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Wik-Ngathan language

Summary

Wik-Ngathan, or Wik-Iinjtjenj (Wik-Iinychanya), is a Paman language spoken on the Cape York Peninsula of Queensland, Australia, by the Wik-Ngathan people. It is closely related to the other Wik-Ngathan language, Wik-Ngatharr and more distantly to the other Wik languages. In 1981 there were 130 speakers.[3]

Wik-Ngathan
Wik-Iinjtjenj
Native toAustralia
RegionCape York Peninsula, Queensland
EthnicityWiknatanja, Wik-Kalkan
Native speakers
3 (2016 census)[1]
Dialects
Language codes
ISO 639-3Either:
wig – Wik Ngathan
wik – Wikalkan
Glottologwikn1245  Wik-Ngathana
AIATSIS[2]Y54 Wik Ngathan, Y51 Wik Ngatharr
ELPWik-Ngathana
Wik-Ngathan is classified as Definitely Endangered by the UNESCO Atlas of the World's Languages in Danger
Coordinates: 13°52′S 141°31′E / 13.867°S 141.517°E / -13.867; 141.517

A dictionary of Wik-Ngathan has been compiled by Peter Sutton.[4]

Phonology edit

Consonants edit

Peripheral Laminal Apical Glottal
Labial Velar Dental Palatal Alveolar
Plosive p k t̪ c t ʔ
Nasal m ŋ n̪ ɲ n
Lateral l
Tap/Trill ɾ ~ r
Approximant w j ɹ
  • Sounds /m, n̪, n, ŋ, l/ are heard as syllabic [m̩, n̩, n̪̩, ŋ̍, l̩] when following consonants. A schwa [ə] may also be heard between as well, and may be heard as [ʊ] within the context of bilabials and as [ɪ] within the context of palatal consonants.
  • /j/ can also be heard as [ɟ] when under extreme emphasis.
  • Nasals may also be pre-stopped when under extreme emphasis.
  • /l, n/ may be heard as pre-ploded-syllabic [ᵈl̩, ᵈn̩], when following consonants.

Vowels edit

Front Central Back
High i iː y yː u uː
Mid e eː o oː
Low a aː
  • The high-fronted vowel sounds /y, yː/, may vary in position to [œ, œː].[5]

References edit

  1. ^ "Census 2016, Language spoken at home by Sex (SA2+)". stat.data.abs.gov.au. ABS. Retrieved 30 October 2017.
  2. ^ Y54 Wik Ngathan at the Australian Indigenous Languages Database, Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies  (see the info box for additional links)
  3. ^ Ethnologue
  4. ^ Sutton, Peter (1995). Wik-Ngathan Dictionary.
  5. ^ Sutton, Peter John (1978). The Wik-Ngathana Language. Wik: Aboriginal Society, Territory and Language at Cape Keerweer, Cape York Peninsula, Australia: Brisbane: University of Queensland. pp. 234–241.