Kugu Nganhcara language

Kugu-Muminh (Wik-Muminh), also known as Kugu- or Wik-Nganhcara (Wikngenchera), is a Paman language spoken on the Cape York Peninsula of Queensland, Australia, by several of the Wik peoples. There are multiple dialects, only two of which are still spoken: Kugu-Muminh itself, and Kugu-Uwanh.

Kugu-Muminh
Wik-Muminh
Native toAustralia
RegionCape York Peninsula, Queensland
EthnicityKugu Nganhcara, Wik Iyanh
Native speakers
30 (2005)[1]
Dialects
  • Muminh
  • Uwanh
  • Mu'inh
  • Ugbanh
  • Yi'anh
  • Iiyanh
Language codes
ISO 639-3Variously:
xmh – Kuku-Muminh
uwa – Kuku-Uwanh
xmq – Kuku-Mangk? (unattested)
xmp – Kuku-Mu’inh
ugb – Kuku-Ugbanh
wua – Kugu-Nganhcara
wij – Wik-Iiyanh
Glottologkuku1287  Kuku
wikn1246  Wikngenchera
wiki1239  Wik-Iiyanh
AIATSIS[1]Y59
ELPKugu-Nganhcara
Wikngenchera is classified as Severely Endangered by the UNESCO Atlas of the World's Languages in Danger
Coordinates: 14°4′S 141°43′E / 14.067°S 141.717°E / -14.067; 141.717

Phonology

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Consonant inventory[2]
Bilabial Alveolar Dental Palatal Velar Glottal
Plosive voiceless p t c k ʔ
voiced b d ɟ ɡ
Nasal m n ɲ ŋ
Lateral l
Tap ɾ
Glide w j
Vowel inventory[2]
Front Back
High i u
Mid e o
Low a

References

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  1. ^ a b Y59 Kugu-Muminh at the Australian Indigenous Languages Database, Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies
  2. ^ a b Smith, Ian, and Steve Johnson. “Kugu Nganhcara.” In Handbook of Australian Languages, edited by R. M. W. Dixon and Barry J. Blake, 5:357–507. Melbourne, Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2000.

Smith, Ian and Johnson, Steve, 1986. Sociolinguistic patterns in an unstratified society: The patrilects of Kugu Nganhcara. Journal of the Atlantic Provinces Linguistic Association 8:29–43.