Waalubal dialect

Waalubal (Wahlubal), also known as Western Bundjalung, Baryulgil, and Middle Clarence Bandjalang, is an Australian Aboriginal language spoken by the Western Bundjalung living in North-East New South Wales.[2]

Waalubal
EthnicityWahlubal (Western Bundjalung)
Pama-Nyungan
Dialects
  • Wahlubal
  • Birihn
  • Baryulgil (Wehlubal / Wirribi)
  • Casino
Language codes
ISO 639-3–
Glottologmidd1357
AIATSIS[1]E16.2 Waalubal, E72 Birihn, E73 Casino language, E80 Wehlubal

Nomenclature

In the Western Bundjalung language, Wahlubal means "those who say Wahlu", Wahlu being the form of the second person nominative 'you' used in this variety. Wahlubal was spoken in the Tabulam area, further downstream at Baryulgil the Wehlubal dialect was spoken, Wehlu being this dialects form of Wahlu.

To the east across the range, at Rappville along Bungawalbin creek the Birihn dialect was spoken, Birihn meaning 'southern', slightly the north was the very similar but distinct Casino dialect, known only as Bundjalung.[3]

These are all common exonyms and endonyms for the people and their languages. The generic term Bundjalung or Western bundjalung is also commonly used.[4][5]

Geographic Distribution

Wahlubal is spoken along the Clarence river upstream from the Yagir language.[6]

Grammar

Demonstratives

Western Bundjalung possesses a complicated set of demonstratives that make a three-way distinction, with proximal, medial, and distal sets, there is a further distinguishing of demonstrative adjectives and location demonstratives. The adjective set can be additionally suffixed to create demonstrative pronouns, the adjective set has three forms for "things in sight", "things hidden or not in sight" and "things not there anymore", while the location set has forms to indicate the general area and definite area, and whether in sight or not in sight.[7]

Adjective set
Demonstrative Adjectives
Demonstratives Proximal (this) Medial (that) Distal (that over there)
In sight (sg)* Gala Mala Gila
In sight (plrl) Gahnyu Mahnyu Gahmu
Not in sight (sg) Gunah Munah Gahba
Not in sight (plrl) Gunahmir Munahmir Gahbamir

The above set can be suffixed with order 7 noun suffixes to form demonstrative pronouns that function like ordinary independent nouns. e.g. Yanindeh galani wangahbaya! 'Take this with you!

The 'not in sight' and 'not here anymore' forms can take the order 2 noun suffix -gan to form time words. E.g. gunahgan 'recently'.

Location set
Demonstratives Proximal (here) Medial (there) Distal (over there)
In sight (definite area) Gaji Maji Gah
In sight (general area) Gunu Munu Gundeh
Not in sight (present) Gayu Mayu Guhyu

References
  1. E16.2 Waalubal at the Australian Indigenous Languages Database, Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies  (see the info box for additional links)
  2. "Bundjalung – Muurrbay Aboriginal Language and Culture Co-operative". muurrbay.org.au. Retrieved 7 January 2018.
  3. C., Sharpe, Margaret (2005). "Yugambeh-Bandjalang Dialects". Grammar and texts of the Yugambeh-Bundjalung dialect chain in Eastern Australia. Muenchen: Lincom Europa. pp. 17–32. ISBN 3895867845. OCLC 62185149.
  4. "Bundjalung – Muurrbay Aboriginal Language and Culture Co-operative". muurrbay.org.au. Retrieved 18 February 2018.
  5. "Walking in unity on Bundjalung Country". Insights Magazine. Retrieved 18 February 2018.
  6. Terry., Crowley (1978). The middle Clarence dialects of Bandjalang. Smythe, W. E. Canberra: Australian Institute of Aboriginal Studies. ISBN 0855750650. OCLC 6041138.
  7. C., Sharpe, Margaret (2005). Grammar and texts of the Yugambeh-Bundjalung dialect chain in Eastern Australia. Lincom Europa. ISBN 3895867845. OCLC 62185149.


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