2019 International Year of Indigenous Languages: Word of the Week - Week Thirty-Five.
By administrator | 27 August 2019
As part of State Library's commitment to the 2019 International Year of Indigenous Languages, we will be promoting a 'word of the week' from one of the 125+ Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander languages and dialects from across Queensland.
To coincide with Father's Day on 1 September, Week 35's word is ngapiri , from the Yandruwandha language of Far Western Queensland. Ngapiri means 'father' - the wordle image below depicts a selection of words for 'father' from a range of Queensland's Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander languages.
This week's word is sourced from Innamincka Words: Yandruwandha dictionary and stories which was published by Breen in 1990. Yandruwandha is spoken in Far Western Queensland crossing the borders into New South Wales and South Australia. The language area includes part of the catchments of Cooper Creek and Strzelecki Creek as well as the town of Innamincka in South Australia.
Yandruwandha is also known as Yandruwantha, Jendru-wonta, Yandruwunta, etc. and is closely related to the neighbouring languages of the Lakes Country of North-East South Australia. In particular, Nhirrpi, Yawarrawarrka, Matja, Parlpamardramardra and Ngananhina share many words with Yandruwandha.
Gavan Breen has undertaken extensive linguistic work in the region and has published books and articles on Yandruwandha - several of which are held in the State Library collections.
Join the conversation as we post a new word for each week!
Week Thirty-Five 27 August - 2 September 2019.
#slqIYIL #IYIL2019 #IYIL #IY2019WordoftheWeek #SLQIndigenousLanguages
Desmond Crump
Indigenous Languages Coordinator, State Library of Queensland
State Library of Queensland Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Languages Webpages
State Library of Queensland Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Languages Map
Jarjum stories: A kuril dhagun showcase focusing on children’s books and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander languages. Opens 19 October 2019.
Spoken: celebrating Queensland languages: A major exhibition exploring the survival and revival of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander languages throughout Queensland. Join in the many talks and events to celebrate the rich and diverse languages spoken today. Opens 21 November 2019.
UN IY2019 Links
UN International Year of Indigenous Languages webpages
UN International Year of Indigenous Languages Resources
References
The word of the week has been sourced from the following items in the State Library collections.
Source: Breen, J.G. (1990) Innamincka Words: Yandruwandha dictionary and stories. J 499.15 INN
Further Reading
Other materials in the State Library collections relating to Yandruwandha and neighbouring languages include the following:
Breen, J.G. (1990) Salvage Studies of Western Queensland Aboriginal Languages. J 499.15 bre
Breen, J.G. (1990) Innamincka Words: Yandruwandha dictionary and stories. J 499.15 INN
Breen, J.G. (2004) Innamincka talk: a grammar of the Innamincka dialect of Yandruwandha with notes on other dialects. J 499.15 BRE
Conrick, P. (1988) Dictionary of Dieri-Yantrawantra-Wangkumara tribes of the Cooper-Tibooburra-Innamincka areas. Q 499.15 con
Curr, E. M. (1887) The Australian Race: its origins, languages, customs, place of landing in Australia and the routes by which it spread itself over that continent. RBF 572.994 cur
Harrison, G. (1991) Wangkumara alphabet book. PAM 499.15 1981
Hercus, L. (1994) A grammar of the Arabana-Wangkangurru language, Lake Eyre Basin, South Australia. G 499.15 1994
McDonald, M. and Wurm, S. A. (1979) Basic materials in Wangkumara (Galali): grammar, sentences and vocabulary. Online version.
Comments
Your email address will not be published.
We welcome relevant, respectful comments.