Bidjara language

Not to be confused with the Bidjara dialect of the Bulloo River (Ngura) language or with the Badjiri language.
Bidyara
Southern Maric
Native toQueensland, Australia
RegionBetween Tambo and Augathella; Warrego and Langlo Rivers
EthnicityBidjara, Kongabula, Maranganji, Gunya, Wadja, Gayiri, Wadjalang, Wadjabangai, Iningai, Mandandanji, Gunggari, Koamu (Kooma), Ganulu, Nguri, Yagalingu
Extinctby 1987[1]
Some people might know a few words (2008)[2]
Revivalrevival movements for Bidjara and Gunggari[3]
Dialects
  • Bidjara (& Gungabula)
  • Marrganj (Margany/Mardigan) & Gunja (Gunya)
  • Wadjingu (Wadjigu = Wadja)
  • Gayiri (Kairi)
  • Wadjalang (Dharawala)
  • Wadjabangayi
  • Yiningayi
  • Yanjdjibara
  • Kogai (Mandandanyi/Mandandanjdji, Gunggari/Kunggari, Guwamu/Kooma)
  • Ganulu
  • Nguri[4]
  • Yagalingu?
Language codes
ISO 639-3Variously:
bym – Bidyara
gyy – Gunya
gyf – Gungabula
zmc – Margany
wdu – Wadjigu
zmk – Mandandanyi
gwu – Guwamu
kgl – Kunggari
wdy – Wadjabangayi
xyb – Yandjibara
ygi – Yiningayi
Glottologsout2765
AIATSIS[2]E37 Bidjara, D38 Kogai, D42 Margany, E39 Wadjigu, E44 Gayiri, D45 Wadjalang / Dharawala;[5] Iningay;[6] Yandjibara;[7] Ganulu;[8] Nguri;[9] Yagalingu /Wadjaninga[10]

Bidjara, also spelt Bidyara or Pitjara, is an Australian Aboriginal language. In 1980, it was spoken by 20 elders in Queensland between the towns of Tambo and Augathella, or the Warrego and Langlo Rivers. There are many dialects of the language, including Gayiri and Gunggari. Some of them are being revitalised and are being taught in local schools in the region.[3] The various dialects are not all confirmed or agreed by linguists.

  1. ^ Bidyara at Ethnologue (18th ed., 2015) (subscription required)
    Gunya at Ethnologue (18th ed., 2015) (subscription required)
    Gungabula at Ethnologue (18th ed., 2015) (subscription required)
    Margany at Ethnologue (18th ed., 2015) (subscription required)
    Wadjigu at Ethnologue (18th ed., 2015) (subscription required)
    Mandandanyi at Ethnologue (18th ed., 2015) (subscription required)
    (Additional references under 'Language codes' in the information box)
  2. ^ a b E37 Bidjara at the Australian Indigenous Languages Database, Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies  (see the info box for additional links)
  3. ^ a b Cite error: The named reference :1 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  4. ^ Breen (1973, 1981), cited in RMW Dixon (2002), Australian Languages: Their Nature and Development, p xxxiii. Some additional names were apparently not distinct dialects.
  5. ^ L39 Wadjabangai at the Australian Indigenous Languages Database, Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies
  6. ^ L41 Iningay at the Australian Indigenous Languages Database, Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies
  7. ^ L44 Yandjibara at the Australian Indigenous Languages Database, Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies
  8. ^ E64 Ganulu at the Australian Indigenous Languages Database, Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies
  9. ^ D46 Nguri at the Australian Indigenous Languages Database, Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies
  10. ^ E43 Yagalingu at the Australian Indigenous Languages Database, Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies