Bigambal language facts for kids

The Bigambal language (also called Bigambul, Bigumbil, Pikambul, or Pikumbul) was an extinct Aboriginal language. It belonged to the Pama–Nyungan language family. An extinct language means that no one speaks it as their main language anymore.

The Bigambal language was spoken in a region that includes the towns of Goondiwindi, Yelarbon, and Texas. This area stretches north towards Moonie and Millmerran in Queensland, Australia. The Bigambul people spoke this language. Some people believe that Gambuwal and Kwiambal were dialects of Bigambal. A dialect is a different way of speaking the same language. However, the Gamilaraay language might have been used by people in the southern Bigambal area.

How Languages Are Grouped

Linguists are people who study languages. They often group languages together based on how similar they are.

Different Ideas for Bigambal

• A linguist named Dixon (in 2002) thought Bigambal was part of the Bundjalung languages group.
• Other linguists, O'Grady, Voegelin, and Voegelin, said it was a 'Wiradjuric' language. This means they grouped it with languages like Wiradjuri.
• The Glottolog database, which tracks languages, says that Wafer and Lissarrague (in 2008) grouped Bigambal and Yugambal together.

Bigambal Words

Here are some words from the Bigambal language. These words were written down by Bigambul authors:

• Bamburr: kangaroo
• Dhigaraa: bird
• Dhimba: snake
• Dhurrii: land
• Gayker: echidna
• Gillee: sun
• Gool: fish
• Gulli: rain/water
• Koobee: possum
• Noorah: home/camp
• Warril: river
• Weeimba gilee: hello
• Woodyun: grass