Ngarinyin language facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Ngarinyin
Eastern Worrorran Ungarinjin
Worrorran languages (purple), among other non-Pama-Nyungan languages (grey)
Region	Western Australia
Ethnicity	Ngarinjin, Wurla (Waladjangarri)
Native speakers	59  (2021 census)
Language family	Worrorran Ngarinyin
Dialects	Ngarinyin Guwidj (Orla) Munumburru Wolyamidi Andadjin Worla (Waladja) Ngarnawu Waladjangari
Writing system	Latin
AIATSIS	K18 Ngarinyin, K19, K25
Map showing Worrorran languages

The Ngarinyin language, also called Ungarinjin, is an Aboriginal language from the Kimberley area in Western Australia. It's spoken by the Ngarinyin people. Sadly, it's an endangered language, meaning very few people still speak it today.

What is Ngarinyin?

Ngarinyin belongs to a group of languages called Worrorran languages. Other languages in this group are Wunambal and Worrorra.

Ngarinyin itself is like a group of closely related ways of speaking, called dialects. Some people even think these dialects are separate languages. Famous language experts like Robert M. W. Dixon and Claire Bowern have listed several dialects. These include Guwidj, Waladja, Ngarnawu, Andadjin, Munumburru, Wolyamidi, and Waladjangarri.

The name "Ngarinyin" can refer to both the language and the people who speak it. However, "Ungarinjin" usually only refers to the language. The community has chosen "Ngarinyin" as the main name for their language.

How many people speak Ngarinyin?

Sign in the Ngarinjin language

In 2016, only 38 people said they spoke Ngarinyin at home. This makes it a critically endangered language. It is also considered "moribund," which means it's very close to disappearing.

People are working hard to record the language. They want to write down its words and grammar rules before it's too late. This includes understanding special parts of the language, like how family members are named.

Ngarinyin is mostly spoken in the Northern Kimberley area of Australia. Because there are so few Ngarinyin speakers, other local languages are more common nearby. These include other Worrorran languages like Wunambal and Worrorra.

Ngarinyin used to be one of the most common Aboriginal languages in Northern Kimberley. Now, only a small number of older people still know it. Younger generations often use Kriol instead. However, some young people still know a little bit of Ngarinyin.

Family words in Ngarinyin

Ngarinyin has a very detailed way of classifying family members. This system is very similar to the Worrorra and Wunambal languages. It's quite unique compared to other Aboriginal kinship systems.

One interesting thing is that the same word can be used for family members from different generations. For example, the English words "wife's brother," "wife's father," and "wife's father's father" all use the same Ngarinyin word: waiingi.

Sounds of Ngarinyin

Like all languages, Ngarinyin has its own set of sounds. These sounds are made using different parts of your mouth.

Vowel sounds

Ngarinyin has five main vowel sounds. Some of these can be short or long.

Consonant sounds

Ngarinyin also has many consonant sounds. These are made by blocking air in different ways with your lips, tongue, and throat.