Ngunnawal language facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Burragorang |
|
|---|---|
| Ngunawal-Gundungurra Onerwal Northern Inland Yuin |
|
| Region | New South Wales & ACT, Australia |
| Ethnicity | Ngunnawal, Gandangara |
| Language family |
Pama–Nyungan
|
| Dialects |
Ngunawal/Ngunnawal
Gundungurra
|
| AIATSIS | D3 Ngunawal/Ngunnawal, S60 |
The Ngunnawal or Ngunawal language is an important Aboriginal language from Australia. It is the traditional language of the Ngunnawal people. The Ngunnawal language is very similar to the Gandangara language. Many people believe they were once different forms of the same language. However, the Ngunnawal and Gandangara people prefer to see them as separate languages.
Contents
What Kind of Language Is Ngunnawal?
The Ngunnawal and Gundungurra languages belong to a larger group. This group is called the Yuin–Kuric group. This group is part of the even bigger Pama–Nyungan language family. This family includes many Aboriginal languages across Australia.
Where Was Ngunnawal Spoken?
The Ngunnawal people traditionally lived in a wide area. Their land stretched from near Goulburn in the east. It went west to Boorowa. It also covered the area around Canberra and possibly Queanbeyan. Their land reached west towards the Goodradigbee River.
How Ngunnawal Sounds Are Made
Like all languages, Ngunnawal has its own special sounds. These sounds are made using different parts of the mouth. They include sounds made with the lips, tongue, and throat.
Ngunnawal Consonants
Ngunnawal has many consonant sounds. These are sounds like 'b', 'd', 'm', and 'n'. Some sounds are made with the front of the tongue. Others use the back of the tongue.
Ngunnawal Vowels
The Ngunnawal language also has vowel sounds. These are sounds like 'a', 'i', and 'u'. Some vowels can be short or long. This changes the meaning of words.
Bringing the Language Back to Life
The Ngunnawal community is working hard to bring their language back. They want to use it every day again. They are getting help from experts. These experts are linguists from the AIATSIS. They are looking at old records to find out more about the language. This helps them teach it to new generations.
Common Ngunnawal Words and Phrases
Learning some Ngunnawal words is a great way to connect with the culture. Here are some examples:
| Ngunawal | English | Ref. |
|---|---|---|
| Balbo | Kangaroo rat | |
| Bamir | Long | |
| Bargang | Yellow box tree | |
| Berra | Boomerang | |
| Bimbi | Bird | |
| Bimbiang | Shield | |
| Bindugan | Mussel | |
| Birrigai | To laugh | |
| Budyan | Birds | |
| Bunburung | Small lizard | |
| Bunduluk | Rosella (a type of parrot) | |
| Bunima | Blow (as wind) | |
| Burrai | Quick | |
| Burrum-bah | Where the kangaroo, the wallaby, bounces over the rocks | |
| Bural | Day | |
| Burin | Stringybark (a type of tree) | |
| Dhangarn | Food | |
| Daramoolen | Dreaming (a spiritual concept) | |
| Darwa | A transition for ceremony | |
| Dulwa | Casuarina trees | |
| Dyindan | Ring-tail possum | |
| Galu | Crane (a type of bird) | |
| Gamburra | Flowers | |
| Gang-gang | Gang-gang cockatoo | |
| Giliruk | Pee wee (a type of bird) | |
| Ginninderra | Sparkling light | |
| Ginin-ginin-derry | Sparkling, throwing out little rays of light (possibly a description of a waterfall) |
|
| Gubbity | Pipeclay | |
| Gubur Dhaura | Red ochre ground | |
| Gudali | To hunt | |
| Guginya | Kookaburra | |
| Gula | Koala | |
| Gulwan | Younger sister | |
| Gummiuk | Bulrushes | |
| Gunyan | Slow | |
| Jedbinbilla | A place where boys become men | |
| Gurubun | Koala | |
| Kubbadang | Moon | |
| Karrugang | Magpie | |
| Kudyera | Fighting club | |
| Kanbarra | Meeting Place | |
| Madi | Very | |
| Mulleun | Eagle | |
| Mulunggang | Platypus | |
| Mundang | Canoe | |
| Mundawari | Bandicoot | |
| Munjuwa | Tracks, Foot | |
| Mura | Pathway | |
| Mura gadi | Pathways for searching | |
| Murra Bidgee Mullangari | Keeping the pathway to our ancestors alive | |
| Murrung | Lizard | |
| Nangi | To see or look | |
| Narragunnawali | Alive/well-being/coming together | |
| Nengi Bamir | See far (view) | |
| Ngadyung | Water | |
| Ngunna yerrabi yanggu | You're welcome to leave your footprints on our land | |
| Nguru | Camp | |
| Pajong | Ngunnawal clan group | |
| Tuggeranong | Cold place | |
| Umbagong | Axe | |
| Walga | Hawk | |
| Wallabalooa | Ngunnawal clan group | |
| Warabin | Curlew (a type of bird) | |
| Warrumbul | Youth | |
| Weereewa | Lake George (translates roughly to "bad water") |
|
| Wimbaliri | Drink | |
| Winnunga nimmityjah | Strong health | |
| Winyu | Sun | |
| Wirria | Tree goanna | |
| Woggabaliri | Play | |
| Yarrh | Running water | |
| Yeal-am-bid-gie | Molonglo River | |
| Yerra | Swim, to fly like a bird | |
| Yerrabi | To walk | |
| Yerradhang | Eucalyptus Tree | |
| Yukkumbruk | Black Crow | |
| Yumba | Eel | |
| wolway | waterfall | |
| Yuyu | Mopoke (a type of owl) |
More Ngunawal words can be found in old writings. One important article is The Wiradyuri and Other Languages of New South Wales. It was written by Robert H. Mathews in 1904. You can also find more information about the Ngunawal language revival project online.
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