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Yulparirra language facts for kids

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Yulparirra
Yulparija
Region Bidyadanga, north of Jigalong, Western Australia
Native speakers 33  (2021 census)
Language family
Pama–Nyungan
AIATSIS A67

Yulparirra or Yulparija (Yulparitja) is one of the Wati languages of the large Pama–Nyungan family of Australia. It is sometimes counted as a dialect of the Western Desert Language, but is classified as a distinct language in Bowern.

It is one of the components of the Martu Wangka koine.

Phonology

Yulparija has a typical phonemic inventory for languages of the Kimberley area. It uses 17 consonants in five distinct places of articulation.

Consonant Phonemes
Bilabial Apico-alveolar Apico-post-alveolar Lamino-palatal Dorso-velar
Stops p ⟨p⟩ t ⟨t⟩ ʈ ⟨rt⟩ c ⟨j⟩ k ⟨k⟩
Nasals m ⟨m⟩ n ⟨n⟩ ɳ ⟨rn⟩ ɲ ⟨ny⟩ ŋ ⟨ng⟩
Laterals l ⟨l⟩ ɭ ⟨rl⟩ ʎ ⟨ly⟩
Taps ɾ ⟨rr⟩
Glides w ⟨w⟩ ɻ ⟨r⟩ j ⟨y⟩

Vowels

Yulparija uses a three vowel system, with a length contrast for the open vowel [a] and the close back vowel [u].

Vowel Phonemes
Front Back
Close i [i] u [u], uu [uː]
Open a [a], a [aː]
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