Extinct Australian Aboriginal 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]
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
Vowels
Consonants
[7]
It is not clear if the vibrant is a trill or a tap.
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]
Kalkatungu Sign Language
Kendon (1988) shows that Kalkatungu also had a developed signed form of their language.[9]
References
- ^ a b 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
