Nyungic | |
---|---|
(reduced) | |
Geographic distribution | South West (Western Australia) |
Linguistic classification | Pama–Nyungan
|
Subdivisions | |
Language codes | |
Glottolog | None |
Nyungic languages (green) among other Pama–Nyungan (tan). Classification of Bowern (2011). Noongar is the section in the southwest. |
The Nyungic languages are the south-westernmost of the Australian Aboriginal languages:[1]
Galaagu and Kalaamaya/Natingero are poorly attested; it is not clear how close they are to each other or to Noongar, and Kalaamaya may have been a variety of Noongar proper. A variety called Njakinjaki (Nyaki Nyaki) has been variously said to be a dialect of Noongar or of Kalaamaya.[2]
The term Nyungic has been used for the bulk of the Southwest Pama–Nyungan languages (see). However, that is a geographical group, not a demonstrable family. Bowern restricts both terms to Noongar plus Galaagu, which is poorly attested and had been misclassified as one of the Mirning languages.