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6
THE ABORIGINES OF VICTORIA:

they indicate a common origin, or merely suggest the probability of a small infusion of words of Sanscrit derivation through the occasional visits of Arabs or Malays, it is difficult to say. The latter supposition appears not improbable."

Mr. Threlkeld, quoting from a paper furnished him by W. A. Miles, Esq., gives the following comparisons:—

Australian. Sanscrit.
—— ——
Nau-wai, a canoe Nai, a ship; Persian, naô.
Murri nauwai, a ship Neoya, naval.
Makoro Matsyah, a fish.
Wonnai Yuvana, a young person.
Maiya ———Persian, mar, snakes.
Marai, spirit Mara, death.
Yuring, a canoe Iri, a radical, to go.
Nukung Adguna, a woman.
Murrakeen Kanya, a girl.
Wakun, from the cry Ka, ka, a crow.
Wak-wak-wak Waka, a crane.
Punnul Bhanu, the sun.
Kui Ooo, to sound.
Bo, to be one's self Bhu, to be.
Yamma, to stop from harm, to guide, to lead Tama, to stop.
Yinal, son; Yinalkun, daughter Yauwana, youth.

Mr. Taplin says he made a collection, some time since, of those words of the native language which most resemble English words, or words of languages from which English is derived. The words he has given are, he adds, pure native, that is, Yarildewallin.

I here quote a few of these words from Mr. Taplin's work, with additions showing the derivations:—

Mr. Taplin Derivations.

Horizontal brace

Native words. Meanings. English or other word
which they resemble.
—— —— ——
Yun soon soon Moeso-Gothic, suns; Anglo-Saxon, sona
Kurrin enquiring enquiring: Latin, quærens
Multuwarrin becoming many or much multus, multiplying
Poke a small hole pock Anglo-Saxon, poc; Dutch, pok.
Wirrangi bad wrong Anglo-Saxon, wringan, wrungen, twisted from the right.
Trippin drenching dripping Anglo-Saxon, dripan; Danish, dryppe.
Throkkun putting throwing Anglo-Saxon, thrawan.
El will will Gothic, wilja; Anglo-Saxon, willa; Dutch, wil; Slavonic, wolia, wola; Greek, βουλή.