Wiradjuri language

Wiradjuri (many other spellings; see Wiradjuri) is a Pama-Nyungan language of the Wiradhuric subgroup. It was the traditional language of the Wiradhuri people of Australia, but is no longer in general use.

Sample vocabulary

Compared to English, Wiradjuri has a different pronunciation, you can't simply read the word and try to say it as you would an English word, for example when you see 'ng' in a word (normally at the start) it's pronounced like 'ng' in 'sing'. 'aa' sounds like a dragged out 'r' and 'ii' sounds like 'ee'. When you see 'rr' in a word you must roll your tongue to produce the correct sound.

Animals

• Animals: Gidyira, Balugan
• Echidna: Wandayali, Wandhayirra, Ganyi, Ginaginbaany, Guwandiyala, Wambiyala
• Animals(Male): Wambi
• Baby(chicken or Pup): Mangga
• Bandicoot, Long Nosed: Gurawang, Guyand, Gurang
• Bat: Ngarradan
• Bats and Birds(General): Budyaan
• Bilby: Ngundawang, Bilbi, Balbu, Barru
• Brushtail Possum(Male): Gidyay
• Brush Tailed Rock Wallaby: Wirrang, Barrbay
• Bunyip: Waawii
• Wild Cat: Mabi, Babila, Mugiiny-mabi
• Cattle: Gurruganbalang
• Common Wallaroo: Walaruu, Yulama
• Dingo(Female): Garingali
• Dingo: Yugay, Warragul, Dinggu, Dawarang
• Dog: Mirri
• Butterfly: Budyabudya
• Cockatoo: Guwariyan
• Dingo: Yugay
• Emu: Dinawan
• Frog: Gulaangga
• Kangaroo: Wambuwany
• Koala: Burrandhang
• Kookaburra: Gugubarra
• Magpie: Garuu
• Owl: Ngugug
• Platypus: Biladurang
• Possum: Wilay
• Snake: Gadi
• Sugar Glider: Gindaany
• Swan: Dhundhu
• Wombat: Wambad
• Animals(Female): Gunal
• Red Kangaroo(Female): Bandhaa
• Grey Kangaroo: Wambuwuny
• Horse: Yarraman
• Horse(stallion): Yindaay

Other

Ngawa: Yes (Pronounced Ng-Yah-Wah)
Wiray: No (Pronounced W-Ir-YaY)
Gunya: Home (Pronounced Gun-Yah)
Walag: Money/Pebbles (Pronounced Wul-Ung)

Family

Gunhi: Mother
Babiin: Father
Wurrumany: Son
Gaagang: Older Brother
Mingaan: Older Sister
Minhi: Younger Sister
Gagamin: Younger Brother
Migay: Girl
Birrany: Boy
Gudha: Baby

Introductions

Widyu-ndhu yuwin ngulung? What’s your name?
Yuwin ngadhi James. My name is James.
Ngandhi nginha? Who’s this one?
Nginha gunhi. This is mother.

Greetings

Yamandhu marang? Are you well?
Ngawa baladhu marang. Yes I’m well.
Marang nganha. That’s good.

Numbers

• Two: Bula

one: ngumbaay three: bula ngumbaay

Verbs

• Dancing: Waganha
• Digging: Wangarra
• Laughing: Gindanha
• Swimming: Bambinya

Body parts

• Hands: Murra
• Bubul: Backside/Breasts

Teaching

Uncle Stan grant Snr[1] teaches all across central west NSW, see link for more information.

References

• Günther, James (1892). "Grammar and Vocabulary of the Aboriginal dialect called Wirradhuri". in Fraser, John. An Australian Language. Sydney: Government printer. pp. 56–120 of appendix. 
• Hale, Horatio (1846). "The languages of Australia". Ethnography and philology. Vol VI of Reports of the United States Exploring Expedition, under the command of Charles Wilkes. New York: Lea and Blanchard. pp. 457–531. 
• Hosking, Dianne; McNicol, Sally (1993). Wiradjuri. Panther Publishing. 
• Mathews, R. H. (Jul.–Dec. 1904). "The Wiradyuri and Other Languages of New South Wales". The Journal of the Anthropological Institute of Great Britain and Ireland 34: 284–305. doi:10.2307/2843103. 
• McNicol, Sally; Hosking, Dianne (1994). "Wiradjuri". in Nick Thieberger, William McGregor. Macquarie Aboriginal Words. Sydney: Macquarie Library. pp. 79–99. 

Goanna (Googar)

External links

• Ethnologue report for Wiradhuri
• Wiradjuri language materials
• profiles of Grant and Rudder
• Peter Andren MP with material on the Wiradjuri

Wikisource has original text related to this article: The Wiradyuri and Other Languages of New South Wales

This Indigenous Australian languages-related article is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it.

• Wiradjuri Dictionary(Wiradjuri to English and Vice Versa)
• Learning Resources
• More information on Learning Wiradjuri
• Learn Wiradjuri at TAFE