4.5.6 NYIYAPARLI
Location: Near Lake Disappointment.
Originally from near Lake Disappointment, since having moved westwards to Weedi Wolli Creek at about Mulga Downs Station (Brandenstein 1991 p.c.).
1. Names of the language and different spellings that have been used:
Iabali
Janari (Tindale)
Niabali (Tindale)
Njijabali (Capell)
Njijapali (Brandenstein 1973)
Nyiyabali (Oates)
Nyiyapali
2. Classification of the language:
O'Grady, Voegelin and Voegelin (1966): Ngayarda
Identification codes:AIATSIS:A.50
Capell (1963):A.31
Oates (1975):56.11
Brandenstein (1972c): Nyiyaparli is a dialect of Palyku and is a Western Desert language. He says that Nyiyaparli became the language of poetry among all tribal groups on the coast.
Tindale says the Nyiyapali were originally found to the east in the desert at Savory Creek, and the Jigalong River, but moved west in the late nineteenth century.
3. Dialects of the language:
Brandenstein (1972a,1972b): there is a secret language for Nyiyaparli, called Padupadu, of which he has recorded some texts and words. Further, Nyiyaparli, Nirrikudhu and Parndikurra are dialects spoken by the Palyku.
4. Present number and distribution of speakers:
Oates (1975): 50 speakers at Marble Bar and Roy Hill.
Brandenstein (1972c): 6 speakers at Marble Bar, Port Hedland and Roy Hill.
Geytenbeek (1988 p.c.) says Brian and Helen Geytenbeek's survey of 1972-73 found 60 Nyiyaparli speakers.
5. People who have worked intensively to record the language:
Brandenstein (1964-72)
6. Practical spelling system:
None
7. Word lists:
Bates (n.d.96,n.d.106)
Brandenstein (1972c)
Geytenbeek and Geytenbeek (1973)
8. Texts:
Brandenstein (1972c)
9. Grammar or sketch grammar:
None
10. Language programmes:
None
11. Language learning material:
None
12. Literature in the language:
None
13. Material available:
(see section 5 (Bibliography) for annotations on the following works)
Anonymous (n.d.j) Taped message from Ethel Creek Station to Mayikalong, a woman of the area who was in Perth in hospital.
Bates, D.M. (n.d.96) Native vocabularies - Pilbara Magisterial District, typescript copy of MS, Section 12, 2D, ANL-MS365-49/46-78.
Bates, D.M. (n.d.106) Native vocabularies - Roebourne, Gascoyne, Ashburton, De Grey, typescript copy of MS, Section 12, 2D, ANL-MS365 Box 48-51.
Brandenstein, C.G. von (1965b) General report on linguistic fieldwork, ts.
Brandenstein, C.G. von (1965e) Interim report (4) [to AIAS] on fieldwork in north-west Western Australia, 15 September-15 October 1965.
Brandenstein, C.G. von (1965f) Interim report (5) [to AIAS] on fieldwork in north-west Western Australia, 15 October-15 November 1965.
Brandenstein, C.G. von (1966b) Interim report (1) [to AIAS] on fieldwork in North-west Western Australia, 6-30 June 1966.
Brandenstein, C.G. von (1966d) Report [to AIAS] on fieldwork 1-31 July 1966.
Brandenstein, C.G. von (1966e) Report [to AIAS] on fieldwork in north-west Western Australia, 1-31 August, 1966.
Brandenstein, C.G. von (1967b) Linguistic routine report, September 1967.
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 (1968c) Interim report, 1968, no.2 (September-December).
Brandenstein, C.G. von (1968d) Linguistic routine report, October 1968.
Brandenstein, C.G. von (1969b) Linguistic routine report, January 1969.
Brandenstein, C.G. von (1969d) Report on fieldwork, ts.
Brandenstein, C.G. von (1969g) The diaries of C.G. von Brandenstein, 1964-1969, MS.
Brandenstein, C.G. von (1972a) Linguistic routine report, January 1972
Brandenstein, C.G. von (1972b) Linguistic routine report, [March 1972]
Brandenstein, C.G. von (1972c) Narratives from the north-west of Western-Australia in Nyiyaparli, language of the Palygu, Vol.1 - Narratives, Vol.2 - Songs, Vol.3 - Vocabulary (about 500 pages and an audio-disc).
Brandenstein, C.G. von (1972e) 'The symbolism of the north-western Australian zigzag design', pp.223-238 in Oceania, Vol.42, no.3.
Brandenstein, C.G. von (1982a) Eighty-eight grammar text sheets, exemplifying grammatical, lexical and phraseological diversities as well as links of 25 Aboriginal languages from Western Australia, ts.
Brandenstein, C.G. von (1982c) 'The secret respect language of the Pilbara', pp.33-52 in Innsbrucker Beiträge zur Kulturwissenschaft, Sonderheft 50.
Brandenstein, C.G. von (1989) The first Europeans on Australia's West Coast.
Brandenstein, C.G. von (n.d.b) General report on linguistic fieldwork, ts.
Brandenstein, C.G. von (n.d.c) List of audiotaped material, ts
Brandenstein, C.G. von (n.d.e) [Unpublished material].
Geytenbeek, B.B. and H. Geytenbeek (1973) [Nyangumarda, Nyamal and Nyiyapali word lists], Marble Bar and Twelve Mile Reserve, 4 pts, MS.
Palmer, K. (1977c) 'Stone arrangements and mythology', pp.33-38 in Mankind, Vol.11, no.1.
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