Biri language

Biri
Eastern Maric
Native toAustralia
RegionQueensland
EthnicityBiria, Kangulu, Wiri, Yuibera, Yilba, Barada, Yambina, Yetimarala, Karingbal, Yangga, Giya (Bumbarra), Baranha, Miyan
Extinct(date missing)
Revivalsome dialects
Dialects
  • Biri
  • Garaynbal
  • Gangulu
  • Baradha
  • Yambina
  • Yangga
  • Yilba
  • Wiri (Widi)
  • Giya (Bumbarra)
  • Yetimarala/Yetimarla
  • Yuwi (Yuipera)?
  • Mandalgu?
Language codes
ISO 639-3Variously:
bzr – Biri
gnl – Gangulu
xgi – Garingbal
Glottologeast2716
AIATSIS[1]E56 Biri, etc.
ELPBiri

Biri, also known as Biria, Birri Gubba, Birigaba, Wiri, Perembba and other variants, is an Australian Aboriginal language of the Mackay area of Queensland spoken by the Birri Gubba people. There are at least eight languages regarded as dialects of Biri, and two which are related but whose status is not yet fully determined (see the table to the right). All are covered in this article.

A grammar of Biri proper was written before the language became nearly extinct. As of January 2020 some of the dialects have been undergoing a revival for some years.[2]

  1. ^ E56 Biri, etc. at the Australian Indigenous Languages Database, Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies
  2. ^ Crump, Des (9 June 2020). "Language of the Week: Week Two - Birria". State Library Of Queensland. Retrieved 15 December 2023.