Gurindji language

Gurindji
Gurinji, Korindji, Garundji, Kuurrinjtji
Pronunciation/ɡʊˈrɪndʒi/
Native toNorthern Territory, Australia
RegionVictoria River and Wave Hill, Kalkaringi
EthnicityGurindji, Ngarinyman, Malngin, Wandjira, Bilingara
Native speakers
620 (2021 census)[1]
Dialects
  • Eastern Gurindji
  • Wanjdjirra
  • Malngin
  • Wurlayi
  • Ngarinyman
  • Bilinarra
  • ?Kartangarurru
Language codes
ISO 639-3Either:
gue – Gurinji
nbj – Ngarinyman
Glottologguri1247  Gurindji
ngar1235  Ngarinman
AIATSIS[2]C20 Gurindji (cover term), C27 Ngarinyman (cover term)
ELPGurindji
 Ngarinyman[3]

Gurindji is a Pama–Nyungan language spoken by the Gurindji and Ngarinyman people in the Northern Territory, Australia. The language of the Gurindji is highly endangered,[4] with about 592 speakers remaining and only 175 of those speakers fully understanding the language.[5] There are in addition about 60 speakers of Ngarinyman dialect.[2] Gurindji Kriol is a mixed language that derives from the Gurindji language.

Patrick McConvell writes: "Traditional Gurindji today is only generally spoken in private contexts between older people, although it is occasionally used in speeches and newly composed songs."[6]

Patrick McConvell also states: "Gurindji has been taught intermittently for short periods as a subject in the local school over the last twenty-five years but mostly has had no role in the curriculum or in official community functions."[6]

The Gurindji language has borrowed many words from surrounding languages such as Gajirrabeng,[7] Ngaliwurru, Jaminjung, Jaru, Miriwung, and Wardaman.

  1. ^ Australian Bureau of Statistics (2021). "Cultural diversity: Census". Retrieved 13 October 2022.
  2. ^ a b C20 Gurindji (cover term) at the Australian Indigenous Languages Database, Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies  (see the info box for additional links)
  3. ^ Endangered Languages Project data for Ngarinyman.
  4. ^ Hobson, John Robert; Lowe, Kevin Connolly; Poetsch, Susan Patricia; Walsh, Michael James (2010). Re-Awakening Languages Theory and practice in the revitalisation of Australia's Indigenous languages. Australia: Sydney University Press. p. 229. ISBN 9781920899554.
  5. ^ Milin, Rozenn; Zhan, Yihui (2009). "Gurindji « Sorosoro". www.sorosoro.org. Retrieved 2016-05-03.
  6. ^ a b Haspelmath, Martin; Tadmor, Uri, eds. (2009). "31: Loanwords in Gurindji, a Pama-Nyungan language of Australia". Loanwords in the World's Languages: A Comparative Handbook. Berlin, Germany: De Gruyter Mouton. pp. 790–793. ISBN 978-3-11-021843-5.
  7. ^ "Language: Gajirrabeng". World Loanword Database. Max Planck Society. Retrieved 10 February 2020.