Marrgu language explained

Marrgu
Nativename:Yaako
Extinct:1 speaker reported in 2000; 2 reported to partly understand it in 2008
Ref:aiatsis
Familycolor:Australian
Fam1:Marrku–Wurrugu?
Iso3:mhg
Aiatsis:N45
Glotto:marg1251
Glottorefname:Margu
Map:Marrgu language.png
Mapcaption:Marrgu language (purple arrow), among other non-Pama–Nyungan languages (grey)
Map2:Marrgu language (closeup).png
Mapcaption2:Closeup

Marrgu (Marrku) is a recently extinct Aboriginal language of northern Australia. Additional names include Ajokoot, Croker Island, Raffles Bay, Terrutong (Terutong), Yaako (Jaako, Yako).

Classification

Marrgu had been assumed to be an Iwaidjan language like its neighbours. However, Evans (2006) has produced evidence that it was a language isolate, with possible connection to the extinct and poorly attested Wurrugu. This connection however is merely theoretical.

Phonology

Consonant inventory

Marrgu consonants[1] !rowspan=2
PeripheralLaminalApical
BilabialVelarPalatalDentalAlveolarRetroflex
Plosivep k c t ʈ
Nasalm ŋ ɲ n ɳ
Approximantw ɣ j ɻ
Trillr
Flapɽ
Lateral(ʎ)l ɭ
Lateral flapɺ

Vowels

Marrgu had the three-vowel (/a/, /i/, /u/) system typical of Iwaidjan languages (Evans 1998).

FrontBack
Highpronounced as /ink/pronounced as /ink/
Lowpronounced as /ink/

References

Notes and References

  1. Evans, Nicholas (1998). "Iwaidja mutation and its origins". In Anna Siewierska & Jae Jung Song. Case, Typology and Grammar: In honor of Barry J. Blake. Amsterdam/Philadelphia: John Benjamins Publishing Company. pp. 115–149.