Darwin Region languages facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Darwin Region |
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| Geographic distribution: |
from Darwin area to the West Alligator River |
| Linguistic classification: | Proposed language family. |
| Subdivisions: | |
 Darwin Region languages (red), among other non-Pama–Nyungan languages (grey).
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.png) Closeup. From west to east they are: Laragiya, Limilngan, and Umbugarlic.
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The Darwin Region languages are a small group of Australian Aboriginal languages. They were spoken in the area around Darwin, Australia. A linguist named Mark Harvey suggested that these languages are related. This group includes the Limilngan languages and two languages that are considered "isolates." An isolate means they are not clearly related to any other known language.
Contents
What are the Darwin Region Languages?
This proposed language family includes several languages. Some are now extinct, meaning no one speaks them anymore. Others are nearly extinct, with very few speakers left.
Main Languages in the Group
- Laragiya: This language is nearly extinct. It was spoken near Darwin.
- Limilngan: This branch includes two languages:
- Umbugarlic: This branch includes:
- Umbugarla † (extinct)
- Ngurmbur? (extinct, poorly known)
- Bugurnidja? (extinct, poorly known)
The languages marked with a dagger (†) are no longer spoken. This means they have no living speakers.
The Umbugarlic Branch
The languages Ngurmbur and Bugurnidja are extinct. Not much is known about them. They are grouped with Umbugarla to form the Umbugarlic branch.
A researcher named Tryon (in 2007) listed more varieties for the Umbugarla–Ngumbur group. These included Ngunbudj (Gonbudj), Umbugarla, Bugunidja, Ngarduk, and Ngumbur. However, we know almost nothing about Ngunbudj or Ngarduk. They had already become extinct by the time World War II ended.
See also
- In Spanish: Lenguas de la región de Darwin para niños
