Pirriya language
Extinct Australian Aboriginal language
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Pirriya (also Birria, Bidia, Kunggari, Kulumali, and Kungadutji) is an extinct and unclassified Australian Aboriginal language.[1] It was spoken by the Bidia people (also known as Biria) of the western and central western Queensland, including Barcoo Shire, Whitula Creek, Cooper Creek, and Jundah.[2][3]
It is not to be confused with the Biri language and its dialects, also a Queensland language, spoken by the Biria people.
Classification
Geographically it lay between the Karnic and Maric languages, but had no obvious connection to either; the data is too poor to draw any conclusions on classification.[4] Dixon (2002)[5]: xxxiii classes Pirriya with Kungkari as a subgroup of the Maric languages while Breen (1990) suggests it may be a Karnic language.[6]: 64
Phonology
Vocabulary
Some words from the Birria language, as spelt and written by Birria authors include:[3]
- Billar: spear
- Binoor: bandicoot
- Boorong: rock
- Bowra: kangaroo
- Burlo moori: good day
- Gulburri: emu
- Noka: water
- Ullatah: moon
