Biri language
Extinct Australian Aboriginal language
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Biri refers to a grouping of at least 12 Australian Aboriginal dialects comprising a singular language, spoken in an area between Mackay and Townsville of Queensland by the Birri Gubba people. A grammar of Biri proper was written[when?] before the language was silenced.[nb 1] As of January 2020[update] some of the dialects have been undergoing a revival for some years.[4]
At least eight distinct languages have been historically regarded as dialects of Biri.[5] Recent research is finding that at least some of these "dialects", such as Gangulu, Barada, Wirri and Garaynbal, have significant lexical, morphological and phonological differences to Biri, and as such should be considered distinct languages.[6] All are covered in this article.
Peoples
The following peoples spoke the dialects of Biri mentioned above:
"Dialects"
The following languages are regarded as closely related languages of Biri by the AUSTLANG database maintained by AIATSIS. Only one alternative name is given, for brevity; most have many more. Most, if not all, of these languages were silenced during the 19th and 20th centuries,[3] but many of them are now being reawakened by their respective communities.
Yuwi
E54: Yuwi (Juipera, Toolginburra, Yuipera, Juwibara, Yuibera, Yuwiburra, Yuwibarra, Yuwibara): Yuwibara is treated as a dialect of Biri by Angela Terrill, based on George Bridgeman and Pierre-Marie Bucas' list in Curr (Vol.3, pp. 44–51), having over 80% in common with Biri. However Gavan Breen assigns it to Wiri (E57) – another dialect of Biri – on the basis of geography and other evidence. AIATSIS had not as of October 2020[update] assigned a status to it.[12]
Yuwi had no recorded speakers between 1975 and 2016 according to AUSTLANG,[12] but efforts are being made to revive the language. After a group of Yuwi descendants had worked hard to revive the language, by January 2020 elders were able to conduct "Welcome to Country" ceremonies in language. It was a long process, which included Elders consulting with the State Library of Queensland, working on building word lists and developing a dictionary. The organisation First Languages Australia, a language advocacy body established in 2013,[18] lends support.[19]
The language and people are usually referred to as Yuwibara today,[20][21] with a 2020 native title determination made in this name.[22]
Ngaro
E59: Ngaro's status as a separate dialect is unconfirmed, with a Tindale wordlist being the only source. Breen assigns it to Wiri (E57).[16]
Gabulbarra
Gabulbarra is name for a people of Central Queensland, but little is known about their language. The Gabulbarra people are closely connected with the Barada people[23] and may have spoken a similar language to Barada.