North Cape York Paman languages facts for kids
Quick facts for kids North Cape York Paman |
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| Northern Paman | |
| Geographic distribution: |
Cape York Peninsula, Queensland |
| Linguistic classification: | Pama–Nyungan
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| Subdivisions: |
Northern Paman (proper) †
Umpila
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 North Cape York Paman languages (green) among other Pama–Nyungan (tan)
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The North Cape York Paman languages are a group of languages spoken by Indigenous Australians. These languages are part of a larger family called the Paman languages. They are all found on the Cape York Peninsula in Queensland, Australia.
Sadly, most of these languages are no longer spoken today. Only a few, like Umpila and the Wik languages, are still used.
What are the North Cape York Paman Languages?
This language family includes about forty different languages. They are mainly grouped together by a linguist named R. M. W. Dixon. A unique feature of the now-extinct Northern Paman branch was that it had sounds called fricatives. These sounds are made by forcing air through a narrow gap in your mouth, like the "f" or "s" sound.
Languages in the Family
Here are some of the languages that belong to the North Cape York Paman group. The dagger symbol (†) means the language is no longer spoken.
- Northern Paman (most of these are extinct)
- Anguthimri (including dialects like Alngith and Linngithigh) †
- Gudang (also known as Djagaraga) †
- Uradhi (including dialects like Atampaya, Yinwum, and Wuthati) †
- Luthigh (including Mpalityan) †
- Awngthim †
- Ndra'ngith †
- Ngkoth †
- Arritinngithigh †
- Adithinngithigh †
- Mbiywom †
- Andjingith †
- Umpila (also called Northeastern Paman, with several different ways of speaking it)
- Wik languages (also known as Middle Paman)
See also
In Spanish: Lenguas pama del Cabo York septentrional para niños
