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Bunuban | |
---|---|
Geographic distribution | around Fitzroy Crossing, Kimberley region |
Linguistic classification | One of the world's primary language families |
Subdivisions | |
Language codes | |
Glottolog | buna1274 |
![]() Bunuban languages (purple), among other non-Pama-Nyungan languages (grey) |
The Bunuban languages (or Bunaban) are a small family of Australian Aboriginal languages spoken in northern Australia. The family consists of two languages, Bunuba and Gooniyandi, which are related to each other to about the same degree that English is related to Dutch. Bunuba has about 100 speakers and Gooniyandi about 200. Both are endangered.
Capell (1940) lists the following basic vocabulary items:[1]
English | Bunaba | Gunian |
---|---|---|
man | gujɽäma | juwulu |
woman | wiːji | maŋo |
head | guŋgulu | walu |
eye | mulu | mɔːlu |
nose | wuɽa | manili |
mouth | djäläṉ | daŋandi |
tongue | djälän | djäläṉ |
stomach | giniŋa | djulu |
bone | gudju | gudji |
blood | gili | wari |
kangaroo | wandjiri | wandjiri |
opossum | läŋgur | djämbidjin |
emu | ganaŋandja | |
crow | waŋgaɳa | waŋgide |
fly | ŋirinji | ŋurinj |
sun | gawara | miri |
moon | gilimana | djaːlin |
fire | windäli | weandi |
smoke | bindja | wangi |
water | gaɽwa | gaːmba |