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Turrbal language facts for kids

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Turrbal
Yagara
Region Queensland
Ethnicity Turrbal
Extinct No
Language family
Dialects
Yagara
Turubul
AIATSIS E86 Turubul, E23

The Turrbal language is an important language from the Aboriginal people of Queensland, Australia. It belongs to the Turrbal people. They are the original people and caretakers of the land where Brisbane city now stands.

The Turrbal Association prefers the spelling "Turrbal." Other ways to spell it include Turubul, Turrubal, and Toorbal.

The Turrbal language has different forms, called dialects. Some experts see these as separate languages. For example, Jandai and Nunukul are sometimes seen as their own languages. But Yagara, Yugarabul, and Turrbul are usually thought of as dialects of Turrbal.

How Turrbal Influenced Other Words

The Turrbal language has given us some words used today. These words are now part of Australian English.

The Word 'Yakka'

The Australian English word yakka means hard work. It is an informal term. This word comes from the Yagara word yaga. In the Yagara language, yaga is the verb for 'work'.

The Journal 'Meanjin'

There is a well-known Australian literary journal. It is called Meanjin. The name Meanjin comes from a Turrbal word. This word means 'spike'. It refers to the shape of the land. The city of Brisbane was later built on this spike of land.

Turrbal Vocabulary Words

Here are some words from the Turrbal or Yagara language. These words are written by Turrbal or Yagara authors:

  • Bigi: sun
  • Binung: ear
  • Bugwal: wallaby
  • Buneen: echidna
  • Bangil / bungil: grass
  • Buhn: knee
  • Buyu: shin
  • Deear : teeth
  • Dhagun: land
  • Dhambur : mouth
  • Dharang: leg
  • Dhiggeri: belly / stomach
  • Dinna: foot
  • Dyrrbin: bone
  • Gahm: head
  • Giga: shoulder
  • Gurumba bigi: good day
  • Gujah / guttah: snake
  • Gagarr / guyurr: fish
  • Juhrram: rain
  • Juwahduwan / juwahnduwan / juwanbinl: bird(s)
  • Killen: finger
  • Kundul: canoe
  • Marra: hand
  • Dumbirrbi / marrambi: koala
  • Mil: eye / eyes
  • Guruman / murri: kangaroo
  • Muru: nose
  • Nammul: children
  • Nggurrun: neck
  • Ngumbi: home / camp
  • Tahbil: water (fresh)
  • Towan: fish
  • Tullei: tree
  • Waiyebba: arm
  • Wunya: welcome / greetings
  • Yilam: forehead
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Turrbal language Facts for Kids. Kiddle Encyclopedia.