Wik-Ngathan language facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Wik-Ngathan |
|
|---|---|
| Wik-Iinjtjenj | |
| Native to | Australia |
| Region | Cape York Peninsula, Queensland |
| Ethnicity | Wiknatanja, Wik-Kalkan |
| Native speakers | 3 (2016 census) |
| Language family |
Pama–Nyungan
|
| Dialects |
Wik-Ngathan
Wik-Ngatharr (Wik-Alken)
|
| AIATSIS | Y54 Wik Ngathan, Y51 |
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Wik-Ngathan is a special language spoken by the Wik-Ngathan people in Australia. It is also known as Wik-Iinjtjenj. This language belongs to a group called Paman languages.
Wik-Ngathan is spoken in a place called the Cape York Peninsula. This area is in the state of Queensland, which is in northern Australia.
Contents
About the Wik-Ngathan Language
The Wik-Ngathan language is part of a larger group of languages called Wik languages. It is very closely related to another language called Wik-Ngatharr. These languages share many words and grammar rules.
How Many People Speak Wik-Ngathan?
Sadly, not many people speak Wik-Ngathan today. In 1981, about 130 people spoke the language. However, by 2016, only 3 people were recorded as speakers. This means Wik-Ngathan is a definitely endangered language. It is at risk of disappearing if no one learns to speak it.
Learning More About Wik-Ngathan
To help preserve the language, a special book called a dictionary has been created. This dictionary of Wik-Ngathan was put together by a person named Peter Sutton. A dictionary helps people learn new words and understand how the language works. It is a very important tool for keeping a language alive.
See also
In Spanish: Idioma wik-ngathan para niños
