An insular toponymy: place-naming on Dudley Peninsula, Kangaroo Island

Abstract

This paper uses the concept of pristine place-naming first put forward by Ross (1958: 333) to analyse two elements of the unofficial toponymy of Dudley Peninsula, Kangaroo Island. Under this definition Ross considers a toponym pristine ‘if, and only if, we are cognisant of the actual act of its creation’. Ross’s definition is extended by distinguishing between embedded and unembedded toponyms. Topographical names, fishing ground names and a microtoponymic analysis of a specific section of Dudley Peninsula toponymy are presented. Data in the form of maps and linguistic and cultural analysis suggest the need to consider more wide-reaching cultural considerations when doing toponymic analysis in a remote community. The term ‘toponymic ethnography’ is put forward as a conceptual and theoretical tool for further studies in toponymy.