Pirriya language facts for kids

"Biria language" redirects here. It is not to be confused with the Biri language, also of Queensland.

"Bidia language" redirects here. It is not to be confused with the Bidiya language of Chad.

Quick facts for kids Pirriya
Birria
Native to	Australia
Ethnicity	Bidia
Extinct	(date missing)
Language family	Pama–Nyungan (unclassified, possibly Karnic) Pirriya
AIATSIS	`L36`

Pirriya (also Birria, Bidia, Kunggari, Kulumali, and Kungadutji) is an extinct and unclassified Australian Aboriginal language. It was spoken by the Bidia people (also known as Biria) of the western and central western Queensland, including Barcoo Shire, Whitula Creek, Cooper Creek, and Jundah.

It is not to be confused with the Biri language and its dialects, also a Queensland language, spoken by the Biria people.

Classification

Geographically it lay between the Karnic and Maric languages, but had no obvious connection to either; the data is too poor to draw any conclusions on classification. Dixon (2002) classes Pirriya with Kungkari as a subgroup of the Maric languages while Breen (1990) suggests it may be a Karnic language.

Vocabulary

Some words from the Birria language, as spelt and written by Birria authors include:

Billar: spear
Binoor: bandicoot
Boorong: rock
Bowra: kangaroo
Burlo moori: good day
Gulburri: emu
Noka: water
Ullatah: moon

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Pirriya language Facts for Kids. Kiddle Encyclopedia.