Gunwinyguan languages

Gunwinyguan
(dubious)
Geographic
distribution
Arnhem Land, northern Australia
Linguistic classificationArnhem (Macro-Gunwinyguan)
  • Gunwinyguan
Subdivisions
  • Gunwinggic
  • Dalabon
  • Jala
  • Jawoyn
  • Warrayic
Glottologgunw1250
Gunwinyguan languages (purple) and other Non-Pama–Nyungan languages (grey). Clockwise from the north, the 5 groups are Gunwinggic, Dalabon, Jala, Jawoyn + Warray, Uwinymil. The heavy black line outlines other languages sometimes included in Gunwinyguan (see Arnhem languages).

The Gunwinyguan languages (Gunwinjguan, Gunwingguan), also core Gunwinyguan or Gunwinyguan proper, are a possible branch of a large language family of Australian Aboriginal languages in Arnhem Land, northern Australia. The most populous language is Kunwinjku, with some 1500 speakers.

Gunwinyguan languages have a fortis–lenis contrast in plosive consonants. Lenis/short plosives have weak contact and intermittent voicing, while fortis/long plosives have full closure, a more powerful release burst, and no voicing.