Nimanburru language facts for kids

Nimanburru was a language spoken by the Nimanburu people in the north-west of Australia. It belonged to a group of languages called the Western Nyulnyulan family. Sadly, Nimanburru is now an extinct language, meaning no one speaks it as their main language today. The last known speaker passed away by 1982.

Map of the traditional lands of Australian Aboriginal tribes around Derby, Western Australia.

Where Was Nimanburru Spoken?

The Nimanburru language was spoken on the eastern side of the Dampier Peninsula. This area is located in the north-west part of Australia, near the town of Derby, Western Australia. The Nimanburu people lived on these lands for many thousands of years. Their language was an important part of their culture and daily life.

What Does "Extinct Language" Mean?

An "extinct language" is a language that no longer has any native speakers. This means that no one uses it as their first language anymore. When a language becomes extinct, a lot of cultural knowledge can be lost. This includes stories, songs, traditions, and ways of understanding the world. It is like a special key to a culture that is no longer used.

How Do We Know About Nimanburru?

Even though Nimanburru is no longer spoken, we still have records of it. These records are like clues that help us learn about the language.

• The Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies (AIATSIS) keeps many important documents. These documents include recordings and notes about the Nimanburru language.
• Some information about Nimanburru can also be found in a book called Australian Languages. This book was written by Hermann Nekes and Ernest Ailred Worms. Their work helped to preserve parts of the language for future generations.

These records are very important. They allow researchers and the Nimanburu people to learn about their ancestors' language. This helps to keep the memory of the language and its culture alive.