Tangkic languages

(Redirected from Tankic languages)

The Tangkic languages form a small language family of Australian Aboriginal languages spoken in northern Australia.

Tangkic
Geographic
distribution
southeastern coast of the Gulf of Carpentaria, Wellesley Islands
Linguistic classificationMacro-Pama–Nyungan?
  • Greater Pama–Nyungan?
    • Tangkic
Subdivisions
Language codes
Glottologtang1340
Garawa and Tangkic (green). Tangkic lies along the coast.

The Tangkic languages are Lardil (Leerdil) and its special register Damin, Kayardild, and Yukulta (also known as Ganggalida or Nyangga). Of these Lardil is quite divergent, while Yukulta and Kayardild are mutually intelligible.

The extinct and poorly attested Minkin language may have been part of the Tangkic family.[1]

Vocabulary

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Capell (1942) lists the following basic vocabulary items:[2]

English Laːdil Neːmarang
man jugadbaɖa bidinaŋga
woman binŋin magudaŋga
head lälga nälda
eye gɔa miːbul
nose njulda girga
mouth Lämin wara
tongue djalda Lämin djärŋana
wallaby gandjin magurag
crow waːga djaɖag
sun warga wargu
moon giɖigiɽ waldar
fire njuda ŋida
smoke ḏuŋal wadu
water ŋoga ŋogo
raft wälba wälbu
paddle bilir bilir
father ganda ganda
mother ŋama
sky, above vägiri, walman warmu
ground duLga duLga
wind wanŋal warma
snake jälbur jälbur
food vɛnɛ wulaŋ
ashes bɔrbo galar
sea mäla mala
whirlwind warguḏulɛn danamaŋ

References

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  1. ^ Bowern, Claire. 2011. "How Many Languages Were Spoken in Australia?", Anggarrgoon: Australian languages on the web, December 23, 2011 (corrected February 6, 2012)
  2. ^ Capell, Arthur. 1941-1942, 1942-1943. Languages of Arnhem Land, North Australia. Oceania 12: 364-392, 13: 24-51.