Yalarnnga facts for kids
The Yalarnnga, also known as the Jalanga, are an Indigenous Australian people of the state of Queensland.
Language
Yalarnnga is an extinct Australian Aboriginal language, hypothesized to be one of the two Galgadungic languages of the Pama–Nyungan language family. The last native speaker died in 1980.
Country
Norman Tindale estimated their territorial range at 11,000 square kilometres (4,200 sq mi), in the area of Wills Creek, going south of Duchess to Fort William. They lived along the Burke and Mort Rivers and to the north of Chatsworth, and in the localities around Noranside and Buckingham Downs.
History of contact
The lands of the Yalarnnga were first occupied by white settlers in 1877, at which time their numbers were estimated to be around 200 people.
Alternative names
- Yellunga.
- Yelina.
- Wonganja. (putatively an extinct Yalarnnga horde)
Vocabulary
Some words from the Yalarnnga language, as spelt and written by Yalarnnga authors include:
- Kuyungu mungatha: good day
- Karlu / karlo: father
- Mernoo: mother
- Woothane: whiteman
- Kathirr: grass
- Karni: shoulder
- Katyimpa: two
- Kunyu: water
- Karrkuru: yellowbelly (fish)
- Monero: tame dog
