Wiradjuri language
Encyclopedia
Wiradjuri is a Pama–Nyungan language of the Wiradhuric
subgroup. It was the traditional language of the Wiradjuri
people of Australia
, but is no longer in general use. The process of reclaiming the language was greatly assisted by the publication in 2005 of A First Wiradjuri Dictionary by elder Stan Gran Senior and consultant Dr John Rudder. John Rudder described the dictionary: "The Wiradjuri Dictionary has three main sections in just over 400 B5 pages. The first two sections, English to Wiradjuri, and Wiradjuri to English, have about 5000 entries each. The third sections lists Names of Things grouped in categories such as animals, birds, plants, climate, body parts, colours. In addition to those main sections the dictionary contains an introduction to accurate pronunciation, a basic grammar of the language and a sample range of sentence types." A revised edition, holding over 8,000 words, was published in 2010 and launched in Wagga Wagga, a launch well described by the member for Riverina to the Australian Parliament. ABC news interview with GrantHansart.
so 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.
Wiray: No (Pronounced W-Ir-YaY)
Gunya: Home (Pronounced Gun-Yah)
Walang: Money/Pebbles (Pronounced Wul-Ung)
Babiin: Father
Wurrumany: Son
Gaagang: Older Brother
Mingaan: Older Sister
Minhi: Younger Sister
Gagamin: Younger Brother
Migay: Girl
Birrany: Boy
Gudha: Baby
Yuwin ngadhi James. My name is James.
Ngandhi nginha? Who’s this one?
Nginha gunhi. This is mother.
Ngawa baladhu marang. Yes I’m well.
Marang nganha. That’s good.
Wiradhuric languages
The Wiradhuric languages, or Central inland New South Wales, are a family of Pama–Nyungan languages of Australia. There are three languages:*Gamilaraay*Wiradhuri–Ngiyambaa**Wiradhuri**NgiyambaaAll are now moribund....
subgroup. It was the traditional language of the Wiradjuri
Wiradjuri
The Wiradjuri are an Indigenous Australian group of central New South Wales.In the 21st century, major Wiradjuri groups live in Condobolin, Peak Hill, Narrandera and Griffith...
people of Australia
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
, but is no longer in general use. The process of reclaiming the language was greatly assisted by the publication in 2005 of A First Wiradjuri Dictionary by elder Stan Gran Senior and consultant Dr John Rudder. John Rudder described the dictionary: "The Wiradjuri Dictionary has three main sections in just over 400 B5 pages. The first two sections, English to Wiradjuri, and Wiradjuri to English, have about 5000 entries each. The third sections lists Names of Things grouped in categories such as animals, birds, plants, climate, body parts, colours. In addition to those main sections the dictionary contains an introduction to accurate pronunciation, a basic grammar of the language and a sample range of sentence types." A revised edition, holding over 8,000 words, was published in 2010 and launched in Wagga Wagga, a launch well described by the member for Riverina to the Australian Parliament. ABC news interview with GrantHansart.
Sample vocabulary
Compared to English, Wiradjuri has a different pronunciationPronunciation
Pronunciation refers to the way a word or a language is spoken, or the manner in which someone utters a word. If one is said to have "correct pronunciation", then it refers to both within a particular dialect....
so 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 seema
- 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)
Walang: Money/Pebbles (Pronounced Wul-Ung)
Family
Gunhi: MotherBabiin: 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.
External links
- Ethnologue report for Wiradhuri
- Wiradjuri language materials
- profiles of Grant and Rudder
- Peter Andren MP with material on the Wiradjuri