Kalkatungu language
Kalkatungu (also Kalkutungu, Galgadungu, Kalkutung, Kalkadoon, or Galgaduun) is an extinct Australian Aboriginal language formerly spoken around the area of Mount Isa and Cloncurry, Queensland.[1][2]
| Kalkatungu | |
|---|---|
| Native to | Australia |
| Region | Mount Isa area, Queensland |
| Ethnicity | Kalkadoon people |
| Extinct | (date missing) |
Pama–Nyungan
| |
| Kalkutungu Sign Language | |
| Language codes | |
| ISO 639-3 | ktg |
| Glottolog | kalk1246 |
| AIATSIS[1] | G13 |
| ELP | Kalkatungu |
Classification
Apart from the closely related language, Wakabunga, Kalkatungu is sometimes grouped with Yalarnnga as the Kalkatungic (Galgadungic) branch of the Pama–Nyungan family. O'Grady et al.,[3] however, classify it as the sole member of the "Kalkatungic group" of the Pama-Nyungan family, and Dixon (2002)[4] regards Kalkatungic as an areal group.
Revival
Emeritus Professor Barry Blake, Sheree Blackley[5] and others have revived the language based on recordings, written grammars and personal memories. Robert Ah Wing, assisted by Uncle Arthur Peterson[6] is also active in this field. Often, emphasis is placed on belonging, passing on elements of language to younger Kalkatungu.
Phonology
Stress
Like in English, word stress is realised in terms of loudness. Sentence stress is also organised similar to English with the first syllable in the final word of a phonological phrase getting the main stress. (tonic stress) Moreover, if there are more than two words in a phrase, the first syllable of the first word receives more stress than the non-final words.
Vocabulary
Below is a basic vocabulary list from Blake (1981).[8]
English Kalkatungu man yurru woman marabai mother mardu father kurla head kaṉṯa eye miḻṯi nose ityintyi ear iṉṯa mouth aṉṯa tongue marli tooth ardiṉḏa hand magaṯi breast mimi stomach putu urine kurkai faeces unu thigh nguḻṯu foot ṯapandu bone kunka blood ultyi dog ṯugu snake ṯuat kangaroo matyumba possum mirramba fish wakari spider kubu mosquito migara emu udingat eaglehawk uḻuyan crow waagarla sun pintyamu moon tuṉḏal star tyirka stone ndia water kuu camp muu fire utyan smoke purlu food maa meat adi stand nanbi sit ini see na- go ingga get mani hit, kill ḻai I ngai you nyini one ayat two lyuwadi
Kalkatungu Sign Language
Kendon (1988) shows that Kalkatungu also had a developed signed form of their language.[9]
References
- G13 Kalkatungu at the Australian Indigenous Languages Database, Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies
-
This Wikipedia article incorporates text from Kalkatunga published by the State Library of Queensland under CC BY licence, accessed on 25 May 2022.
- O'Grady G.N, Voegelen C.F, Voegelen F.M (1966) Languages of the Indo-Pacific, Fascicle six, Anthropological linguistics 8/2
- Dixon, R. M. W. (2002). Australian Languages: Their Nature and Development. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
- "Sheree speaking Kalkutungu and English - Aboriginal Australians and Torres Strait Islanders" on YouTube
- "Robert Ah Wing - A Kalkatungu Language Story" on YouTube
-
- Blake, B. J. (1979). A Kalkatungu grammar. Canberra: Pacific Linguistics.
- Blake, Barry J. (1981). Australian Aboriginal languages: a general introduction. London: Angus & Robertson Publishers. ISBN 0-207-14044-8.
- Kendon, A. (1988) Sign Languages of Aboriginal Australia: Cultural, Semiotic and Communicative Perspectives. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
- Roth, Walter E. (1897). The expression of ideas by manual signs: a sign-language. (p. 273–301) Reprinted from Roth, W.E. Ethnological studies among the North-West-Central Queensland Aborigines. London, Queensland Agent-Generals Information Office, 1897; 71–90; Information collected from the following tribes; Pitta-Pitta, Boinji, Ulaolinya, Wonkajera, Walookera, Undekerebina, Kalkadoon, Mitakoodi, Woonamurra, Goa. Reprinted (1978) in Aboriginal sign languages of the Americas and Australia. New York: Plenum Press, vol. 2.
External links
- Soraya Johnston digital story, State Library of Queensland. Digital story discussing Kalkadoon language