Guugu Yimithirr

Guugu Yimithirr is a Pama-Nyungan language spoken in Far North Queensland in the northeast of Australia, particularly in Hopevale and Cooktown. According to the 2021 census, there are about 800 speakers of Guugu Yimithirr. The majority of speakers are adults, but some younger people also speak the language. Efforts are being made by various community members and groups to revitalize the language.

Other ways of writing the name of this language include Guguyimidjir, Guugu Yimidhirr, Gugu Yimijir, Gugu-Yimidhirr, Guguyimidjir, Guugu Yimithirr, Koko Imudji and Kukuyimidi. The native name of the language, Guugu Yimithirr [ˈkuːku ˈjɪmɪt̪ɪr], means "having this speech". There are two main dialects include dhalundhirr ("with the sea"), and waguurrga ("of the outside").

Guugu Yimithirr was first documented in 1770 by Lieutenant James Cook (later Captain Cook), Joseph Banks and Sydney Parkinson, and was the first Australian Aboriginal language to be written. They collected words in Guugu Yimithirr, including kangooroo / kanguru, which referred to a large black or grey kangaroo, and is now usually written gangurru [ɡaŋuru].

In the 1880s, missionaries started arriving in Guugu Yimithirr lands, and they devised ways to write the language in order to translate religious texts. A description of Guugu Yimithirr, The Structure of the Koko-Yimidir Language by Walter Roth was published in 1901, and the first book in Guugu Yimithirr, the Order of Service and Hyms was published in 1946. A number of other books about and in the language have been published since then.

There are several ways to write Guugu Yimithirr with the Latin alphabet. Most people use an orthography devised by George Rosendale in 1986. Guugu Yimithirr is taught in some schools in Hope Vale, Aurukun and Bamaga in Queensland.

Guugu Yimithirr alphabet and pronunciation

Download an alphabet chart for Guugu Yimithirr (Excel)

Notes

When unstressed, a can be pronounced [ə], and u is sometimes pronounced [ɯ].
At the beginning of words and after short vowels b = [p], g = [k], j = [c], th = [t̪], d = [t] and rd = [ʈ]. After consonants and long vowels, they are voiced (b = [b], g = [g], etc).
r is pronounced as a tap [ɾ] in normal speech, and may become a trill [r] in emphatic speech,
Most words begin with a consonant, however, l, r and rr do not occur in initial position.
Words can end in a vowel or l, r, rr, y, n or nh.

Sample videos in and about Guugu Yimithirr

Links

Information about the Guugu Yimithirr language
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Guugu_Yimithirr_language
https://www.pamacentre.org.au/guugu-yimidhirr-2/
https://collection.aiatsis.gov.au/austlang/language/y82
https://www.nma.gov.au/av/endeavour/guugu-yimidhirr/
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-06-23/community-fights-to-preserve-language-that-gave-us-kangaroo/9900518
https://www.pamacentre.org.au/learn-to-read-and-write-guugu-yimithirr/

Pama-Nyungan languages

Alyawarr, Arrernte, Bundjalung, Dharawal, Dhuwal, Diyari, Djabugay, Djinang, Djinba, Gamilaraay, Gooniyandi, Gugadja, Guugu Yalandji, Guugu Yimithirr, Kala Lagaw Ya, Kalkatungu, Kaurna, Kuku Nyungkal, Kunjen, Kuuk Thaayorre, Lamalama, Martu Wangka, Ngaanyatjarra, Ngiyambaa, Nhangu, Noongar, Paakantyi, Pintupi, Pitjantjatjara, Warlpiri, Wemba Wemba, Wik-Mungkan, Wiradjuri, Yankunytjatjara, Yindjibarndi, Yolŋu

Languages written with the Latin alphabet

Page last modified: 07.10.24

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