Paakantyi language facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Darling
Paakantyi
Native to	Australia
Ethnicity	Paakantyi, Kula (Kurnu), Naualko, Paaruntyi, Parrintyi, Wilyakali (Wiljali), Danggali, Maraura, Wanjiwalku
Native speakers	110  (2021 census)
Language family	Pama–Nyungan Yarli–Baagandji Darling
Dialects	?Gurnu (Guula) Naualko Baarundji Barrindji Wiljaali Dhanggaali (Thangkaali) Bulaali Wanyuparlku (Wanyuparlku) Pantyikali Marawara (Maraura)
AIATSIS	D12
The Darling language (green) among other Pama–Nyungan (tan)
Paakantyi is classified as Critically Endangered by the UNESCO Atlas of the World's Languages in Danger

The Paakantyi language, also spelt Paakantji, Barkindji, Barkandji, and Baagandji, and also known as the Darling language, is a nearly extinct Australian Aboriginal language spoken along the Darling River in New South Wales from present-day Bourke to Wentworth and including much of the back country around the Paroo River and Broken Hill. The people's and language name refers to the Paaka (Darling River) with the suffix -ntyi meaning "belonging to". The speakers of the language are known as the Paakantyi (or variant spelling).

The major work on the Paakantyi language has been that of linguist Luise Hercus.

Dialects

Dialects of Paakantyi include Southern Paakantyi (Baagandji, Bagundji), Kurnu (Kula), Wilyakali (Wiljagali), and Pantyikali-Wanyiwalku (Wanyuparlku, Bandjigali, Baarundji), Parrintyi (Barrindji), Marawara (Maraura). Bowern (2011) lists Gurnu/Guula as a separate language, though Hercus includes it because of its almost identical vocabulary. Dixon adds several other names, some perhaps synonyms; Bulaali (Bulali) may have been an alternative name for Wilyakali, but also for a different language, Maljangapa.

Current status

A 2012 report indicated that two people could speak the Darling language fluently, while in the 2021 census, 111 individuals indicated that Paakantyi was spoken at home.

Phonology

Consonants

Vowels