Wiradjuri language facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Wiradjuri |
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|---|---|
| Wirraaydhuurray Wirraayjuurray |
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| Region | New South Wales |
| Ethnicity | Wiradjuri, Weraerai, ?Jeithi |
| Native speakers | 30 (2005) |
| Language family |
Pama–Nyungan
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| Dialects |
Wirraayaraay (Wiraiari)
? Jeithi
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| AIATSIS | D10 |
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Wiradjuri (pronounced wuh-RAJ-uh-ree) is a special language from the Wiradjuri people of Australia. It belongs to a big group of languages called Pama–Nyungan. For a long time, fewer people spoke Wiradjuri, but now it's being brought back to life! It's even taught in schools today. Some people think that Wiraiari and Jeithi might have been different ways of speaking Wiradjuri.
Contents
Bringing the Wiradjuri Language Back to Life
The Wiradjuri language is making a big comeback! It's now taught in many schools, from primary to high school, and even at TAFE colleges. You can find these classes in towns like Parkes, Forbes, and Condobolin.
Schools in places like Peak Hill, Dubbo, Narromine, Wellington, Gilgandra, Trangie, and Geurie also teach Wiradjuri. Teachers from the AECG (Aboriginal Education Consultative Group) help lead these language and culture lessons. Both Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal students learn together.
In Young, teaching Wiradjuri has had a great effect. More students are proudly saying they are Aboriginal. Charles Sturt University also has a two-year course. It helps people learn the Wiradjuri language, history, and culture. This course started in 2014. It was created by a respected Wiradjuri Elder, Dr Stan Grant Senior. He worked on it as part of the Wiradjuri Language and Cultural Heritage Recovery Project.
The Wiradjuri Dictionary: A Big Help
A very important step in bringing the language back was a dictionary. In 2005, A First Wiradjuri Dictionary was published. It was created by Dr Stan Grant Senior and Dr John Rudder.
The dictionary has over 400 pages. It has two main parts: English to Wiradjuri words, and Wiradjuri to English words. Each part has about 5,000 words! There's also a section that lists names of things. These are grouped into categories like animals, birds, plants, and body parts. The dictionary also helps with pronunciation and explains basic grammar.
A newer, bigger version came out in 2010. It has over 8,000 words! There's even a mobile app based on the dictionary. You can get it for your phone or use a web-based version. In 2014, a book called Grammar of Wiradjuri language was also published.
How Wiradjuri Sounds: Phonology
Languages have different sounds. Here's a look at the sounds in Wiradjuri.
Wiradjuri Consonant Sounds
Wiradjuri has many consonant sounds. Some are made with your lips, some with your tongue.
| Sounds from the edges of your mouth | Sounds from the front of your tongue | Sounds from the tip of your tongue | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lips | Back of mouth | Behind teeth | Middle of mouth | Behind gums | Curled tongue | |
| Stop sounds | b (b) | ɡ (g) | d̪ (dh) | ɟ (j) | d (d) | |
| Nasal sounds | m (m) | ŋ (ng) | n̪ (nh) | ɲ (ny) | n (n) | |
| Side sounds | l (l) | |||||
| R-like sounds | r (rr) | |||||
| Glide sounds | w (w) | j (y) | ɻ (r) | |||
Wiradjuri Vowel Sounds
Wiradjuri has fewer vowel sounds than English. They can be short or long.
| Front | Middle | Back | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Short | Long | Short | Long | Short | Long | |
| High | ɪ (i) | iː (ī) | ʊ (u) | uː~oː (ū) | ||
| Mid/Low | ə (a) | aː (ā) | ||||
Wiradjuri Words You Can Learn
Learning some words is a great way to understand a language!
The Meaning of "Wagga Wagga"
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The town of Wagga Wagga gets its name from the Wiradjuri language. The word wagga means 'crow'. When you say a word twice in Wiradjuri, it often means 'many' or 'a place of'. So, Wagga Wagga means 'the place of many crows'. Some people also think it might mean 'dances and celebrations'.
Animals in Wiradjuri
The Wiradjuri people have many words for the animals around them.
| English | Wiradjuri |
|---|---|
| animal (in general) | gidyira, balugan |
| bat | ngarradan |
| bilby | ngundawang, bilbi |
| bunyip | waawii seema |
| butterfly | budyabudya |
| dingo | yugay, warragul |
| dog | mirri |
| echidna | wandayali, wandhayirra |
| emu | dinawan |
| frog | gulaangga |
| horse | yarraman |
| kangaroo | wambuwany |
| koala | burrandhang |
| kookaburra | gugubarra |
| magpie | garuu |
| owl | ngugug |
| platypus | biladurang |
| possum | wilay |
| snake | gadi |
| swan | dhundhu |
| quoll | mabi, babila |
| wombat | wambad |
Family Words in Wiradjuri
Here are some words for family members.
| English | Wiradjuri |
|---|---|
| man | gibir |
| woman | yinaa |
| mother | gunhi |
| father | babiin |
| son | wurrumany |
| sister (older) | mingaan |
| sister (younger) | minhi |
| brother (older) | gaagang |
| brother (younger) | gagamin |
| girl | migay |
| boy | birrany |
| baby | gudha |
| grandmother | badhiin |
Numbers in Wiradjuri
Counting in Wiradjuri!
| English | Wiradjuri |
|---|---|
| one | ngumbaay |
| two | bula |
| three | bula ngumbaay |
| four | bula bula |
| five | marra |
| six | marra ngumbaay |
| seven | marra bula |
| eight | marra bula ngumbaay |
| nine | marra bula bula |
| ten | marra marra |
Body Parts in Wiradjuri
Learn some words for parts of the body.
| English | Wiradjuri |
|---|---|
| backside | bubul |
| chest | birring |
| eye | mil |
| hand | marra |
Action Words (Verbs) in Wiradjuri
Here are some verbs, words that show action.
| English | Wiradjuri |
|---|---|
| to dance | waganha |
| to dig | wangarra |
| to laugh | gindanha |
| to swim | bambinya |
| to stay | wibiyanha |
Other Useful Wiradjuri Words
Some other words you might find useful.
| English | Wiradjuri |
|---|---|
| yes | ngawa |
| no | wiray |
| home | gunya |
| money/pebbles | walang |
| left | wayburr |
| right | bumaldhal |
Wiradjuri Phrases: How to Talk!
How to Introduce Yourself
| English | Wiradjuri |
|---|---|
| What's your name? | Widyu-ndhu yuwin ngulung? |
| My name is James. | Yuwin ngadhi James. |
| Who's this one? | Ngandhi nginha? |
| This is mother. | Nginha gunhi. |
Wiradjuri Greetings
| English | Wiradjuri |
|---|---|
| Good day! | Yiradhu marang! |
| Are you well? | Yamandhu marang? |
| Yes, I'm well. | Ngawa baladhu marang. |
| That's good. | Marang nganha. |
Talking About Love
| English | Wiradjuri |
|---|---|
| Love | Ngurrbul |
| I love you | Nginyugu ngurrbul |
| You are beautiful | Nghindu nguyaguyamilang |
Wiradjuri Words in English
Some words we use in English actually come from the Wiradjuri language!
- kookaburra: This is a type of bird that laughs.
- quandong: This is a type of native Australian tree that has tasty fruit.
- quarrion: This is another name for a cockatiel, a popular pet bird.
See also
In Spanish: Idioma wiradjuri para niños
