Paakantyi language facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Darling |
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Paakantyi | |
Native to | Australia |
Ethnicity | Paakantyi, Kula (Kurnu), Naualko, Paaruntyi, Parrintyi, Wilyakali (Wiljali), Danggali, Maraura, Wanjiwalku |
Native speakers | 110 (2021 census) |
Language family |
Pama–Nyungan
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Dialects |
?Gurnu (Guula)
Naualko
Baarundji
Barrindji
Wiljaali
Dhanggaali (Thangkaali)
Bulaali
Wanyuparlku (Wanyuparlku)
Pantyikali
Marawara (Maraura)
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AIATSIS | D12 |
The Darling language (green) among other Pama–Nyungan (tan)
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The Paakantyi language, also spelt Paakantji, Barkindji, Barkandji, and Baagandji, and also known as the Darling language, is a nearly extinct Australian Aboriginal language spoken along the Darling River in New South Wales from present-day Bourke to Wentworth and including much of the back country around the Paroo River and Broken Hill. The people's and language name refers to the Paaka (Darling River) with the suffix -ntyi meaning "belonging to". The speakers of the language are known as the Paakantyi (or variant spelling).
The major work on the Paakantyi language has been that of linguist Luise Hercus.
Contents
Dialects
Dialects of Paakantyi include Southern Paakantyi (Baagandji, Bagundji), Kurnu (Kula), Wilyakali (Wiljagali), and Pantyikali-Wanyiwalku (Wanyuparlku, Bandjigali, Baarundji), Parrintyi (Barrindji), Marawara (Maraura). Bowern (2011) lists Gurnu/Guula as a separate language, though Hercus includes it because of its almost identical vocabulary. Dixon adds several other names, some perhaps synonyms; Bulaali (Bulali) may have been an alternative name for Wilyakali, but also for a different language, Maljangapa.
Current status
A 2012 report indicated that two people could speak the Darling language fluently, while in the 2021 census, 111 individuals indicated that Paakantyi was spoken at home.
Phonology
Consonants
Labial | Dental | Palatal | Alveolar | Retroflex | Velar | |
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Stop | p | t̪ | c | t | ʈ | k |
Nasal | m | n̪ | ɲ | n | ɳ | ŋ |
Lateral | l̪ | ʎ | l | ɭ | ||
Rhotic | ɾ~r | |||||
Approximant | w | j | ɻ |
Vowels
Front | Central | Back | |
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Close | ɪ, i | ʊ, u | |
Open | ʌ, a |