Turrbal language facts for kids

Turrbal is an Aboriginal Australian language of Queensland. It is the language of the Turrbal people, who are the traditional owners and custodians of Brisbane.

The Turrbal Association uses the Turrbal spelling and prefer this over other spellings of Turrbal such as Turubul, Turrubal, Turrabul, Toorbal, and Tarabul.

The four dialects listed in Dixon (2002) are sometimes seen as separate Durubalic languages, especially Jandai and Nunukul; Yagara, Yugarabul, and Turrbul proper are more likely to be considered dialects.

Influence on other languages

The Australian English word yakka, an informal term referring to any work, especially of strenuous kind, comes from the Yagara word yaga, the verb for 'work'.

The literary journal Meanjin takes its name from meanjin, a Turrbal word meaning 'spike', referring to the spike of land Brisbane was later built on.

Vocabulary

Some words from the Turrbal / Yagara language, as spelt and written by Turrbal / Yagara authors include:

• Bigi: sun
• Binung: ear
• Bugwal: wallaby
• Buneen: echidna
• Bangil / bungil: grass
• Buhn: knee
• Buyu: shin
• Deear : teeth
• Dhagun: land
• Dhambur : mouth
• Dharang: leg
• Dhiggeri: belly / stomach
• Dinna: foot
• Dyrrbin: bone
• Gahm: head
• Giga: shoulder
• Gurumba bigi: good day
• Gujah / guttah: snake
• Gagarr / guyurr: fish
• Juhrram: rain
• Juwahduwan / juwahnduwan / juwanbinl: bird(s)
• Killen: finger
• Kundul: canoe
• Marra: hand
• Dumbirrbi / marrambi: koala
• Mil: eye / eyes
• Guruman / murri: kangaroo
• Muru: nose
• Nammul: children
• Nggurrun: neck
• Ngumbi: home / camp
• Tahbil: water (fresh)
• Towan: fish
• Tullei: tree
• Waiyebba: arm
• Wunya: welcome / greetings
• Yilam: forehead

See also

In Spanish: Idioma turrubal para niños