Yaygir language explained

Yaygir
States:Australia
Region:New South Wales
Ethnicity:Yaygir people
Extinct:1-10 (2018–2019)
Familycolor:Australian
Fam1:Pama–Nyungan
Fam2:Gumbaynggiric
Dia1:Yaegl (around mouth of the Clarence)
Dia2:Yirraygirr (upriver of Maclean)
Dia3:Yunggaya (around Ulmarra)
Iso3:xya
Aiatsis:E10
Glotto:yayg1236
Glottorefname:Yaygir

Yaygir, also spelt Yaygirr or Yegir, is an Australian Aboriginal language. It was spoken by the Yaygir people in the Northern Rivers region of New South Wales.

There are attempts to revitalise the language, including the publication of a dictionary in 2012.[1]

Phonology

Vowels

Vowels[2] !!Front!Central!Back
Highpronounced as /link/ pronounced as /link/pronounced as /link/ pronounced as /link/
Lowpronounced as /link/ pronounced as /link/

Consonants

Consonants
LabialAlveolar/
Retroflex
PalatalVelar
Plosivepronounced as /link/pronounced as /link/pronounced as /link/pronounced as /link/
Nasalpronounced as /link/pronounced as /link/pronounced as /link/pronounced as /link/
Lateralpronounced as /link/
Trillpronounced as /link/ pronounced as /link/
Approximantpronounced as /link/pronounced as /link/pronounced as /link/

Basic phrases

These are some basic phrases provided by the Muurrbay Aboriginal Language and Culture Co-operative.[3]

English Yaygir
Hello there! Yuu!
How are you? Ginagay?
Pleased to meet you. Ibirr ngina nyaagigu.
Are you feeling well? Ngindadi darhuyay mabu?
I’m feeling good. Darhuyay ngaya mabu.
I’m not feeling good. Yawiirray ngaya mabu.
I’m sick . Ngaya wigun.
Do well! Darhuya ngiinda!
Thank you / Congratulations. Darhuyay irriirring.
Goodbye / I’m going. Ngaya dyaarri yaarrang.
Dyaarri yaarrang.
Please. Irriiri-nda.
Please don’t. Wanaa-nda.
Yes. Ngii.
No. Wadyi.
What’s your name? Warha nguunu waambarr?
My name is ___. Ngaanyu waambarr ___.
I’ll see you! Ngadya ngina nyaawi!
I am Yaygirr. Adyi ngaya Yaygirr.
I live here at Maclean / Yamba. Adyi ngaya nginagandyi Birriin-da / Gulaany-dya.
Welcome to Maclean / Yamba. Darhuyay yarraanay Birriinda / Gulaany-dya.
This is Yaegl country. Adyi Yaygirr wadyarr.
I remember our ancestors from long ago. Adyi ngadya arraygi Yayarr yangidawu.
I remember my Elder men and Elder women. Adyi ngadya arraygi ngulungginy, ngamiiga.
This ends here. Wadyiiway.

Notes and References

  1. Book: Morelli, Steve . Yaygirr Dictionary and Grammar . 2012 . . Nambucca Heads . July 31, 2012 .
  2. Book: Morelli, Steve . Yaygirr Dictionary and Grammar . 2012 . . Nambucca Heads . December 12, 2023 .
  3. Web site: Yaygirr . Muurrbay Aboriginal Language and Culture Co-operative . 2024-03-25 .