Wakka Wakka language
Extinct Pama–Nyungan language of Australia
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The Wakka Wakka language, also spelt Waga, or Wakawaka, is an extinct Pama–Nyungan language formerly spoken by the Wakka Wakka people, an Aboriginal Australian nation near Brisbane, Australia.[3] Kaiabara/Gayabara, Nguwera/Ngoera, and Buyibara may be varieties or alternative names.
RegionQueensland
EthnicityWakka Wakka, Djakunda, Dalla (?Wulili, ?Baruŋgam)
Pama–Nyungan
-
Waka–Kabic
- Miyan
- Wakka Wakka
- Miyan
| Wakka Wakka | |
|---|---|
| Waga | |
| Wakawaka | |
| Region | Queensland |
| Ethnicity | Wakka Wakka, Djakunda, Dalla (?Wulili, ?Baruŋgam) |
| Extinct | 1965, with the death of Willie McKenzie[1] |
Pama–Nyungan
| |
| Dialects | |
| Language codes | |
| ISO 639-3 | wkw |
| Glottolog | waka1274 |
| AIATSIS[2] | E28 |
| ELP | Waka-Waka |
| Duungidjawu | |
| |
Initiation language
A distinct style of the language was used in male initiation ceremonies. Two phrases or words were given by an unitiated informant with unknown meaning., being biri buːn barung and marugung.[4]
Phonology
Consonants
- /l/ may occasionally be velarized as [ɫ].
- /l/ may also exist in the sequence /-lj-/, however; it is not realized as a palatal lateral sound [ʎ].
