Wik-Ngathan language
Australian Aboriginal language
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Wik-Ngathan, or Wik-Iinjtjenj (Wik-Iinychanya), is a Paman language spoken on the Cape York Peninsula of Queensland, Australia, by the Wik-Ngathan people. It is closely related to the other Wik-Ngathan language, Wik-Ngatharr and more distantly to the other Wik languages. In 1981 there were 130 speakers.[3]
NativetoAustralia
RegionCape York Peninsula, Queensland
EthnicityWiknatanja, Wik-Kalkan
Native speakers
3 (2016 census)[1]| Wik-Ngathan | |
|---|---|
| Wik-Iinjtjenj | |
| Native to | Australia |
| Region | Cape York Peninsula, Queensland |
| Ethnicity | Wiknatanja, Wik-Kalkan |
Native speakers | 3 (2016 census)[1] |
Pama–Nyungan
| |
| Dialects |
|
| Language codes | |
| ISO 639-3 | Either:wig – Wik Ngathanwik – Wikalkan |
| Glottolog | wikn1245 Wik-Ngathana |
| AIATSIS[2] | Y54 Wik Ngathan, Y51 Wik Ngatharr |
| ELP | Wik-Ngathana |
 Wik-Ngathan is classified as Definitely Endangered by the UNESCO Atlas of the World's Languages in Danger. | |
| Coordinates: 13°52′S 141°31′E | |
A dictionary of Wik-Ngathan has been compiled by Peter Sutton.[4]
Phonology
Consonants
- Sounds /m, n̪, n, ŋ, l/ are heard as syllabic [m̩, n̩, n̪̩, ŋ̍, l̩] when following consonants. A schwa [ə] may also be heard between as well, and may be heard as [ʊ] within the context of bilabials and as [ɪ] within the context of palatal consonants.
- /j/ can also be heard as [ɟ] when under extreme emphasis.
- Nasals may also be pre-stopped when under extreme emphasis.
- /l, n/ may be heard as pre-ploded-syllabic [ᵈl̩, ᵈn̩], when following consonants.
