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Comment by andrewstuart | Hacker News Reader

Yeah that's not going to go down well with first nations Australians. They're sensitive about cultural appropriation, with some justification. I don't think the argument of the Latin origin would be given much heed. Then again, likely no-one will notice a small software project.

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There are other indigenous cultures which use the name, for example Aboriginal Canadians. I'm not sure why any of the groups would care about the naming of the project though. The naming controversies I'm aware of are about the names used for the indigenous people, not completely external names. It feels weird to assume it would be an issue, unless there's some specific cases you have in mind?

As you have noticed, the word has Latin origins. Who is appropriating whom?

You accuse a conquered people of appropriating language that forced them to assimilate or die?

Who did i accuse?

What an odd thing to say.

I've misunderstood, then. Do elaborate on your question "Who is appropriating whom?"

What is there to elaborate? The term is used in multiple contexts. If you think that there is someone who is more right to exclusively use it for their thing, feel free to tell.

> You accuse a conquered people of appropriating language

Not accusing anyone

The indigenous Australians have different names for themselves than "aboriginal", which is a generic term

Australians did not bother with them (in many ways) and use a Latin origin word

I do not think this is an issue, but hearing from an indigenous Australian would be useful if it were an issue

Yeah... I'm not even Australian and this being some sort of indie OS build made by or for indigenous Australians was my first guess at what this was.

I had a similar concern but you stated it way better than I could've. Thanks for doing so

Naming is hard.

If you intend to avoid rustling jimmies anywhere in the world you're in for a hard time with your naming.

Then why bring it up?

I'm not sure it is too jarring - if they had called it Aborigine Linux then there might have been a small outcry.

Yes and no. Aboriginal peoples world 'round have been displaced and slaughtered. The name conjures all meanings of the word, as is the nature of words, consequently there is a distinct and predictable reflex to associate this name with atrocity in a general sense.

Naming is hard. Offense unintended is often perceived as neglect or callousness. Names can change; history cannot.

It sure made me uncomfortable.

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