Alngith ([al-ngeeth]) is an extinct Paman language formerly spoken on the Cape York Peninsula of Queensland, Australia, by the Alngith people. The last known speakers survived into the 1980s.[3] Phonologically, this language variety is very similar to the related variety Linngithigh, the only difference being that this language has the process of metathesis whereas Linngithigh does not.[4]
Alngith is considered to be a dialect of Thaynakwith, a language spoken on Western Cape York in the Weipa area taking in Albatross Bay and Mission River. The traditional language area of Thaynakwith includes landscape within the local government boundaries of Weipa Town Council and the Shire of Cook.[5]
The word Nje 'alan means 'good day'.
Phonology
The two dialects of Alngith and Linngithigh have the same sound inventory.[6]
Consonants
Peripheral | Laminal | Apical | Glottal | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Bilabial | Velar | Palatal | Dental | Alveolar | Retroflex | ||
Plosives | p | k | c | t̪ | t | ʔ | |
Fricatives | β | ɣ | ð | ||||
Nasals | m | ŋ | ɲ | n̪ | n | ||
Post-trilled | tʳ | ||||||
Vibrant | r | ||||||
Approximants | w | j | l | ɻ |
Vowels
Front | Back | |
---|---|---|
High | i | u |
Mid | æ | o |
Low | a |
References
- ^ Australian Bureau of Statistics (2021). "Cultural diversity: Census". Retrieved 13 October 2022.
- ^ Y32 Alngith at the Australian Indigenous Languages Database, Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies
- ^ Wurm, S. A. and S. Hattori (eds.). 1981. Language atlas of the Pacific area. Canberra: The Australian Academy of the Humanities in collaboration with the Japan Academy.
- ^ Kenneth Hale, 1976, Phonological Developments in Particular Northern Paman Languages, pp.12-13
- ^
- ^ Kenneth Hale, 1976, Phonological Developments in Particular Northern Paman Languages, pp.14