Nyungic languages
The Nyungic languages are the south-westernmost of the Australian Aboriginal languages:[1]
- Nyungar languages
- Galaagu language (Kalarko, Malpa)
- Kalaamaya–Natingero
Nyungic | |
---|---|
(reduced) | |
Geographic distribution | South West (Western Australia) |
Linguistic classification | Pama–Nyungan
|
Subdivisions | |
Glottolog | None |
Nyungic languages (green) among other Pama–Nyungan (tan). Classification of Bowern (2011). Nyungar is the section in the southwest. |
Galaagu and Kalaamaya/Natingero are poorly attested; it is not clear how close they are to each other or to Nyungar, and Kalaamaya may have been a variety of Nyungar proper. A variety called Nyaki Nyaki (Njakinjaki) has been variously said to be a dialect of Nyungar or of Kalaamaya.[2]
The term Nyungic has been used for the bulk of the Southwest Pama–Nyungan languages (see). However, that is a geographical group, not a demonstrable family. Bowern restricts both terms to Nyungar plus Galaagu, which is poorly attested and had been misclassified as one of the Mirning languages.
References
- Bowern, Claire. 2011. "How Many Languages Were Spoken in Australia?", Anggarrgoon: Australian languages on the web, 23 December 2011 (corrected 6 February 2012)
- A1 Nyaki Nyaki / Njaki Njaki at the Australian Indigenous Languages Database, Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies
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