Marrku–Wurrugu languages facts for kids

The Marrku–Wurrugu languages are two special Australian Aboriginal languages. They were spoken in the Cobourg Peninsula area of Western Arnhem Land. Sadly, one of them, Wurrugu, is no longer spoken. The other, Marrgu, had only one speaker left in 2011.

For a long time, people thought these languages were related to other Iwaidjan languages. But a language expert named Nicholas Evans found that they were probably not. He thought any similar words were just borrowed, not because they came from the same language family.

Why Marrku and Wurrugu Are Related

Even though these languages are not related to the Iwaidjan group, experts believe Marrgu and Wurrugu are connected. Here are the main reasons:

Shared Words and Sounds

• Similar Vocabulary: Marrgu and Wurrugu are separated by other languages. But they share many similar words. About 35% of their basic words are the same. This is a strong sign they come from the same origin.
• Unique Sound: Both languages have a special sound called [dh]. This sound is not found in the languages spoken around them. This unique feature also suggests they are related.

Comparing Words: Marrku and Wurrugu Vocabulary

In 1942, a linguist named Arthur Capell wrote down some basic words from these languages. This table shows how some words compare between the Mara language (another Aboriginal language) and Marrgu. It helps us see how different languages express the same ideas.