4.5.5 NYANGUMARTA
Location: Eighty Mile Beach from Cape Keraudren to Anna Plains; inland about 200 miles (Tindale).
Sandy Brown (p.c.) says that Nyangumarta used to be further inland until white settlement days, and that Karajarri was spoken along the coast in the region described by Tindale.
1. Names of the language and different spellings that have been used:
Ibarga
Iparuka
Kundal (Tindale)
NaNamada
Nangumada
Nangumurdu
Ngolibardu
Ngulipartu
Njangumarda (Capell)
Nungoo'murdoo
Nya'umada
NyaNumarda
Nyangamada
Nyangumarda (O'Grady)
Nyangumarda
Nyangumata
2. Classification of the language:
O'Grady, Voegelin and Voegelin (1966): Marrngu
Identification codes:AIATSIS:A.61
Capell (1963):A.30
Oates (1975):57.1a
3. Dialects of the language:
O'Grady says that the northern Nyangumarta are called Wanyarli by the southern ones and that the southern Nyangumarta are called Ngulibardu (Ngulipartu) by the northern ones.
Geytenbeek (1987) says that the southern dialect is called Walyirli (from walyi, the word for shoulder, due to their punishment practice of spearing the shoulder or the thigh). Wanyurla may be the Ngarla word for 'stranger'. This dialect may represent only one family group, and may not refer explicitly to a language variety.
Geytenbeek (1988 p.c. ) notes that there may have been several 'horde-alects' that broadly conform to a coastal/ inland distinction: Ngurlipartu, from south and east of Lake Wakarlikarli, next to the Warnman; Warrjawa and Wakarlikarli, north and north-west of Lake Wakarlikarli; the Kurlarrapurlu, near to the Karajarri; he has recorded the name of the 'Ngartu', but has no more information on them.
According to Tindale, the northern dialect is Kundal, the southern one is Iparuka. Tindale lists Ngolibardu (Ngulipartu) as a separate language that was taken over by the Iparuka.
4. Present number and distribution of speakers:
Today Nyangumarta is spoken on all Aboriginal communities from Yandeyarra Station to La Grange, and also at Port Hedland, Marble Bar and Broome.
Oates (1975): 700-800 speakers in communities between Port Hedland and Broome.
Hoard and O'Grady (1976): some 900 speakers of both dialects.
Geytenbeek (1988 p.c.) says Brian and Helen Geytenbeek's survey of 1972-73 found 520 Nyangumarta speakers.
5. People who have worked intensively to record the language:
Malcolm Brown (1970s)
Brian and Helen Geytenbeek (since mid 1970s)
Fr Kevin McKelson (since 1950s)
Geoffrey O'Grady (1950s)
Janet Sharp (since early 1980s)
6. Practical spelling system:
The same system has been adopted by the Strelley schools and La Grange and by Geytenbeek.
7. Word lists:
Hoard and O'Grady (1976:51) report that Petri and Odermann-Petri have a dictionary of some 6,000 entries, but there is no other reference to this work.
Bates (n.d.95, n.d. 106)
Capell (1940a)
Davidson (1932)
Geytenbeek (1991)
Geytenbeek and Geytenbeek (1973)
Hale, Bradman, Bucknall, Brown (n.d.)
McKelson (1968b, n.d.d)
McKelson (1989)
O'Grady (1959)
O'Grady (1968)
Odermann (1957, 1958)
8. Texts:
Brandenstein and Thomas (1974)
Catholic Church (1974)
Geytenbeek and Geytenbeek (1972-73)
McKelson (n.d.d)
O'Grady (1961,1967a,1967c,1967i,1967g,1967f)
O'Grady and O'Grady (1964)
Woodman (1980).
9. Grammar or sketch grammar:
McKelson (n.d.d)
McLoughlin (1977)
O'Grady (1959,1964)
Sharp (1985)
10. Language programmes:
The Strelley schools run a bilingual programme in Nyangumarta.
The La Grange school uses Northern Nyangumarta in its programme.
11. Language learning material:
McKelson (1968b)
Strelley Aboriginal Community School (1976b)
Strelley Community (n.d.)
Strelley Literacy Production Centre (1978)
12. Literature in the language:
Strelley Aboriginal Community School has many literacy texts, but they are not generally available.
Rurla (1977)
Strelley Aboriginal Community School (1976a,1976b)
Wangka Maya (Pilbara Aboriginal Language Centre) (1989-90)
13. Material available:
(see section 5 (Bibliography) for annotations on the following works)
Anonymous (1956) 'The Abos have a word for it: a white man set out to learn exactly what they were saying', pp.23-26 in People, 30 May 1956.
Archangeli, D. and D. Pulleyblank (1986) The content and structure of phonological representation, ts.
Archangeli, D. (n.d.) The OCP and Nyangumarda buffer vowels, MS.
Bates, D.M. (n.d.95) Native vocabularies - Pilbara Magisterial District, typescript copy of MS, Section 12, 2D, ANL-MS365-48/25-46.
Bates, D.M. (n.d.106) Native vocabularies - Roebourne, Gascoyne, Ashburton, De Grey, ts ANL- MS 365 Box 48-51.
Brandenstein, C.G. von (1965a) 'Ein Abessiv im gemein-Australischen', pp.646-662 in Anthropos, Vol.60.
Brandenstein, C.G. von (1965d) Interim report (4) [to AIAS] on fieldwork in north-west Western Australia, 15 August-15 September 1965.
Brandenstein, C.G. von (1967c) 'The language situation in the Pilbara - past and present', pp.1-20 in Papers in Australian linguistics, No.2, Pacific Linguistics, A-11, Canberra.
Brandenstein, C.G. von (1969g) The diaries of C.G. von Brandenstein, 1964-1969, MS.
Brandenstein, C.G. von (1970e) 'Portuguese loan-words in Aboriginal languages of north-western Australia (a problem of Indo-European and Finno-Ugrian comparative linguistics)', pp.617-650 in S.A. Wurm and D.C. Laycock, (eds) Pacific linguistic studies in honour of Arthur Capell, Pacific Linguistics, C-13, Canberra.
Brandenstein, C.G. von (n.d.e) List of audiotaped material, ts.
Brandenstein, C.G. von and A.P. Thomas (1974) Taruru: Aboriginal song poetry from the Pilbara, Rigby, Adelaide.
Brown, M. (1976) A phonological and grammatical write-up of the language Njangumarta as spoken by the Aboriginal people of Strelley Station, WA, ts.
Brown, M.(1982) 'Nyangumarta vernacular literacy programme', pp.16-18 in Aboriginal Languages Association Newsletter 4.
Butcher, A. (1990) [Banyjima, Nyangumarta and Yindjibarndi phonologically balanced word lists] (audiotape and ts).
Capell, A. (1940a) 'The classification of languages in North and North-west Australia', pp.241-272, in Oceania, Vol.10, no.3; pp.404-433, Vol.10, no.4.
Capell, A. (1962a) 'Language and social distinction in Aboriginal Australia', pp.514-522 in Mankind, Vol.5, no.12.
Capell, A. (1962b) Some linguistic types in Australia, Oceania Linguistic Monograph no.7.
Capell, A. (1970) 'Linguistic change in Australia', pp.240-255 in A.R. Pilling and R.A. Waterman, (eds) Diprotodon to detribalization, Michigan State University Press, East Lansing.
Catholic Church (1974) Liturgy and ritual. Our father, Hail Mary (adapted and translated by K. McKelson), ts.
Clynes, A. (1987) Nyangumada: aspects of phonology and morphology, ts.
Davidson, D.S. (1932) Comparative vocabularies of 19 Western Australian languages, ts.
Davidson, D.S. (1947) 'Footwear of the Australian Aborigines: environment vs. cultural determination', pp.114-123 in Southwestern Journal of Anthropology, Vol.3, no.2.
Day, A. (1957) Nyangumarda, Wanman, Kardutjara, Pawututjara and Mandjildjara lexical test lists, MS.
Epeling, P.J. (1961) 'A note on Njamal kin-term usage', pp.152-159 in Man, Vol.61.
Geytenbeek, B.B. (1972-78) Nyangumarda texts, ts.
Geytenbeek, B.B. (1977) 'Looking at English through Nyangumarda-coloured spectacles', pp.34-50 in E. Brumby and E. Vászolyi, (eds) Language problems and Aboriginal education, ATEP, Mount Lawley College of Advanced Education, Perth.
Geytenbeek, B.B. (1977b) [Phonology of Nyangumarta], MS.
Geytenbeek, B.B. (1987) Notes on the name 'Wanyarli' as used for the coastal dialect of the Nyangumarta language, ts.
Geytenbeek, B.B. (1991) Interim working copy of the Nyangumarta - English dictionary, ts.
Geytenbeek, B.B. (n.d.) Tayapiti.
Geytenbeek, B.B. and H. Geytenbeek (1972-73) Nyangumarda fieldnotes, MS.
Geytenbeek, B.B. and H. Geytenbeek (1973) [Nyangumarda, Nyamal and Nyiyapali word lists], Marble Bar and Twelve Mile Reserve, WA, 4 pts, MS.
Geytenbeek. B.B. and H. Geytenbeek (1980) Nyangumarda fieldnotes, 1976-79, MS.
Geytenbeek, B.B., H. Geytenbeek and J. Marsh (1971) Report on the survey of languages in the Port Hedland area, Summer Institute of Linguistics, [Darwin].
Geytenbeek, H. (1980) 'Continuous and discontinuous noun phrases in Nyangumarda', pp.23-35 in Papers in Australian linguistics No.12, Pacific Linguistics, A-58, Canberra.
Geytenbeek, H. (1982) 'Nyangumarta Kinship: a woman's viewpoint', pp.19-31 in S. Hargrave, (ed.) Language and Culture, Work papers of SIL-AAB, B-8, SIL/AAB, Darwin.
Geytenbeek, H. (1988) 'Case Relationships in Nyangumarta', pp.253-274 in Papers in Australian linguistics, No.17, Pacific Linguistics, A-71, Canberra.
Hale, K.L. (1968) 'Review of Nyangumarta grammar, by G.N. O'Grady', pp.174-181 in Language, Vol.44.
Hale, M., F. Bradman, G.Bucknall and M.Brown (n.d.) Nyangumarta Muwarr: a dictionary for the Aboriginal language Nyangumarta, MS.
Hoard, J.E. and G.N. O'Grady (1976) 'Nyangumarda phonology: a preliminary report', pp.51-77 in R.M.W. Dixon, (ed.) Grammatical categories in Australian languages, AIAS, Canberra.
Jones, T.A. (1965) 'Australian Aboriginal music: the Elkin collection's contribution toward an overall picture', pp.286-374 in R.M. Berndt, and C.H. Berndt, (eds) Aboriginal man in Australia, Angus and Robertson, Sydney.
Klokeid, T.J. (1967b) [Songs recorded at Marble Bar].
McCarthy, F.D. (1961) 'The Story of the Mungan or Bagadjimbiri brothers', pp.420-425 in Mankind, Vol.5, no.10.
McConvell, P. (1982) 'Supporting the two-way school', pp.60-76 in J.Bell, (ed.) Language planning for Australian Aboriginal languages.
McGlew, P. and L. Hilton (1987) Plant use of the Nyangumarta people of North-Western Australia, Thesis, Victorian College of Agriculture and Horticulture, Burnley Campus.
McKelson, K.R. (1968a) [Letter to AIAS], MS.
McKelson, K.R. (1968b) Teach yourself Nyangumada, ts.
McKelson, K.R. (1977b) Basic Nyangumada, ts.
McKelson, K.R. (1979) 'Nadya Nadya country', pp.214-223 in R.M. Berndt and C.H. Berndt, (eds) Aborigines of the West: their past and their present, UWA Press, Perth.
McKelson, K.R. (1981a) 'Notes for staff on La Grange Mission: kinship', pp.3-17 in Nelen Yubu, Vol.7.
McKelson, K.R. (1983) [Languages spoken at La Grange, Fitzroy Crossing, Broome, Port Hedland areas of Western Australia], ts.
McKelson, K.R. (1989) Topical vocabulary in Northern Nyangumarta, Nulungu Catholic College, Broome.
McKelson, K.R. (n.d.a) A comparative study of pronouns, ts.
McKelson, K.R. (n.d.d) Studies in Njangumada, MS.
McLoughlin, P. (1977) A grammatical sketch of Nyangumarda, ts.
Moyle, A.M. (n.d.) Songs (audiotape).
O'Grady, G.N. (1956) 'A secret language of Western Australia - a note', pp.158-159 in Oceania, Vol.26.
O'Grady, G.N. (1957) 'Statistical investigation into an Australian language' pp.283-312 in Oceania, Vol. 27.
O'Grady, G.N. (1959) Significance of the circumcision boundary in Western Australia, BA thesis, University of Sydney.
O'Grady, G.N. (1960b) 'More on lexicostatics', pp.338-339 in Current Anthropology, Vol.1, no.4.
O'Grady, G.N. (1960c) 'New concepts in Nyangumarda: some data on linguistic acculturation', pp.1-6 in Anthropological Linguistics, Vol.2, no.1.
O'Grady, G.N. (1961) Transcript of audiotapes in Ngulipartu, ts.
O'Grady, G.N. (1964) Nyangumarta grammar, Oceania Linguistic Monographs No.9, Sydney.
O'Grady, G.N. (1967a) [Audiotape recordings from Carnarvon, La Grange, Marble Bar and De Grey River area] (audiotape).
O'Grady, G.N (1967c) Ngulipatu, Nyamal, Nyangumata [Transcripts of audiotapes], ts.
O'Grady, G.N. (1967f) Nyangumarda, Bayunga, Wariyangka, Targari [Transcripts of audiotapes], ts.
O'Grady, G.N. (1967g) Nyangumarda, Ngarla, Nyamal, Warnman. [Transcripts of audiotapes], ts.
O'Grady, G.N. (1967i) Talandji, Yinggarda, Warrienga, Purduna, Warnman, Nyangumarda. [Transcripts of audiotapes], ts.
O'Grady, G.N. (1968) Notes, MS.
O'Grady, G.N. (1970) 'Nyangumarda conjugations', pp.845-864 in S.A. Wurm and D.C. Laycock, (eds) Pacific linguistic studies in honour of Arthur Capell, Pacific Linguistics, C-13, Canberra.
O'Grady, G.N. (n.d.f) Songs (audiotape).
O'Grady, G.N. and K.A. Mooney (1973) 'Nyangumarda kinship terminology', pp.1-23 in Anthropological Linguistics, Vol.15, no.1.
O'Grady, G, N. and A. O'Grady (1964) Songs of Aboriginal Australia and Torres Strait, Indianna University - Archives of Folk and Primitive Music, Ethnomusicological Series.
O'Grady, G.N., C.F. Voegelin and F.M. Voegelin (1966) 'Languages of the world: Indo-Pacific fascicle 6', pp.1-197 in Anthropological Linguistics, Vol.8, no.2.
Odermann, G. (1957) 'Das Eigentum in Nordwest-Australien [Property in North-West Australia]', pp.30-97 in Annali Lateranensi, Vol.21.
Odermann, G. (1958) 'Heilkunde der Njangomada, Nordwest Australia', pp.411-428 in Paideuma, Vol.6.
Palmer, K. (1977b) 'Myth, ritual and rock art', pp.38-49 in Archaeology and Physical Anthropology in Oceania, Vol.12, No.1.
Palmer, K. (1977d) Tradition, change and culture contact: Aboriginal oral traditions from the north-west of Western Australia, ts.
Palmer, K. and C. McKenna (1978) Somewhere between black and white, MacMillan, Melbourne.
Peile, A.R. (1965c) [Letter to AIAS], Beagle Bay Mission, 27 June 1965.
Petri, H. (1966) 'Dynamik im Stammesleben Nordwest-Australiens', pp.152-168 in Paideuma, Vol.6, no.3.
Petri, H. (1967) 'Wandji-Kuranggara, ein mythischer Traditionskomplex aus der westichen Wuste Australiens (Wandji-Kuranggara, a complex of mythical tradition from the Western Desert of Australia)', pp.1-34 in Baessler-Archiv, Vol.15.
Petri, H. (1980) 'Pre-Initiation stages among Aboriginal groups of North-West Australia', pp.224-233 in R.M. Berndt and C.H. Berndt, (eds) Aborigines of the West: their past and their present, UWA Press, Perth.
Piddington, R. (ed.) (1960) An introduction to social anthropology, Vol.1, Oliver and Boyd, Edinburgh.
Rennison, J.R. (1986-87) 'Tridirectional vowel features and vowel harmony' in Folia Linguistica.
Rurla (1977) Nyungu warran ngalypa, Milingimbi Literature Production Centre, Milingimbi.
Schebeck, B. (1972) Les systèmes phonologiques des langues australiennes, PhD thesis, L'Université René Descartes.
Sharp, J. (1976) [Primers in Njangumarta.] 11 volumes. Strelley Community School, Strelley.
Sharp, J. (1985) Nyangumarta (Ngulipartu) grammar: a brief description, MS.
Sharp, J. (1986) Spreading in Nyangumarta - a non-linear account, ts.
Strelley Aboriginal Community School (1976a) A description of the school, ts.
Strelley Aboriginal Community School (1976b) Primers in Njangumarta.
Strelley Community (n.d.) Mikurrunya.
Strelley Literacy Production Centre (1978) Nyangumarta language learning.
Stuart, D. (1959) Yandy, Georgian House, Melbourne.
Tindale, N.B. (1952-54) Field journal of Norman B.Tindale: 18th expedition under the auspices of Board for Anthropological Research, University of Adelaide and the University of California at Los Angeles, 1952-1954 (ts and MS).
Tsunoda, T. (n.d.) Comments on K. McKelson's 'A comparative study of pronouns', ts.
van der Hulst, H. and N. Smith (1985) The theoretical consequences of umlaut in Djingili, Nyangumarda and Warlpiri, MS.
Wangka Maya (Pilbara Aboriginal Language Centre) (1989-90) Aboriginal languages of the Pilbara [Banyjima, Kariyarra, Manjiljarra, Ngarla, Ngarluma, Nyamal, Nyangumarta, Yindjibarndi], Pilbara Aboriginal Language Centre, Port Hedland.
Woodman, D. (1980) Purlpi marlu nyungu wirrirni junka God-ju (Long ago God made this earth),WBT, Darwin.
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