Glossary
The glossary draws on the NSW syllabus glossaries, the glossaries developed by the Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority, and the Macquarie Dictionary.
Aboriginal Peoples are the first peoples of Australia and are represented by more than 250 language groups, each associated with a particular Country or territory. Torres Strait Islander Peoples are represented by 5 major island groups, and are associated with island territories to the north of Australia’s Cape York which were annexed by Queensland in 1879.
An Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander person is someone who:
- is of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander descent
- identifies as an Aboriginal person and/or Torres Strait Islander person, and
- is accepted as such by the Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander community(ies) in which they live.
A recognised dialect of English which is the first, or home language, of many Aboriginal people. It differs from other dialects of English, such as Standard Australian English, in systematic ways including sounds, grammar, words and their meanings, and language use. Aboriginal English is a powerful vehicle for the expression of Aboriginal identity. Aboriginal English is not a target language study option for NSW Aboriginal Languages syllabuses.
Texts that describe landscapes and directions of the tracks forged in lands, waters and skies by Creator Spirits during the Dreaming.
The extent to which a system, environment or object may be used irrespective of a user’s capabilities or abilities. For example, the use of assistive technologies (AT) to allow people with disability to use computer systems, or the use of icons in place of words to allow young children to use a system.
The use of land for cultivating crops and raising livestock to produce food, fibres and industrial materials.
Height of a feature above sea level.
The direction a slope faces.
A device or system whose primary purpose is to maintain or improve an individual's functioning and independence to facilitate participation and enhance overall wellbeing. This includes technologies specifically designed to meet an individual's needs, eg eye gaze technology, as well as more general technologies that can be used by anyone, eg speech-to-text applications. Assistive technology can also be referred to as inclusive technology.
A hazard event, originating in the atmosphere, e.g. a storm or tropical cyclone.
An umbrella term that encompasses the communication methods used to supplement or replace speech or writing. AAC can be unaided, such as gestures, body language and sign language, or aided such as pictures, symbols, objects or speech generating devices.
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A direction from one point on the Earth’s surface to another, measured in degrees from 0 to 360.
The variety of living organisms within a particular habitat, ecosystem, biome, or globally.
A major terrestrial region defined by its climate, vegetation and animal life.
The atmospheric, biological, chemical and physical processes that take place in the lithosphere, hydrosphere, atmosphere and biosphere, e.g. erosion, deposition, soil formation, nutrient cycling.
Type of graph that displays data points as bubbles on a 2-dimensional axis. The size, colour and position of a bubble can represent different variables.
A map in which the size of the countries are adjusted to illustrate the distribution of a feature or statistic.
Accepted practices associated with constructing and interpreting maps, e.g. using a border, orientation or compass point, legend or key, title, scale, giving latitude readings before longitude.
The area drained by a river or water body. Also known as a river basin.
The tangible and intangible elements of a place or environment.
A thematic map with shadings to provide quantitative information about different areas or regions.
The average types of weather, including seasonal variations, experienced by a place or region over a long period of time.
A long-term change in regional or global climate patterns, e.g. annual precipitation, frequency of weather events.
A graph showing average monthly temperature and precipitation for a location.
The ways people communicate and the communicative behaviours they use. Communication forms can be non-symbolic and/or symbolic. Non-symbolic forms include sounds, gestures, facial expressions and eye movements. Symbolic forms can be aided or non-aided. Aided forms of symbolic communication include objects, symbols, photographs and drawings. Aided forms can be digital. Non-aided forms of symbolic communication include formal gestures; speech; and signs, such as Key Word Sign.
The act of using or purchasing goods and services which can impact on the environment, economy, individuals and society.
Lines on a map that indicate altitude.
The protection provided to the creators of original works and makers of sound recordings and films, that offers a legal framework for the control and reproduction or transmission of their literary, dramatic, artistic or musical works.
Country is used to describe a specific area of a nation or clan including physical, linguistic and spiritual features. Aboriginal communities’ cultural associations with their Country may include or relate to languages, cultural practices, knowledge, songs, stories, art, paths, landforms, flora, fauna and minerals. These cultural associations may include custodial relationships with particular landscapes such as land, sea, sky, rivers as well as the intangible places associated with the Dreaming(s). Custodial relationships are extremely important in determining who may have the capacity to authentically speak for their Country.
Place is a space mapped out by physical or intangible boundaries that individuals or groups of Torres Strait Islander Peoples occupy and regard as their own. It is a space with varying degrees of spirituality.
A graphical representation constructed as a line graph that depicts a vertical slice through the Earth’s surface and provides a sideways view of the landscape.
Creating a record of a landscape that is alive with activity, including Culture, Lore, language and ethics.
The customs, habits, beliefs/spirituality, social organisation and ways of life that characterise different groups and communities. Cultural characteristics give a group or individual a sense of who they are and help them make sense of the world in which they live. Culture is a shared system but inherently diverse – there can be individual and group differences within cultures. Everyone has culture – it is a lens through which we see the world.
In Aboriginal communities, an individual charged with maintaining and passing on particular elements of cultural significance, eg language, stories, songs, rituals and imagery.
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When referring to deaf people who belong to a linguistic and cultural minority known as the Deaf community, the 'D' may be capitalised in reference to the individual, the group, or the culture in order to accord respect and deference, for example, the Deaf community. When referring simply to audiological status or when cultural affiliation is not known, as in the case of a person with a hearing loss in general, the lowercase 'd', as in 'deaf' is the more common usage.
A cultural identity for people with hearing loss who share a common culture and who usually have a shared sign language.
The concentration of a feature in a specific area, e.g. the number of buildings per square kilometre.
The process by which eroded materials are laid down in a new location.
Economic, social and political changes that improve the wellbeing of people.
An umbrella term for any or all of the following components:
- impairments: challenges in body function or structure
- activity limitations: difficulties in executing activities
- participation restrictions: challenges an individual may experience in involvement in life situations. (World Health Organization)
Differences that exist within a group, for example, age, sex, gender, gender expression, sexuality, ethnicity, ability/disability, body shape and composition, culture, religion/spirituality, learning differences, socioeconomic background, values and experiences.
A thematic map that uses dots to mark locations where a phenomenon occurs.
The Dreaming has different meanings for different Aboriginal groups. The Dreaming can be seen as the embodiment of Aboriginal creation which gives meaning to everything; the essence of Aboriginal beliefs about creation and spiritual and physical existence. It establishes the rules governing relationships between the people, the land and all things for Aboriginal Peoples. The Dreaming is linked to the past, the present and the future. Where appropriate, refer to Aboriginal names for the Dreaming.
The custodians of knowledge and lore. They are chosen and accepted by their own communities as people who have the permission to disclose cultural knowledge and beliefs. Recognised Elders are highly respected people within Aboriginal communities. Proper consultation with local Aboriginal communities will often direct schools to recognised Elders.
Alterations in natural environments over time, driven by both natural processes and human activities.
Characteristics of a local environment that affect human wellbeing, such as pollution, access to open space, traffic volume, and visual effects of buildings and roads.
The process by which soil, rocks and other surface materials are carried away, by the actions of water, wind or ice.
The tangible elements of a place or environment.
A type of visual representation created during fieldwork activities used to record the main geographical features observed.
A straight measured line between 2 points along which environmental features are observed and recorded. Often measured with a tape measure or rope.
The first language(s) that a person learns to speak.
A diagram that shows a series of steps, processes or decisions in a system.
Map showing the flows of people, goods, information or ideas between places.
Assurances that food supplies are reliable and of a sufficient quality and quantity to maintain human life.
A boundary between 2 air masses of different temperatures and humidity.
Technology for capturing, storing, analysing and presenting geographic data. It is used to understand spatial relationships and patterns.
A hazard event originating in the lithosphere, e.g. volcanic eruptions, earthquakes, tsunamis and mass movement (landslides or avalanches).
Navigation systems that provide location and time information when there is a line of sight to GPS satellites.
The steepness of a slope.
A map where symbols vary in size according to the value they represent.
Tangible or intangible aspects of the past that are valued by an individual, group, community or nation as a result of birth, inheritance or membership. It can also be applied to significant examples of the human or natural environment.
The quality of life of a population, e.g. access to opportunities, healthcare, education, infrastructure, a clean environment.
A hazard event originating in the hydrosphere, e.g. floods and droughts.
The movement of water in the Earth’s system that shapes and influences environments.
An internationally recognised term for the first peoples of a land. In NSW the term Aboriginal person/Peoples is preferred.
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Includes, but is not limited to, objects, sites, cultural knowledge, cultural expression and the arts, that have been transmitted or continue to be transmitted through generations as belonging to a particular Indigenous group or Indigenous people as a whole or their territory.
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Non-material assets such as forms of cultural expression that belong to a particular individual or community. Intellectual property rights refer to the rights that the law grants to individuals for the protection of creative, intellectual, scientific and industrial activity, such as inventions.
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The movement of people living in one defined area to another within the same country.
The voluntary or forced movement of people between countries.
A thematic map which has lines joining places that have the same value of any selected element, e.g. rainfall, temperature or ocean depth.
A communication strategy that incorporates signing with speech. It is used to support language development for people with communication difficulties. Although Key Word Sign uses a simplified form of manual signing, it is different to Auslan, as it is not a signed language.
A key aspect of Aboriginal cultures and values. It includes the importance of all relationships and of being related to and belonging to the land.
A map showing how land is used, e.g. for infrastructure, settlements or agriculture.
The individual surface features of the Earth as identified by their shape.
An area that has evolved over time, created by a combination of geological, geomorphological, biological and cultural layers.
An Aboriginal community identified with a common language, both verbal and nonverbal, and with a particular territory. Used in preference to the term ‘tribe’.
The process and range of strategies for increasing knowledge and use of a language that is no longer spoken fluently across all generations in the context of language loss or language dispossession caused by colonisation. Aboriginal Languages and Torres Strait Islander Languages are being revived through community initiatives, linguistic research and school programs. ‘Language revival’ may be used as an overarching term that could also include ‘reclamation’, ‘revitalisation’, ‘renewal’ and ‘reawakening’.
A map that covers a small area with a comprehensive amount of detail.
Lines on a map used to find broad locations in degrees or precise locations in degrees and minutes, north/south of the equator and east/west of the Greenwich meridian.
A type of black-and-white illustration that uses lines to represent the main features of a geographical area without detailed shading or colour.
A line on a map showing the relationship between distances on a map and distances in the real world.
An assessment of the quality of a place. The concept of liveability has been linked to a range of factors, e.g. health, sense of safety, access to services, cost of living, comfortable living standards, mobility and transport, air quality and social participation.
A local Aboriginal community is constituted by those people who are Aboriginal and who reside in the near locality. Aboriginal communities will have a rich and diverse history that has been seriously affected by dispossession and relations, which sees families with spiritual connection to Country residing beside those who have been forced to move from other locations. The notion of locality is complex and multilayered: schools should seek advice from a range of people and/or organisations representing local interests.
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The difference in altitude between the highest and lowest points in a small geographical area.
Taking place away from Aboriginal land or Country of origin.
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Taking place on Aboriginal land or Country of origin.
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Each Aboriginal Language is recognised as belonging to a particular geographical area and thus to the people who can claim a connection to that area. Aboriginal community members acquire ownership of their language(s) at birth. Language proficiency is not essential for ownership.
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A type of sketch based on a photograph used to highlight key features or elements of the landscape or area of study.
Photographs taken from different locations, e.g. from earth, in the air or from space or from different angles.
Physical or natural features located in an environment.
A map that displays natural features of the Earth’s surface.
A map displaying the boundaries of countries, states and cities, and which highlights political divisions.
A graph showing the age and gender composition of a population.
A simple sketch map, drawn from a topographic map or photograph, showing the key patterns and features of an area by omitting minor details.
The distribution and movement of high-pressure and low-pressure systems on a weather map.
The amount of biomass or living plant material produced through photosynthesis that influences ecosystems and food chain dynamics.
The appropriate ways of behaving, communicating and showing respect for diversity of history and culture. This involves appreciation of the knowledge, standing and status of people within the local Aboriginal community and the school community. Protocols inevitably vary between communities, and between people within a community. In establishing a partnership between schools and Aboriginal communities, it is especially important that protocols are acknowledged and respected.
Information that is expressed in words and narratives.
Information that can be expressed with numbers.
Frames of reference for viewing and analysing the world spatially at a local, national, regional or global scale.
A 3-dimensional map showing the shape of the land and distinctive landforms (terrain) or a 2-dimensional map representing 3D terrain.
Information collected from satellites or aircraft about Earth’s geographical features from a distance.
A place that has less access to various goods and services because of its location and distance from larger urban settlements.
A term used commonly in NSW Aboriginal communities to refer to the way an individual treats others. Showing respect occurs in many ways, such as waiting to speak, listening and demonstrating understanding, not asking too many direct questions, ensuring that people are not made to feel uncomfortable or uneasy, and generally showing regard for others’ ideas, beliefs and culture.
A reference to a settlement in the countryside typically serving a farming or agricultural area.
A graph of 2 variables where individual data points are plotted on a horizontal and vertical axis. Scatter plots are used to observe relationships between variables.
A graph that divides a circle into segments or sectors, each representing a portion of a whole.
Hand signs (or hand talk) used to supplement or replace oral language. Signs form part of nonverbal communication for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples and may be used by people who are hearing, or d/Deaf or hard of hearing. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Sign Languages may be used in some areas. Some Sign Languages may be associated with sacred ceremonial practices.
The use of words, graphic designs and/or symbols used to communicate a message, eg information signs, plaques, warning signs, road signs, signs that show direction.
A simplified map or illustration outlining the main geographical features of an area.
A map that covers a large area with limited amount of detail.
The location and arrangement of particular features, phenomena or activities across the surface of the Earth.
The uneven distribution of resources, opportunities or conditions across different areas.
The positioning or organisation of phenomena or features in a geographic space.
Any form of technology that interacts with place, space and location. Spatial technologies may be used to collect, organise, record, visualise, manipulate, analyse and display spatial data.
The difference or variation in natural and human-made features over an area of the Earth’s surface.
A map designed to be used for a particular purpose or by a group of users.
A specific point most commonly found on a topographic map that indicates the exact elevation or altitude above sea level.
Supporting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to support their needs.
A type of assistive technology that enables people with cognitive and/or physical disability to access a range of devices, including computers and communication devices. Switches can be activated by touch, or triggered without contact, such as through eye gaze, sound or blowing.
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Diagrams and 3D representations produced with raised lines, shapes and textured surfaces that can be explored visually and/or tactually.
Processes and movement associated with the Earth’s tectonic plates and their interactions with the Earth’s crust. This activity can cause earthquakes, volcanic eruptions and mountain building.
Maps that feature one theme or topic and that use colour, shading, dots, symbols or lines joining places of equal value, e.g. a choropleth map or isoline map.
A detailed, large-scale map of part of the Earth’s surface which illustrates the shape of the land and selected natural and human features.
The movement of goods, services or capital between regions or countries.
A straight line drawn on a map between 2 points, used to represent changes in elevation, landforms and other geographical features along the path.
Designing and organising the layout of cities and towns.
The process of demographic, economic and/or social change in which an increasing proportion of the population of a country or region live in urban areas. The size and rate of urbanisation is influenced by push-pull factors.
Maps that are interactive and can include zooming, panning, layering and search functionality.
A natural resource existing in different forms, irregularly distributed and useful to people and their activities.
Lack of sufficient available water resources to meet the demand due to water shortage (physical), lack of money to use an adequate water source (economic) or unequal distribution of water resources.
A map showing atmospheric conditions at the Earth’s surface at a point in time.
The breaking down of rock and surface materials that have been exposed to the natural processes of weather, chemical reactions, and actions of plants and animals.
Yarning circles are an important cultural practice for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples to learn within the collective group. Knowledge and information are shared in harmony and respect with all individuals.