Nyulnyulan languages facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Nyulnyulan
Geographic distribution:	along Fitzroy River, Dampier Peninsula in the Kimberley region
Linguistic classification:	One of the world's primary language families
Subdivisions:	Eastern Western
Nyulnyulan languages (purple), among other non-Pama-Nyungan languages (grey)

The Nyulnyulan languages are a small group of related languages that were once spoken by Indigenous Australians in the northern part of Western Australia. These languages are very closely connected, like branches on a family tree. Sadly, most of these languages are now extinct, meaning no one speaks them anymore. The few that are left are also very close to disappearing, with only a few speakers remaining.

What are the Nyulnyulan Languages?

The Nyulnyulan language family is divided into two main groups, based on how their words and grammar developed over time. Think of these as two main branches of the language family tree:

• Western Nyulnyulan (also called Nyulnyulic):
  • Nyulnyul † (extinct)
  • Bardi
  • Jawi
  • Djabirr-Djabirr † (extinct)
  • Nimanburru † (extinct)

• Eastern Nyulnyulan (also called Dyukun):
  • Yawuru
  • Dyugun † (extinct)
  • Warrwa † (extinct)
  • Nyigina
  • Ngumbarl † (extinct)

The dagger symbol (†) next to a language name means it is no longer spoken.

Words in Nyulnyulan Languages

Even though these languages are related, they have some different words for the same things. This is like how English and German are related but have different words for "water" (water vs. Wasser).

Here are a few examples of words from some Nyulnyulan languages, showing how they are similar or different:

See also

In Spanish: Lenguas nyulnyulanas para niños