It is a sign of respect to refer to those older than you as Aunty or Uncle especially if they are family. This includes extended family. By using Aunty or Uncle you show that you respect them, their leadership and their lived experience which typically outweighs those who are younger.
Titles such as Aunty and Uncle are used as marks of respect for Elders in the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community.
Aboriginal people refer to an Elder as 'Aunty' or 'Uncle'. However, it is recommended that non-Aboriginal people check the appropriateness of their use of these terms as referring to an Elder or leader as Aunty or Uncle may not be appropriate for an outsider unless a strong relationship has been established.
'Nation', 'community', 'people', 'mob' or the local language or Page 3 culture group name is usually preferable to 'tribe'. 'Mob' is an Aboriginal English word and as such may be more appropriate, but community acceptance may be required before using this word.
To make direct eye contact can be viewed as being rude, disrespectful or even aggressive.To convey polite respect, the appropriate approach would be to avert or lower your eyes in conversation. Observe the other person's body language.
Offensive names
However many may not be aware that shortening the term 'Aboriginal' to 'Abo' is highly offensive to Indigenous people due to historical usage and is considered a derogatory term, as 'Koon' or 'Boong' are.
Assimilationist terms such as 'full-blood,' 'half-caste' and 'quarter-caste' are extremely offensive and should never be used when referring to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
Pap(a) is also found as 'mother', mainly in Victoria. Other kinship roots (for grandparents) have been shown to have a split distribution with one root dominating in the east and one in the west for what is apparently a single proto-meaning.
Bunji: Means friend/mate. Cooee: Is actually a widely used Aboriginal word that is often unknowingly used by non Indigenous people. But luckily they have been using the word correctly as the word means 'come here' in the Dharug language from the South Western areas of Sydney.
'Aborigine' is a noun for an Aboriginal person (male or female).
Acknowledgement of Country should be everyone's responsibility. Why is the term "Aunty" and "Uncle" used so widely in the Aboriginal Community? Put simply - RESPECT! It also relates to recognition of Aboriginal Elders, kinship and extended families.
An “auntie” in popular parlance is defined by being independent, attractive, and powerful.
Auntie/Uncle conveys respect, affection and relationship at the same time. In South Asian culture people are rarely referred to by their names in social situations, especially if they're older than you.
Australians also use the terms' auntie' and 'aunty' to refer to an indigenous( native) Australian woman who has earned their respect. This is highly applicable in spoken English, but when it comes to written English, it's always safer to ask her how she would like to be addressed.
1. a familiar or diminutive word for aunt. 2. Australian offensive, slang. an older homosexual man.
Here are some simple rules with using “Aunty”:
If she's your Aunty's friend or mom's friend, she's Aunty. If you're both adults and you don't know her very well… DON'T CALL HER AUNTY. Unless all your friends are calling her Aunty…then you're good to go.
You're more likely to make friends by saying 'Aboriginal person', 'Aboriginal' or 'Torres Strait Islander'. If you can, try using the person's clan or tribe name. And if you are talking about both Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, it's best to say either 'Indigenous Australians' or 'Indigenous people'.
kesalul - I love you.
When Aborigines refer to their family they invariably mean their extended family which might include parents, several children, numerous aunts, uncles and cousins, and grandparents. These family members can be both genetic and classificatory.
Tidda: Means sister and can also be used when referring to female friends.
Overall there are many common words in Noongar, for example: kaya= hello, moort = family, boodja = country and yongka = kangaroo.
'Are you [is the person] of Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander origin? ' Patients may be asked the question in person or over the phone, or asked to complete a form. It is important that the question is asked exactly as it is worded.
Your Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander heritage is something that is personal to you. You do not need a letter of confirmation to identify as an Indigenous Australian.
Most television stations use a disclaimer warning Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander viewers that the program may contain images and voices of dead Indigenous people (as recommended by the Australian Broadcasting Corporation). The avoidance period may last one or more years.