Gambara Gamu Biyu KuKu Yalanji Language

KuKu-Yalanji

The KuKu-Yalanji Language is spoken by approximately 500-600 speakers on the Coast of South-Eastern Cape York between Cooktown and Mossman and inland to Chillagoe.

The following KuKu-Yalanji language words are included on the Gambara Gamu Biyu body chart poster use the language pen to hear and practice saying the words.

English KuKu Yalanji

Arm daki

Belly waral

Blood ju-ju

Bottom / bum bun-ni

Chest du-mu

Chin bari

Ear milka

Elbow juril

Eyebrow / eyelash nyinki

Eyes myil

Face walu

Foot jina

Finger / hand mara

Forehead munju

Hair malka-bu

English KuKu Yalanji

Head dukul

Heart wudal

Hip waba

Kidney ngun-gum-urr

Lip yimbi

Liver jiba

Mouth ngan-dal

Neck jakay

Shoulder binda

Skin yulban

Teeth ditha

Thumb mula

Toes durra

Tongue nyabil

Wrist jinbar

Learn more about KuKu-Yalanji!

Watch a digital story from Wujal Wujal Adventures at Thompsons Creek featuring KuKu Yalanji language: http://vimeo.com/66614532

Further information

To discover more about the Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander languages on the Body Chart, contact your local Library or Indigenous Knowledge Centre. The following page provides details on additional sources of information regarding the KuKu Yalanji language.

http://vimeo.com/66614532

References and Further Reading

Selection of resources on KuKu Yalanji language available through State Library; some of these may also be available in your local Library.

Curr, E. M. (1887) The Australian Race: its origins, languages, customs, place of landing in Australia and the routes by which it spread itself over that continent. John Ferres Government Printer: Melbourne. RBF 572.994 cur

Hershberger, H. and Hershberger, R. (1982) Kuku Yalanji Dictionary. Darwin: Summer Institute of Linguistics, Australian Aborigines Branch.Q 499.15 KUK

Holmer, N. (1988) Notes on Some Queensland Languages. Australian National University: Canberra. J 499.15 HOL

Howitt, A.W. (reprint) (1996) The Native Tribes of South-East Australia. Australian Studies Press: Canberra.[Available online through SLQ]

Oates, W. (1962) Gugu Yalanji and Wik Munkan Language Studies. Canberra : Australian Institute of Aboriginal Studies. Q 499.15 guy

Patz, E. (2002) A grammar of the Kuku Yalanji language of North Queensland. Canberra : Research School of Pacific and Asian Studies, Australian National University. J 499.15 PAT

Community Organisations

There are several local community groups working with KuKu Yalanji language contact the Indigenous Knowledge Centre at Wujal Wujal.

Language Centre

This centre looks after languages within North Queensland from Cooktown to Sarina and West to the Gulf.

North Queensland Aboriginal Regional Aboriginal Corporation Language Centre (Cairns): Serbian Cultural Centre Building, 73 Greenslopes Street, Edge Hill, Cairns. Q. 4870. [PO Box 266 North Cairns. Q. 4870]

Phone: (07) 4053 4698 or (07) 4053 6018 Fax: (07) 4032 3017 Email: nqraclc@bigpond.com

State Library of Queensland

For further information on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander languages at the State Library of Queensland, please contact:

Queensland Memory, State Library of Queensland

Stanley Place, South Brisbane Qld. 4101.

PO Box 3488, South Brisbane Qld. 4101.

Telephone: (07) 3840 7666 Fax: (07) 3842 9126

SLQ Indigenous Languages Webpages: www.slq.qld.gov.au/resources/atsi/languages

This initiative, as part of State Library of Queenslands Indigenous Language Project, is supported by funding from the Indigenous Languages Support Program (ILS) from the Australian Governments

Attorney-Generals Department, Ministry for the Arts.

mailto:nqraclc@bigpond.comhttp://www.slq.qld.gov.au/resources/atsi/languages