In this paper we outline philosophical conceptualizations of relationships with language and place. We investigate how place is an essential aspect of language formation and oral tradition. Re-conceptualizing the concept that primary source is inextricably linked to place leads to an eco-hermeneutic analysis of the etymology of language. Our understanding of eco-hermeneutics builds on the work of Kulnieks (2008), Smith (1991, 2003) and Young (2006, 2007), among other hermeneutic researchers, as well as Indigenous knowledge holders who use the land as a primary resource for their understandings. The complex nature of this research inquiry inspires the term eco-hermeneutics and creates a discussion for developing curricula that engage educators to move beyond the classroom and enlarge a deeper understanding of place.