Wiradjuri language
| Wiradjuri | |
|---|---|
| Wirraaydhuurray Wirraayjuurray |
|
| Region | New South Wales |
| Ethnicity | Wiradjuri people |
|
Native speakers
|
30 (2005) to 100 (2006 census)[1] |
|
Pama–Nyungan
|
|
| Dialects |
Wirraayaraay (Wiraiari)
? Jeithi
|
| Language codes | |
| ISO 639-3 | wrh |
| Glottolog | wira1262[2] |
| AIATSIS[1] | D10 |
| 220px | |
Wiradjuri (/wəˈrædʒəri/;[3] many other spellings, see Wiradjuri) is a Pama–Nyungan language of the Wiradhuric subgroup. It was the traditional language of the Wiradjuri people of Australia, but had become extinct as a native language by 2009. A progressive revival is underway, with the language being taught in schools. Wiraiari and Jeithi may have been dialects.[4][5]
Contents
Reclamation
The Wiradjuri language is taught in primary schools, secondary schools and at TAFE in the towns of Parkes and Forbes with the students being both indigenous and non-indigenous Australians.[6]
Dictionary
The process of reclaiming the language was greatly assisted by the publication in 2005 of A First Wiradjuri Dictionary by elder Stan Grant Senior and consultant Dr John Rudder. John Rudder described the dictionary: "The Wiradjuri Dictionary has three main sections in just over 400 B5 pages. The first two sections, English to Wiradjuri, and Wiradjuri to English, have about 5,000 entries each. The third sections lists Names of Things grouped in categories such as animals, birds, plants, climate, body parts, colours. In addition to those main sections the dictionary contains an introduction to accurate pronunciation, a basic grammar of the language and a sample range of sentence types." A revised edition,[7] holding over 8,000 words, was published in 2010 and launched in Wagga Wagga, with the launch described by the member for Wagga Wagga to the New South Wales Parliament.[8][9]
Sample vocabulary
'Wagga Wagga'
The Aboriginal inhabitants of the Wagga Wagga region were the Wiradjuri people and the term "Wagga" and derivatives of that word in the Wiradjuri aboriginal language is thought to mean crow. To create the plural, the Wiradjuri repeat a word, thus 'Wagga Wagga' translates to 'the place of many crows'.
Animals
- Animals: Gidyira, Balugan
- Animals (male): Wambi
- Animals (Female): Gunal
- Baby (chicken or Pup): Mangga
- Bandicoot, Long Nosed: Gurawang, Guyand, Gurang
- Bat: Ngarradan
- Bats and Birds (General): Budyaan
- Bilby: Ngundawang, Bilbi, Balbu, Barru
- Brushtail Possum (Male): Gidyay
- Brush Tailed Rock Wallaby: Wirrang, Barrbay
- Bunyip: Waawii seema
- Butterfly: Budyabudya
- Cattle: Gurruganbalang
- Cockatiel: Guwariyan
- Common Wallaroo: Walaruu, Yulama
- Dingo: Yugay, Warragul, Dinggu, Dawarang, Garingali (female)
- Dog: Mirri
- Echidna: Wandayali, Wandhayirra, Ganyi, Ginaginbaany, Guwandiyala, Wambiyala
- Emu: Dinawan
- Frog: Gulaangga
- Horse: Yarraman
- Horse (stallion): Yindaay
- Kangaroo: Wambuwany
- Kangaroo (Red, Female): Bandhaa
- Koala: Burrandhang
- Kookaburra: Gugubarra
- Magpie: Garuu
- Owl: Ngugug
- Platypus: Biladurang
- Possum: Wilay
- Snake: Gadi
- Sugar Glider: Gindaany
- Swan: Dhundhu
- Wild Cat: Mabi, Babila, Mugiiny-mabi
- Wombat: Wambad
Other
Ngawa: Yes (Pronounced ŋa-wa)
Wiray: No (Pronounced ɥi-ɾe)
Gunya: Home (Pronounced gu- ɲa)
Walang: Money/Pebbles (Pronounced wa-laŋ)
Family
- Mother: Gunhi
- Father: Babiin
- Son: Wurrumany
- Sister (older): Mingaan
- Sister (younger): Minhi
- Brother (older): Gaagang
- Brother (younger): Gagamin
- Girl: Migay
- Boy: Birrany
- Baby: Gudha
- Grandmother: Badhiin, Baaydyin
Introductions
Widyu-ndhu yuwin ngulung? What’s your name?
Yuwin ngadhi James. My name is James.
Ngandhi nginha? Who’s this one?
Nginha gunhi. This is mother.
Greetings
Yamandhu marang? Are you well?
Ngawa baladhu marang. Yes I’m well.
Marang nganha. That’s good.
Numbers
- One: Ngumbaay
- Two: Bula
- Three: Bula Ngumbaay
- Four: Bula Bula
- Five: Marra
Verbs
- Dancing: Waganha
- Digging: Wangarra
- Laughing: Gindanha
- Swimming: Bambinya
Body parts
- Hand and is also the number five: Marra
- Backside: Bubul
References
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External links
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- A New Wiradjuri dictionary
- profiles of Grant and Rudder
- Peter Andren MP with material on the Wiradjuri
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Wikisource has original text related to this article: |
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- More information on Learning Wiradjuri[dead link]
- Learn Wiradjuri at TAFE
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Wiradjuri at the Australian Indigenous Languages Database, Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies
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- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found. (Subscription or UK public library membership required.)
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ There is quite some confusion over the names Wirraayarray, Wiriyarray, and Wirray Wirray. See AIATSIS:Wirraayaraay.
- ↑ How a language transformed a town
- ↑ Wiradjui Dictionary, Stan Grant (SNR) and Dr John Rudder, 2010
- ↑ ABC news interview with Grant
- ↑ Hansard of Parliament of New South Wales, Daryl Maguire & Barry Collier, 12 November 2010
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