Cultural aspects of Norfolk Island toponymy

Abstract

Several Norfolk Island toponyms are considered for their significance to Norfolk Island ethnography, geography, and onomastics. The insider nature of toponyms in Norfolk, the Norfolk Island language, is assessed. The investigative character of the analysis reveals that understanding the insiderness and esotericity of Norfolk placenames is essential for appreciating how these names operate within this small island society, a community which is an integral element of cultural and political Australia. The examples submit toponymic research as a means to establish more detailed descriptions of language and culture in contact with place.