Nunggubuyu language

Nunggubuyu
Wubuy
Native toAustralia
RegionNumbulwar, Northern Territory
EthnicityNunggubuyu people
Native speakers
283 (2021 census)[1]
perhaps 400 semi-speakers and second language speakers
Language codes
ISO 639-3nuy
Glottolognung1290
AIATSIS[2]N128
ELPWubuy
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Nunggubuyu or Wubuy is an Australian Aboriginal language, the traditional language of the Nunggubuyu people ('Nunggubuyu' is nun- 'people of' + wubuy, the name of the language). It is the primary traditional language spoken in the community of Numbulwar in the Northern Territory, although Numbulwar is traditionally associated with the Warndarrang language.[3] The language is classified as severely endangered by UNESCO,[4] with only 283 speakers according to the 2021 census.[1] Most children in Numbulwar can understand Nunggubuyu when spoken to, but cannot speak it themselves, having to reply in Kriol. To counter this, starting in 1990, the community has been embarking on a revitalisation programme for the language by bringing in elders to teach it to children at the local school.[5]

  1. ^ a b "SBS Australian Census Explorer". Retrieved 12 January 2023.
  2. ^ N128 Nunggubuyu at the Australian Indigenous Languages Database, Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies
  3. ^ Numbulwar Numburindi Community Government Council (2007). "Numbulwar's Profile & Information". Archived from the original on 29 August 2007. Retrieved 11 November 2007. The major language spoken in Numbulwar is Noongabuyu (Noon-ga-boy-you) along with creole. English is generally regarded as a third language in the community.
  4. ^ "UNESCO Atlas of the World's Languages in danger". www.unesco.org. UNESCO. Retrieved 27 August 2017.
  5. ^ Davidson, Helen (6 September 2016). "We talk in Wubuy but children reply in Kriol – Numbulwar school on a language rescue mission". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 27 August 2017.