Umpithamu language
| Umpithamu | |
|---|---|
| Umbindhamu | |
| Native to | Australia |
| Region | Cape York Peninsula, Queensland |
| Ethnicity | Umpithamu, Lamalama, possibly Barungguan |
Native speakers | 1-10 (2018-19)[1] |
Pama–Nyungan
| |
| Language codes | |
| ISO 639-3 | umd |
| Glottolog | umbi1243 |
| AIATSIS[1] | Y50 |
| ELP | Umpithamu |
Umpithamu, also spelt Umbindhamu, is an
Australian Aboriginal language of the Cape York Peninsula, Queensland
, Australia.
Classification
Though generally accepted as a branch of the
In 2008, Verstraete wrote that there were four languages associated with the
Rimanggudinhma language (Mbariman-Gudhinma).[1] In 2020, he spoke of five languages associated with the Lamalama people, but the name of the fifth is not recorded in the article.[2]
He is quoted by
genetic subgroup of Paman known as Lamalamic, "defined by shared innovations in phonology and morphology".[3]
"Yintjinggu/Jintjingga" is a place name used for both Umpithamu and the neighbouring Ayabadhu language.[1][4]
Phonology
Vowels
| Front | Back | |
|---|---|---|
High
|
i iː | u uː |
| Mid | ɛ ɛː | ɔ ɔː |
Low
|
a aː |
- Short sounds /i, u, ɛ, ɔ/ may also be heard as [ɪ, ʊ, e, o]. Long sounds /uː, ɛː, ɔː/ can also be heard as [ʊː, eː, oː].
Consonants
| Peripheral | Laminal | Apical | Glottal | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bilabial | Velar | Palatal | Dental | Alveolar | ||
| Plosive | p | k | c | t̪
|
t
|
ʔ |
| Nasal | m | ŋ | ɲ | n̪
|
n
|
|
| Trill | r
|
|||||
| Lateral | l
|
|||||
| Approximant | w | j | ɹ
|
|||
- /p, k, t̪, c, t/ are heard as voiced [b, ɡ, d̪, ɟ, d] in intervocalic or post-nasal positions.[5]
Documentation
In July 2020, A Dictionary of Umpithamu was published, compiled by Flemish linguist Jean-Christophe Verstraete, with main language consultants Florrie Bassani and her niece Joan Liddy.[2][5]
References
- ^ a b c d e Y50 Umpithamu at the Australian Indigenous Languages Database, Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies
- ^ a b Rigby, Mark (5 August 2020). "First Cape York Indigenous language dictionary in 20 years published by Flemish linguist". ABC News. Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved 7 August 2020.
- ^ "Y55: Morrobolam". AIATSIS Collection (Austlang). 26 July 2019. Retrieved 7 August 2020.
- ^ "Y60: Ayapathu". Australian Indigenous Languages Database. Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies. 26 July 2019. Retrieved 3 June 2022.
- ^ ISBN 9781925302219.