capitalization - In an Australian context, should "Aborigine" be capitalised?


When referring to an Australian context, as opposed to Aboriginal Canadians, or indigenous people worlwide, should "Aborigine" (and "Aboriginal") be capitalised?


I tried googling, but the hits I found were usually from government or advocacy websites about aborigines, and may reflect political biases rather than expert English knowledge, rather than websites about the English language.



Answer



Yes. In the Australian context “Aborigine” and “Aboriginal Australian” should appear capitalized because they are acting as proper nouns referring to specific group. When being used to refer to indigenous people in general they would not be capitalized. For example if you were to write:



This is a fine piece of aborigine art.



you would be talking about a piece of art created by the original inhabitants of their respective region. But if you were you to write:



This is a fine piece of Aborigine art.



You would be talking about an artwork from the Aboriginal Australian culture.


Thus one could write:



The aboriginal people of Australia are the Aborigine.



And, if—for some reason—you were to write:



This is a fine piece of Aborigines art.



You would be referring to the Roman myth.


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