Kalaamaya language

Kalaamaya, also spelled Karlamay, is a Pama–Nyungan language of Western Australia. It is poorly attested, but appears to be a close relative of Noongar.^[3]

Kalaamaya
Karlamay
Native to	Australia
Region	Western Australia
Ethnicity	Kalamaia, Njakinjaki?
Extinct	(date missing)[1] 1-10 (2019)[2]
Revival	1 fluent L2; several partial
Language family	Pama–Nyungan Nyungic Kalamaya–Natingero Kalaamaya
Dialects	Nyaki Nyaki?
Language codes
ISO 639-3	lkm
Glottolog	kala1401
AIATSIS[2]	A4 Kalaamaya, A1 Nyaki Nyaki

A variety called Nyaki Nyaki (Njakinjaki) has been variously said to be a dialect of Nyungar or of Kalaamaya.^[4] Natingero has also been listed as a dialect, but it is only 40% lexically similar.

As of 2015^[update], a single fluent speaker, Kaprun elder Brian Champion who learned the language as an adult, and several partial speakers remain.^[5]

See also

• Mirning languages

References

1. "Kaalamaya :: Goldfields Aboriginal Language Centre". Goldbridge Aboriginal Language Center. 18 January 2021. Archived from the original on 18 January 2021. Retrieved 16 April 2021.
2. A4 Kalaamaya at the Australian Indigenous Languages Database, Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies  (see the info box for additional links)
3. • Bowern, Claire (23 December 2011). "How Many Languages Were Spoken in Australia?". Anggarrgoon: Australian languages on the web.
   • Bowern, Claire (6 February 2012). "Master List of Australian Languages, v1.2". Historical and Pama-Nyungan Lab. Yale University.
4. "A1: Nyaki Nyaki / Njaki Njaki". AIATSIS Collection. 26 July 2019.
5. Papas, Chloe; March, Kirstyn (7 July 2015). "Preserving Kaprun language and culture in the Goldfields". Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Archived from the original on 10 July 2015. Retrieved 16 April 2021.