Ngura languages facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Ngura |
|
|---|---|
| Ngurawarla | |
| Ethnicity: | various (Wongkumara, Ngandangara, Punthamara, Kalali, ?Bidjara, ??Thereila, Karendala, Ngurawola, etc.) |
| Geographic distribution: |
Northwest New South Wales, southwest Queensland, Australia |
| Linguistic classification: | Pama–Nyungan; some languages may be Karnic, some Maric, some unclassified or spurious |
| Subdivisions: |
Bulloo River language (Karna–Mari 'fringe')
Wilson River language (Karnic)
Badjiri (Maric?)
+ unattested varieties and spurious names
|
Ngura is a name that people used to describe a group of languages and people in central Australia. However, it's not really a single language or a specific group of people. The name 'Nura', which is short for Ngurawarla, means 'empty camp'. This name was used for areas that people left because of very difficult times.
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Understanding the Ngura Name
The name 'Ngura' is often debated among experts. It doesn't refer to one clear language or a single group of people. Instead, it seems to be a general term for different language varieties spoken in parts of central Australia. All the languages linked to the 'Ngura' name are no longer spoken today.
How Languages Are Classified
Experts like Dr. Claire Bowern have studied these languages. She helps us understand how they might be related to other language families in Australia.
- The Wilson River language is considered an Eastern Karnic language. This language was spoken by the 'modern' Galali (or Garlali) and Wangkumara-plus-Bundhamara (or Punthamara) peoples. These groups are also known as, or are closely related to, the Ngandangara or Yarumarra peoples.
- The Bulloo River language is a bit different. It's an unclassified language from the 'Karna–Mari fringe'. This means it's on the edge of the Karna and Mari language groups, and its exact family isn't fully clear yet. This language was spoken by the 'old' Garlali and Wangkumara peoples.
Other Related Languages
Some other language names are also linked to the Ngura area:
- Bidjara (or Bitharra) might be another version of the Bulloo River language. However, there isn't enough information to be sure. It's important not to confuse this with another language also called Bidjara language, which belongs to the Maric languages.
- The Badjiri language is likely a Maric language. Experts initially weren't sure, but more recent studies suggest it belongs to the Maric family.
Main Ngura-Related Languages
Even though 'Ngura' isn't one group, there's enough information to identify three main languages that were sometimes called "Ngura" languages. These languages do not form a single, connected language family.
- Bulloo River language: This language is unclassified, meaning it doesn't clearly fit into a known language family. It includes the languages spoken by the 'Old' Garlali and Wanggumara peoples. It might also include languages like Bidjara (Bitharra) and Mingbari (Minkabari).
- Wilson River language: This language belongs to the East branch of the Karnic language family. It includes the languages spoken by the 'modern' Garlali and Wanggumara, Punthamara (Bundhamara), Ngandangara, Yarumarra (Eromarra), Karenggapa, and Gungadidji (Kungadutji) peoples. Mambangura or Dhiraila (Thereila) might also be part of this group.
- Badjiri language: This language is thought to be part of the Maric language family.
Language Codes and Records
In 2013, the old international code for 'Ngura' (nbx) was divided. New codes were created for specific languages like (old?) Garlali, Punthamara, (old and modern?) Wangkumara, and Badjiri.
A fifth code, [ekc], was created for other names that didn't have enough information to be confirmed as actual languages. This code was called the 'Eastern Karnic' language, but it's important not to confuse it with the 'Eastern Karnic' languages that Dr. Bowern identified as Wilson River. The [ekc] code was no longer used after 2020.
There is very little information about a name called 'Garandala' (Karendala). A few words from 'Kunandaburi' might be related to Kungadutji, which is part of the Wilson River language.
