Dhangu-Djangu language

Dhangu
Djangu
Native toAustralia
RegionNorthern Territory
EthnicityDhaŋu, Djaŋu
Native speakers
310 (2016 census)[1]
Pama–Nyungan
Dialects
  • Wan.gurri
  • Lamamirri
  • Rirratjingu
  • Gaalpu
  • Ngayimil
  • Warramiri
  • Mandatja
Yolŋu Sign Language
Language codes
ISO 639-3dhg
Glottologdhan1270
AIATSIS[2]N192 Dhangu, N202 Djangu
ELPDhangu-Djangu

Dhangu (Dhaŋu, Dangu) and Djangu (Djaŋu) constitute an Australian Aboriginal language of the Yolŋu group, spoken by the Dhaŋu and Djaŋu people in Australia's Northern Territory. The varieties of the two moieties of Dhangu are (a) Wan.gurri, Lamamirri and (b) Rirratjingu, Gaalpu, Ngayimil. There are two other Djangu (Djaŋu) dialects, Warramiri and Mandatja; dhangu and djangu are the words for "this" in the various dialects. Nhangu is a closely related language.[3]

Phonology

Consonants

Peripheral Laminal Apical Glottal
Labial Velar Dental Palatal Alveolar Retroflex
Plosive Fortis p k t̪ c t ʈ ʔ
Lenis b g d̪ ɟ d ɖ
Nasal m ŋ n̪ ɲ n ɳ
Rhotic ɾ (ɽ)
Lateral l ɭ
Glide w j ɻ
  • /ɖ/ may also be heard as a tap [ɽ] in intervocalic positions.[4]
  • The tap /ɾ/ may also be heard as a trill [r].

Vowels

Front Back
High i iː u uː
Low a aː
  • A long vowel /uː/ may also be heard as [oː].[5]

References

  1. ^ "Census 2016, Language spoken at home by Sex (SA2+)". stat.data.abs.gov.au. Australian Bureau of Statistics. Archived from the original on 26 December 2018. Retrieved 29 October 2017.
  2. ^ N192 Dhangu at the Australian Indigenous Languages Database, Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies  (see the info box for additional links)
  3. ^ Dixon, R. M. W. (2002). Australian Languages: Their Nature and Development. Cambridge University Press. p. xxxvi.
  4. ^ MacLellan, Marilyn (1992). A study of the Wangurri language. University of Sydney.
  5. ^ McLellan, Marilyn (2014). Djaŋu (Warramirri) Dictionary. Aboriginal Resource and Development Services Inc.


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