Warrgamay language

Warrgamay
Biyay
Native toAustralia
RegionNortheast Queensland
EthnicityWarakamai, Biyaygiri
Extinct(3 speakers in 1981)
Dialects
  • Warrgamay
  • Biyay (Biyaygiri) 1[1]
  • Biyay 2[2]
Language codes
ISO 639-3wgy
Glottologwarr1255
AIATSIS[2]Y134
ELPWarrgamay

Warrgamay is an extinct Australian Aboriginal language of northeast Queensland. It was closely related to Dyirbal.

It is also known as Waragamai, Wargamay, Wargamaygan, Biyay, and Warakamai. The language region includes the Herbert River area, Ingham, Hawkins Creek, Long Pocket, Herbert Vale, Niagara Vale, Yamanic Creek, Herbert Gorge, Cardwell, Hinchinbrook Island and the adjacent mainland.[3]

Phonology

Consonants

Peripheral Laminal Apical
Labial Velar Palatal Alveolar Retroflex
Plosive b ɡ ɟ d
Nasal m ŋ ɲ n
Rhotic r
Lateral l
Approximant w j ɻ
  • Rhotic sounds /r, ɻ/ can also be heard as taps [ɾ, ɽ].

Vowels

Front Central Back
Close i iː u uː
Open a aː

References

  1. ^ Dixon, R. M. W. (2002). Australian Languages: Their Nature and Development. Cambridge University Press. p. xxxiii.
  2. ^ a b Y134 Warrgamay at the Australian Indigenous Languages Database, Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies
  3. ^ This Wikipedia article incorporates CC BY 4.0 licensed text from: "Warrgamay". Queensland Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander languages map. State Library of Queensland. Retrieved 5 February 2020.

Sources