Data collected by AUSTLANG

Data on the Dhuwal language

Alternative names: Duwal

For a full list of alternative names and spelling, see Austlang.

Main dialects: Several clans speak a dialect of Dhuwal, Djambarrpuyngu may be one of them.

Classification: Pama-Nyungan, Yuulngu languages.

Djambarrpuyngu is considered by some sources to be a dialect of Dhuwal.

Geographic area: Australia, Northern Territory, Arnhem Land, Roper River.

Number of speakers: The 2006 Australian Bureau of Statistics’ census counted 3044 speakers of Dhuwal. This number is possibly inflated. It is unclear whereas speakers of Djambarrpuyngu are included by this survey.

Language vitality & transmission:

Austlang gives no information about Dhuwal’s vitality. It might be one of the Australian languages with the most speakers.

Bibliography

Tindale, Norman. 1974. Tribal Boundaries in Aboriginal Australia. Canberra: Division of National Mapping, Department of National Development.

See Austlang website for a complete bibliography about Dhuwal.

Links

Ethnologue entry for Dhuwal

WALS entry for Dhuwal

AUSTLANG website