Gamilaraay is member of the Wiradhuric group of the Pama-Nyungan languages, and is spoken in New South Wales in Australia. The name of the language is also spelled Kamilaroi, Camilaroi, Kamalarai or Gamilaroi, and is pronounced [ɡ̊aˌmilaˈɻaːj].
The language was first documented with a basic word list collected by Major Thomas Mitchell in 1832. It was studied by William Ridley, a missionary, between 1852 and 1856.
In 2006 there were 35 speakers, all of whom spoke a mixture of Gamilaraay and English. The language is currently taught in a few pre-schools and primary schools.
Download an alphabet chart for Gamilaraay (Excel)
Bigibila yanaawaanhi, biyaduul. Bulaarr badjin mindjarru yanaawaanhi. (Giirr yilaalu nhama mindjarru, bigibila dhayn gigilanhi.) Milandu mindjarrugu gayawiy barrandu nhama, dhinawan nhama. Giirr bundaanhi nhama dhinawan. Bamba ngaama bundaanhi. Bigibilagubala winangay, guwaay, "Aa, minya ngaama bundaanhi? Bamba nhama bundaanhi?"
A porcupine was walking along by himself. Two little weebills were walking along. (A long time ago the weebills* and porcupines were people.) One weebill threw a boomerang at an emu. The emu fell down. It fell with a crash. The porcupine heard it, and he said: "Aa, what fell there?" It fell with a crash.
*Weebills are small birds about the size of a wren.
Source: http://www.yuwaalaraay.org/stories/bigibilaV2.html
Information about Gamilaraay | Numbers
Information about Gamilaraay
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gamilaraay_language
http://www.yuwaalaraay.org/
http://www.dnathan.com/projects/gw/
http://www.ethnologue.com/language/kld
http://kamilaroianationsidentity.weebly.com/language.html
Gamilaraay dictionary
http://www.dnathan.com/language/gamilaraay/dictionary/GAMDICTF.HTM
Alyawarr, Arrernte, Bundjalung, Dharawal, Dhuwal, Diyari, Djinang, Djinba, Gamilaraay, Gooniyandi, Gugadja, Guugu Yalandji, Guugu Yimithirr, Kala Lagaw Ya, Kalkatungu, Kaurna, Kuku Nyungkal, Kunjen, Kuuk Thaayorre, Martu Wangka, Ngaanyatjarra, Ngiyambaa, Nhangu, Noongar, Paakantyi, Pintupi, Pitjantjatjara, Warlpiri, Wemba Wemba, Wik-Mungkan, Wiradjuri, Yankunytjatjara, Yindjibarndi, Yolŋu
Languages written with the Latin alphabet
Page last modified: 19.01.23
[top]
Why not share this page:
If you like this site and find it useful, you can support it by making a donation via PayPal or Patreon, or by contributing in other ways. Omniglot is how I make my living.
Note: all links on this site to Amazon.com
Get a 30-day Free Trial of Amazon Prime (UK)
If you're looking for home or car insurance in the UK, why not try Policy Expert?
[top]
