Tulua language facts for kids

The Tulua language was an Aboriginal Australian language. It was spoken by people in Queensland, Australia. You might also see it called Toolooa, Dulua, or Narung. Sadly, this language is now extinct, meaning no one speaks it anymore. It was last spoken around 1973.

What Was the Tulua Language?

The Tulua language was part of the Pama–Nyungan language family. This is a very large group of Aboriginal languages in Australia. Specifically, Tulua belonged to a smaller group called Waka–Kabic languages.

Tulua and Dappil: Are They the Same?

The name Dappil (sometimes written Dapil) might be another name for the Tulua language. Some experts, like Terrill (1998), think they are the same. It's also possible that the Dappil and Tulua people were the same group of people.

It can be tricky to know for sure. For example, old records from Mathew (1913) mention "Toolooa" and "Dappil." Later, Kite and Wurm (2004) refer to "Dapil." This shows how names for languages and groups can change or be confusing over time.

Why is Tulua Important Today?

Even though Tulua is no longer spoken, it is still very important. As of 2020, the Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies (AIATSIS) gives special attention to the name "Tulua" for this language.

Tulua is one of 20 languages chosen for a special project. This project is called the Priority Languages Support Project. It is run by First Languages Australia and funded by the Australian government. The goal is to find and record languages that are in great danger of being lost forever. These are languages where there might be very little information or no recordings. The project tries to find any living speakers to document their knowledge. This helps to preserve the history and culture of these languages for future generations.