Word Detail

(N)

WWDict. p53, 98: (Hercus)

'Tamatyerri' is being recognised on official road signs e.g. at the bridge over Tamatyerri Creek near Moonacullah. However a different way of writing the Wamba Wamba word in English has been adopted ie 'Tumudgery'. This is pronounced the same way with the 'u's' being a hard 'u' as in 'cut'. Notice also that in the English entry in the Green Book (WWDict) Hercus has spelt the English version of the name as 'Tamajery' this is because the 'ty' of 'dg' palatal stops are common in Aboriginal languages but not in English. The 'ty' in English is pronounced 'teeh' as in 'city'. It is also possible that it was spelt the English ways in local maps around the 1970's, 80's and 90's when Hercus was recording Wamba Wamba from fluent speakers.

Say - ’Tah-mah-tyurri’. (emphasis on first syllable) Vowels - ‘a’s are standard ‘a’ as in ‘path’. The ‘e’ is variation (1) ie ‘e’ followed by an ‘r’ so it is ‘e’ as in ‘fern’. The ‘i’ is standard ‘i’ as in ‘tin’. Consonants - The ’ty’ is the same as in ‘kolety’ (ie 'palatal stop' - tip of tongue touches hard palate above teeth, stopping the breath. It is unvoiced ie no 'urr' or 'yurr' sound.) The ‘rr’ is rolled.

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