Ngiyambaa language facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Ngiyambaa
Native to	Australia
Region	New South Wales
Ethnicity	Ngiyambaa (Wangaibon, Weilwan)
Native speakers	0  (2005)aiatsis
Language family	Pama–Nyungan Wiradhuric Ngiyambaa
Dialects	Wangaaybuwan Wayilwan (Wailwan)
AIATSIS	D22
Ngiyambaa is classified as Critically Endangered by the UNESCO Atlas of the World's Languages in Danger

The Ngiyambaa language, also spelled Ngiyampaa, Ngempa, or Ngemba, is an important Aboriginal language from New South Wales, Australia. It belongs to a large group of languages called Pama–Nyungan. More specifically, it is part of the Wiradhuric subgroup.

Ngiyambaa was the traditional language of the Wangaibon and Weilwan peoples. Sadly, very few people speak Ngiyambaa today. By the 1970s, only about ten people were fluent in the Wangaibon dialect. Even fewer Weilwan speakers were left.

The word Ngiyambaa itself means "language." The Wangaibon and Weilwan peoples also used Ngiyambaa to describe themselves. The names 'Wangaibon' and 'Weilwan' helped tell their language and people apart from others. These names meant 'With Wangai' or 'With Weil,' referring to their word for 'no.'

Other Names for Ngiyambaa

The Ngiyambaa language has been known by several other names over time. These names include:

• Giamba
• Narran
• Noongaburrah
• Ngampah
• Ngemba
• Ngeumba
• Ngiamba
• Ngjamba
• Ngiyampaa
• Ngumbarr

The Wangaibon dialect is also called Wangaaybuwan or Wongaibon. The Weilwan dialect is sometimes known as Wailwan, Wayilwan, or Wailwun.

See also

In Spanish: Idioma ngiyambaa para niños