Information concerning Macro-Pama-Nyungan languages

Where are Macro-Pama-Nyungan languages spoken?

They are indigenous languages of Australia.

Total number of speakers:

We do not have an estimate of the total number of speakers at this time.

Classification

The Macro-Pama-Nyungan group consists of around one hundred languages; it is the largest language group of Australian languages.

Tankic Languages

Lardil ( or Leerdil)

Damin (Ceremonial language)

Kayardild
Yukulta

Garawa

Garrwa

Pama-Nyungan Languages

Arandic Group

Kaytetye

Arrernte sub group

Alyawarr

Antekerrepenh

Anmatyerre

Arrernte

Baagandjic:

Paakantyi

Bundjalung

Dyangadi Group

Dyangadi

Nganyaywana

Dyirbalic Group

Dyirbal

Nyawaygi

Wargamay

Unclassified:

Finders Island

Kalkatunic or Galgadunic Group

Kalkutung: extinct

Yalarnnga: extinct

Unclassified:

Gumbaynggir

Barrow Point: probably extinct

Guugu Yimidhirr

Kala Lagaw Ya (also known as Mabuiag)

Karnic Group

Karna sub group

Dieri

Dirari

Ngamini

Pirlatapa

Yandruwandha

Yawarawarga

Palku sub group

Arabana

Pitta Pitta

Wanggamala

Wangkangurru

Ngura

Lardil

Maric

Bidyara

Biri

Gangulu

Gugu Badhun

Gungabula

Gunya

Guwamu

Kunggari

Mandandanyi

Margany

Wadjigu

Warungu

Unclassified:

Mbara

Muruwaric

Narrinyeri

Paman Group

Kunjen

Gugubera

Gugadj

Lamalamic sub group

Lamu-Lamu

Umbuygamu

Mayabic sub group

Mayaguduna

Maykulan

Ngawun

Pama Central sub group

Ayabadhu

Kuku-Mangk

Kuku-Mu’inh

Kuku-Muminh

Kuku-Ugbanh

Kuku-Uwanh

Pakanha

Wikalkan

Wik-Epa

Wik-Iiyanh

Wik-Keyangan

Wik-Me’an

Wik-Me’anha

Wik-Mungkan

Wik-Ngathan

Wikngenchera

Mbariman sub group

Gugu Warra

Mbariman-Gudhinma

Norman Pama sub group

Areba

Gurdjar

Kunggara

Kuthant

Nord-East Pama sub group

Kaanju

Kuuku-Ya’u

Umpila

North Pama sub group

Alngith

Atampaya

Leningitij

Uradhi

Ramul Pama sub group

Aghu Tharnggalu

Thaypan

South Pama Group

Mbabaram

Wamin

Thayore

Umbindhamu

Yir Yoront

South West Group

Ngayarda sub group

Banyjima

Ngarla

Nyamal

Kariyarra

Ngarluma

Yindjibarndi

Kurrama

Yinhawangka

Jurruru

Nhuwala

Martuthunira

Dhalandji sub group

Dhalandji

Pinigura

Kanyara sub group

Bayungu

Burduna

Marngu sub group

Karadjeri

Nyangumarta

Mirning sub group

Kalarko

Ngatjumaya

Ngarga sub group

Warlmanpa

Warlpiri

Nqumbin sub group

Gurinji

Jaru

Mudbura

Ngarinyman

Walmajarri

Wadjari sub group

Badimaya

Wajarri

Wati sub group

Antakarinya

Kokata

Kukatja

Martu Wangka

Ngaanyatjarra

Pini

Pintiini

Pintupi-Luritja

Pitjantjatjara

Wanman

Yankunytjatjara

Yinngarda sub group

Nhanda

Yinggarda

Yura sub group

Adnyamathanha

Banggarla

Guyani

Nugunu

Unclassified:

Malgana

Mangala

Nijadali

Nyunga

Wirangu

Tangic Group

Ganggalida

Kayardild

Nyangga

Wagaya-Warluwaric Group

Wagaya

Warluwara

Yindjilandji

Waka-Kabic Group

Bayali

Wakawaka

Wuliwuli

Gureng Gureng

Unclassified:

Warumungu

Wiradhuric Group

Gamilaraay

Wangaaybuwan-Ngiyambaa

Wiradhuri

Worimi Group

Awabakal

Worimi

Yalandyic Group

Djangun

Kuku-Yalanji

Muluridyi

Unclassified:

Yanyuwa

Yuin Group

Dhurga

Thurawal

Yuulngu Group

Dhay’yi

Dhangu

Dhuwal

Dhuwaya

Djambarrpuyngu

Djinang

Djinba

Gumatj

Gupapuyngu

Ritharrngu

Yan-nhangu

Comments on the classification:

Here we follow Evans’ classification( 1997) which groups together Takic and Pama-Nyungan families, together with the Garawa isolate. If each of these « sub-families » are, on the whole, consensual, the same cannot be said about their grouping under the “Macro-Pama-Nyungan” label, for it is not fully supported.

There exists also a tendency to group all the Aboriginal languages of Australia within the same set (as seen on www.ethnologue.com), but this is considered highly speculative, as for now, by the scientific community.

References:

Austlang website

David Nathan’s website

McConvell, Patrick & Evans, Nicholas. (eds.) 1997. Archaeology and Linguistics: Global Perspectives on Ancient Australia. Melbourne: Oxford University Press