wy hoo + fool, mm fall 
kw “ qu “ queen 
g, as in gun; 7 for g in gin 
dj for dg in dudgeon; jj for dge in judge 
kh, guttural only 
The aspirate is represented by the sign (‘ ). 
Letters in italics are frequently elided or only indicated. 
Norr.—The aspirate is often associated with the sound of y, 
as in Larrakiy‘a, ity‘uma, padjy‘, &c.; although much import- 
ance is attached to it, on account of its redundancy and follow- 
ing the usual custom I have omitted it except in a few words. 
The letters f and v appear, but the former is rather pf or bf, and 
the latter partook of a y quality. Ther final in the Wiulnar is 
usually a reproduction of the Cockney final, represented by r’ in 
Glossic, rather than an r. To a European ear di is usually heard 
as 1, rarely as d; but the Larraki‘a is less concerned at the omis- 
sion of / if the d sound is retained ; 7 is often mistaken for /. 
*Lindsay’s ‘“‘Journal of the Elder Scientific Exploring Expedition, 
1891-2 ”’—vocabularies by L. A. Wells. 
