Kalkatungu 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]
| Kalkatungu | |
|---|---|
| Native to | Australia |
| Region | Mount Isa area, Queensland |
| Ethnicity | Kalkadoon people |
| Extinct | (date missing) |
Pama–Nyungan
| |
| Kalkutungu Sign Language | |
| Language codes | |
| ISO 639-3 | ktg |
| Glottolog | kalk1246 |
| AIATSIS[1] | G13 |
| ELP | Kalkatungu |
| This article contains IPA phonetic symbols. Without proper rendering support, you may see question marks, boxes, or other symbols instead of Unicode characters. For an introductory guide on IPA symbols, see Help:IPA. | |
Classification edit
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 edit
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 edit
Vowels edit
Consonants edit
| Peripheral | Laminal | Apical | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bilabial | Velar | Palatal | Dental | Alveolar | Retroflex | |
| Stop | p | k | c | t̪ | t | ʈ |
| Nasal | m | ŋ | ɲ | n̪ | n | ɳ |
| Lateral | ʎ | l̪ | l | ɭ | ||
| Vibrant | r | |||||
| Approximant | w | j | ɻ | |||
It is not clear if the vibrant is a trill or a tap.
Stress edit
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.
Kalkatungu Sign Language edit
Kendon (1988) shows that Kalkatungu also had a developed signed form of their language.[8]
References edit
- ^ 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.
- ^ 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 edit
- Soraya Johnston digital story, State Library of Queensland. Digital story discussing Kalkadoon language