Warrgamay language

Warrgamay is an extinct Australian Aboriginal language of northeast Queensland. It was closely related to Dyirbal.

Warrgamay
Biyay
Native to	Australia
Region	Northeast Queensland
Ethnicity	Warakamai, Biyaygiri
Extinct	(3 speakers in 1981)
Language family	Pama–Nyungan Dyirbalic Warrgamay
Dialects	Warrgamay Biyay (Biyaygiri) 1[1] Biyay 2[2]
Language codes
ISO 639-3	wgy
Glottolog	warr1255
AIATSIS[2]	Y134
ELP	Warrgamay

It is also known as Waragamai, Wargamay, Wargamaygan, Biyay, and Warakamai. The language region includes the Herbert River area, Ingham, Hawkins Creek, Long Pocket, Herbert Vale, Niagara Vale, Yamanic Creek, Herbert Gorge, Cardwell, Hinchinbrook Island and the adjacent mainland.^[3]

Phonology

Consonants

	Peripheral		Laminal	Apical
	Labial	Velar	Palatal	Alveolar	Retroflex
Plosive	b	ɡ	ɟ	d
Nasal	m	ŋ	ɲ	n
Rhotic				r
Lateral				l
Approximant	w		j		ɻ

• Rhotic sounds /r/, /ɻ/ can also be heard as taps [ɾ], [ɽ].

Vowels

	Front	Central	Back
Close	i iː		u uː
Open		a aː

References

1. Dixon, R. M. W. (2002). Australian Languages: Their Nature and Development. Cambridge University Press. p. xxxiii.
2. Y134 Warrgamay at the Australian Indigenous Languages Database, Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies
3. This Wikipedia article incorporates CC BY 4.0 licensed text from: "Warrgamay". Queensland Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander languages map. State Library of Queensland. Retrieved 5 February 2020.

Sources

• Dixon, R. M. W. (1981). "Wargamay". In Dixon, R. M. W.; Blake, B. J. (eds.). Handbook of Australian languages. Vol. 2. Canberra: ANU Press. hdl:1885/114846. ISBN 0-7081-1212-9.

External links

• Djuunydjibali: the Warrgamay Maya Language Story, State Library of Queensland. A short video about the Warrgamay Maya Language Story project, undertaken by Melinda Holden and Bridget Priman, to document and preserve the Warrgamay Language.
• Warrgamay Language Recording, State Library of Queensland
• Bridget Priman digital story, State Library of Queensland. Digital Story discussing Wargamaygan language