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Kurrama
Index compiled with data collected by AUSTLANG
Data on the language
Alternatives names: Kurama, Gurama, Kerama, Karama, Korama
For additional names and alternative spellings, see the AUSTLANG website.
Main dialects:
According to Dench (1990, as quoted in Wangka Maya 2001: 9), there may be as many as five dialects of Kurrama:
– Yarnarri,
– Yinyjiwarnti Kurrama,
– Mijarranypa,
– Marntartka
– Ngamangamara
Classification: Pama Nyungan language family, Ngayarta group
Area: Kurrama is an aboriginal language spoken in Western Australia (WA): in Mutalkura (Top End Kurrama) – Hammersley Ranges; around Marandoo and Tom Price as far as Palm Spring; Punukunti (Bottom End Kurrama) – Duck Creek, around Boolgeeda Creek; the Western arm of the Beasley River down to Cajuput Spring; Nhamarrnhamarra (Robe River Kurrama) – around Red HIll.
According to Tindale (1974), Kurrama is spoken on the plateau tops of Hamersley Range, North to cliff wall looking down on valley of Fortescue River; East to Mount McCrae at the Western boundary of Hamersley Station; South to the headwaters of Duck Creek and upper Hardey River at Rocklea.
This group joined with the Punukunti (Brehaut & Vitenbergs 2001 as quoted in Wangka Maya 2001).
Number of speakers:
The most recent National Indigenous Language Survey Report of 2005 estimated 10 speakers.
Vitality & transmission:
Presently, Kurrama is seemingly extinct (endangerment level 0), according to AUSTLANG.
Sources & bibliography
Burgman, Albert. 2006. Kurrama : Kurrama – English dictionary, English – Kurrama wordlist, topical wordlist and sketch grammar. South Hedland, WA: Wangka Maya PALC.
Wangka Maya PALC. 2006. Kurrama wordlists & sketch grammar. South Hedland, WA: Wangka Maya PALC.
Maps
Dench, Alan. 1995. Martuthunira, a language of the Pilbara region of Western Australia. Canberra: Pacific Linguistics.
Sharp, Janet and Thieberger, Nick. 2001. Wangka Maya, the Pilbara Aboriginal Language Centre. In Forty years on, eds. J Simpson et al, 325-335. Canberra Pacific Linguistics.
Tindale, Norman. 1974. Tribal Boundaries in Aboriginal Australia. Canberra: Division of National Mapping, Department of National Development.
Wangka Maya Pilbara Aboriginal Language Centre. 2001. Kurrama wordlist & sketch grammar. South Hedland, WA: Wangka Maya Pilbara Aboriginal Language Centre.
Wordick, F. 1982. The Yindjibarndi language. Canberra: Pacific Linguistics.
Links
Wangka Maya Pilbara Aboriginal Language Centre website: http://www.wangkamaya.org.au/
AUSTLANG website: http://austlang.aiatsis.gov.au/main.php
Ethnologue webpage: http://www.ethnologue.com/show_language.asp?code=vku
Please do not hesitate to contact us should you have more information on this language: contact@sorosoro.org