Yolŋu languages

Family of Australian Aboriginal languages

Yolŋu Matha

Yuulngu
Ethnicity| Yolngu
Geographic
distribution| In northeastern Arnhem Land, including Elcho Island, Crocodile Islands, Wessel Islands, English Company’s Islands, Northern Territory, Australia
Linguistic classification| Pama–Nyungan

* Yolŋu Matha

Subdivisions| Signed form:
Yolŋu Sign Language
Glottolog| yuul1239

Yolŋu languages (green) among other Pama–Nyungan (tan)

Yolŋu Matha (IPA: [ˈjuːŋuːl ˈmaːtaː]), meaning the 'Yolŋu tongue', is a linguistic family that includes the languages of the Yolngu (also known as the Yolŋu and Yuulngu languages), the indigenous people of northeast Arnhem Land in northern Australia. The ŋ in Yolŋu is pronounced as the ng in singing.

## Varieties[edit]

Yolŋu Matha consists of about six languages, some mutually intelligible, divided into about thirty clan varieties and perhaps twelve different dialects, each with its own Yolŋu name. Put together, there are about 4600 speakers of Yolŋu Matha languages. Exogamy has often meant that mothers and fathers speak different languages, so that children traditionally grew up at least bilingual, and in many cases polylingual, meaning that communication was facilitated by mastery of multiple languages and dialects of Yolŋu Matha. The linguistic situation is very complicated, given that each of the 30 or so clans also has a named language variety. Dixon (2002) distinguishes the following:[1]

A bilingual sign in both English and Yolŋu Matha warning about crocodiles in Yirrkala, Northern Territory. Dhangu-Djangu language | Nhangu language | Dhuwal language | Ritharngu language | Djinang language | Djinba language

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Wan.gurri | Gamalaŋga | Gupapuyngu | Ritharngu | Yirritjing | Ganhalpuyngu (Ganalbiŋu)
Lamamirri | Gorryindi | Gumatj | Wagilak | Wurlaki | Manjdjalpuyngu (Mandjalpiŋu)
Rirratjingu | Mäḻarra | Djambarrpuyngu |  | Djardiwitjibi |
Gaalpu | Bindarra | Djapu |  | Mildjingi |
Ngayimil | Ngurruwulu | Liyagalawumirr |  | Balmbi |
Warramiri | Walamangu | Guyamirlili |  | Djuwing |
Mandatja |  | Dhalwangu |  | Marrangu |
|  | Djarrwark |  | Murrungun |
|  |  |  | Manyarring |

Bowern (2011) adds the varieties in parentheses as distinct languages.

## Phonology[edit]

### Consonants[edit]

The consonant inventory is basically the same across Yolŋu varieties, although some varieties show minor differences.[2]

| Peripheral | Apical | Laminal | Glottal

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Bilabial | Velar | Alveolar | Dental | Retroflex | Palatal | Glottal
Plosive | Lenis | b ⟨b⟩ | ɡ ⟨g⟩ | d ⟨d⟩ | d̪ ⟨dh⟩ | ɖ ⟨d̠⟩ | ɟ ⟨dj⟩ | ʔ ⟨'⟩
Fortis | p ⟨p⟩ | k ⟨k⟩ | t ⟨t⟩ | t̪ ⟨th⟩ | ʈ ⟨t̠⟩ | c ⟨tj⟩ |
Nasals | m ⟨m⟩ | ŋ ⟨ŋ⟩ | n ⟨n⟩ | n̪ ⟨nh⟩ | ɳ ⟨n̠⟩ | ɲ ⟨ny⟩ |
Rhotics |  |  | r ⟨rr⟩ |  | ɻ ⟨r⟩ |  |
Laterals |  |  | l ⟨l⟩ |  | ɭ ⟨l̠⟩ |  |
Approximants | w ⟨w⟩ |  |  |  | j ⟨y⟩ |

Yolŋu languages have a fortis–lenis contrast in plosive consonants. Lenis/short plosives have weak contact and intermittent voicing, while fortis/long plosives have full closure, a more powerful release burst, and no voicing.

### Vowels[edit]

| Front | Central | Back

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Close | i ⟨i⟩, iː ⟨e⟩ |  | u ⟨u⟩, uː ⟨o⟩
Open |  | a ⟨a⟩, aː ⟨ä⟩ |

A three-way vowel distinction is shared between Yolŋu varieties, though not all Yolŋu varieties have a contrast in vowel length. In the varieties that do have a length contrast, long vowels occur only in the initial syllable of words.[3]

## In popular culture[edit]

The films Ten Canoes (2006) and Charlie's Country (2013), both directed by Rolf de Heer and featuring actor David Gulpilil, feature dialogue in Yolŋu Matha. Ten Canoes was the first feature film to be shot entirely in Australian indigenous languages, with the dialogue largely in the Ganalbiŋu variety of Yolŋu Matha.

Dr. G. Yunupingu was a popular Australian singer who sang in the Gumatj dialect of Yolŋu Matha, as did the Aboriginal rock group Yothu Yindi.

Baker Boy, from the community of Milingimbi in North Eastern Arnhem Land released the song "Cloud 9" in 2017, in which he raps in Yolŋu Matha.[4] As Young Australian of the Year in 2019, the International Year of Indigenous Languages, and with two of his songs in the 2019 Triple J Hottest 100,[5] he raised the profile of Yolŋu Matha in mainstream media as well as giving people at home pride in their language.[6][7][8]

## Dictionaries and resources[edit]

Dictionaries have been produced by Beulah Lowe, David Zorc and Michael Christie. A free, web-based searchable dictionary created by John Greatorex was launched in February 2015 by Charles Darwin University.

There are also several grammars of Yolŋu languages by Jeffrey Heath, Frances Morphy, Melanie Wilkinson and others.[9]

A graduate certificate in Yolŋu studies is offered at Charles Darwin University, teaching Yolŋu kinship, law and the Gupapuyŋu language variety.

ABC Indigenous News Radio broadcasts a news program in Yolngu Matha and also in Warlpiri on weekdays. The Aboriginal Resource and Development Services (ARDS) broadcast live radio in northeast Arnhem Land, Darwin and Palmerston and provide recordings of past programs on the internet.[10]

## Words and expressions[edit]

Further information: Yolŋu

* Gakal 'skill, talent, ability'
* Bäru 'crocodile'
* Gapumirr 'with water' (bucket with water), 'watery'.[11]
* Manymak 'good, OK'
* Yol or Yo (pronounced 'yo') 'yes'
* Yo manymak when used together the expression can be synonymous with either of its two component words and also used as a friendly greeting, the 'o' in yo is usually held for longer when used as part of this expression.
* Yaka 'ghost'
* Yothu 'child'
* Akka ‘sister’
* Yindi 'big'
* Yothu Yindi denotes the link between two different entities which is characterised as a mother-child relationship.[12]

### Austronesian loanwords[edit]

Like other languages of the Top End, Yolŋu-Matha contains many loanwords from Austronesian languages due to abundant contact with seafaring peoples from the Indonesian archipelago.[13][14][15][16] Walker and Zorc[13] have identified 179 Yolŋu-Matha words that are clearly of Austronesian origin, and have identified a further 70 possible Austronesian loanwords requiring further study.

Examples of Austronesian loanwords in Yolngu-Matha [13] Yolngu word | Austronesian source language | Austronesian word | Meaning in English

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balaʔ | Makassarese | bállaʔ | house
balala | Makassarese | balála | greedy
balaŋu | Makassarese | balaŋo | anchor
baluka | Makassarese | palúkka | thief
baːwʔ | Makassarese or Buginese | báuʔ | fragrance
gaːruŋ | Malay | karoŋ | sack
barawu | Malay | perahu | boat

## Vocabulary[edit]

Capell (1942) lists the following basic vocabulary items:[17]

gloss | Wan‘guri | Warameri | Galbu | Riraidjango | Yanango | Golba | Gobabwingo | Djambarbwingo | Dalwongo | Ridarngo | Gomaidj | Manggalili | Maṙaṙba | Djinba | Yandjinang

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man  | jọlŋọ | jọlŋọ | jọlŋọ | jọlŋọ | jọlŋọ | jọlŋọ | jọlŋọ | jọlŋọ | jọlŋọ | jọlŋọ | jọlŋọ | jọlŋọ | jọlŋọ | julŋi | djäriwidji
woman  | baɖami | baɖami | miälg | da‘iga | miälg | miälg | miälg | miälg | mareːbulu | diŋ‘ | daigaːwuru | daigaːwuru | miälg | miälg | miːlg
head  | muɽguɽ | muɽguɽu | mulguɽ | mulguɽ | daːmbu | daːmbu | lia | lia | mulguɽ | lia | lia | lia | mulguɽ | gungu | gɔɳgi
eye  | maŋudji | maŋudji | miːl, maŋudji | miːl | maŋudji | miːl | miːl | miːl | maŋudji | miːl | miːl | miːl | miːl | mili | mïːl
nose  | ŋọrọ | gamuru | ŋọrọ | ŋọrọ | gamuru |  | ŋọrọ | ŋọrọ | ŋọrọ | ŋọrọ | ŋọrọ | ŋọrọ | ŋọrọ | ŋɔrɛ | ŋɔrɛ
mouth  | ḏa | djurwara | ḏa | ḏa | durwara |  | ḏa | ḏa | ḏa | ḏɛlŋ | ḏa | ḏa | ḏa | ɽari | ɽari
tongue  | ŋaːnar | maḏa | maḏa | ŋaːnar | ŋaːnar | mada | maḏa | maḏa | ŋaːnar | maḏa | ŋaːnar | ŋaːnar | maḏa | djäliŋan | djɛlaŋ
stomach  | guru | gulun | gulun | dulmọ | gulun | gulun | gulun | gulun | dulmọ | gulun | gulun | gulun | gulun | gulun | budjiri
bone  | maṙiṙin | ŋaɽaga | ŋaɽaga | ŋaɽaga | maṙiṙin |  | ŋaɽaga | ŋaɽag | ŋaɽaga | ŋaɽaga | ŋaɽaga | ŋaɽaga | ŋaɽaga | ŋaɽaga | ŋiɽigɛ
blood  | gulaŋ | jilaŋ | gulaŋ | gulaŋ | gulaŋ | gulaŋ | maŋgo, gulaŋ | maŋgo, gulaŋ | gulaŋ | gula | gulaŋ | wuɽuŋgul | gulaŋ | gulaŋ | bɔṙɛ
kangaroo  | wiːɖi | wiːɖi | mundbia | mulbia | wiːɖi |  | wiːɖi | wiːɖi | ganguɽul | ŋarggọ | mulbia | mulbia | mulbia | ŋarggọ | ŋargọ
possum  | ɽubu | marŋo | marŋo | marŋo | marŋo | marŋo | marŋo | marŋo | ɽubu | marŋo | marŋo | ɽubu | marŋo | märŋo | marŋo
emu  | maluiːja | wurban | ’maluja | maluiːja | baɖaːwuma |  | wurban | wurban | wurban |  | wurban | wurban | wurban |  | wurban
crow  | galgmanda | waːg | gälgäriŋọ | waːg | galgmanda |  | waːg | waːg | waːg | waːgia | waːg | waːg | waːg | waːgia | waːgire
fly  | buad | gädiŋälọ | wurubul | buad | buad |  | wurulul | wurulul | gädiŋäli | buad | gädiŋälọ | gädiŋäli | wurulul | bolgi | muruläl
sun  | walọ | walọ | walọ | walọ | bïːn | walọ | walọ | walọ | larŋgai | walir | walọ | walọ | walọ | djäɽbiɽ | walir
moon  | wa̱lmura | boːla | ŋaɭindi | wa̱lmura | walmura | wa̱lmura | ŋaɭindi | ŋaɭindi | ŋaɭindi | ŋaɭindi, gulgia | ŋaɭindi | wirmu | naɭindi | galgi | ɽangu
fire  | ŋurdja | ŋurdja | ḏäŋuḏa | ḏäŋuḏa | bwiːmar | guɽda̱ | guɽḏa | guɽḏa | ḏäŋuḏa | guɽḏa | goɽḏa | ’bujuga | ŋuɽa | djoŋgɛ | djoŋgɛ
smoke  | ŋawurŋawur | ḏiliwur | ŋäräli | ŋäräli | ḏiliwur |  | ḏiliwur | ḏiliwur | ŋäräli | baːn | ḏiliwur | diliwur | ŋäräli | mälggɛ | ŋaɽimbi
water  | ŋargula | gaɽmag | magadi | gabu | gabu | gabu | gabu | gabu | gudjärg | gabu | gabu | gudjäɽg | gabu | gabi | gabe

## Notes[edit]

1. ^ Dixon, R. M. W. (2002). Australian Languages: Their Nature and Development. Cambridge University Press. p. xxxvi.
2. ^ Wilkinson, Melanie (2012). Djambarrpuyŋu: A Yolŋu Variety of Northern Australia. Muenchen: Lincom Europa. pp. 44–45. ISBN 978-3-86288-360-8.
3. ^ Wilkinson, Melanie (2012). Djambarrpuyŋuː A Yolŋu Variety of Northern Australia. Muenchen: Lincom Europa. pp. 44–45. ISBN 978-3-86288-360-8.
4. ^ ABC News
5. ^ "1-100: Hottest 100 2017 - triple j". ABC (Australian Broadcasting Corporation). 11 November 2011. Retrieved 27 January 2020.
6. ^ Reich, Hannah (25 January 2020). "Baker Boy ends his tenure as Young Australian of the Year by taking Yolngu language and dance further into the mainstream". ABC News (ABC Arts; Stop Everything!). Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved 26 January 2020.
7. ^ Kelly, Barb (25 January 2019). "Baker Boy is named 2019 Young Australian of the Year" (video). ABC News. Retrieved 26 January 2020.
8. ^ Newstead, Al (28 January 2018). "Baker Boy brings Indigenous language to the Hottest 100 top end". triple j. Retrieved 27 January 2020.
9. ^ ARDS Language Publications
10. ^ "Spanning the gap". ARDS Aboriginal Cultural and Creative Services Northern Territory. Retrieved 5 March 2022.
11. ^ Trudgen, Richard, 2000, 'Thirteen years of wanting to know', Why warriors lie down and die, Aboriginal Resource and Development Services, Inc. Darwin, pp. 97-112
12. ^ Christie, Michael J. (2013). Yolŋu language and culture: Study Notes. Darwin, Australia: Yolŋu Studies, Charles Darwin University. p. 40\. ISBN 978-1-921576-20-1.
13. ^ a b c Walker, Alan; Zorc, R. David (1 January 2011). "Austronesian Loanwords in Yolngu-Matha of Northeast Arnhem Land" (PDF). Aboriginal History. 5 (2). doi:10.22459/AH.05.2011.07.
14. ^ Evans, Nicholas (1 August 1997). Archaeology and Linguistics: Aboriginal Australia in Global Perspective. OUP Australia and New Zealand. pp. 237–260. ISBN 0195506707.
15. ^ Thomas, Paul (June 2013). Macassan History and Heritage: Journeys, Encounters and Influences - Chapter 5 Interpreting the Macassans: Language exchange in historical encounters (PDF). ANU Press. ISBN 9781922144966.
16. ^ Schapper, Antoinette (19 January 2022). "Beyond 'Macassans': Speculations on layers of Austronesian contact in northern Australia". Australian Journal of Linguistics. 41 (4): 434–452. doi:10.1080/07268602.2021.2000365. S2CID 246070761.
17. ^ Capell, Arthur. 1941-1942, 1942-1943. Languages of Arnhem Land, North Australia. Oceania 12: 364-392, 13: 24-51.

## References[edit]

* Yolngu.net: grammar, vocabulary, history [1]
* Aboriginal Resource and Development Services (ARDS) [2]
* Charles Darwin University, Darwin, Yolŋu Matha course [3]
* ARDS Rhombuy Dhäwu: Legal English-Yolngu Matha Online Dictionary [4]
* Trudgen, Richard, Why Warriors Lie Down & Die [5], ARDS, Darwin, 2000.
* Examples of Yolngu Matha being spoken [6]
* Radio National story
* Watson, Helen and David Wade Chambers (with the Yolngu community at Yirrkala). Singing the Land, Signing the Land. Deakin University.
* Madayin Law in Yolngu and English

## Further reading[edit]

* "About Yolngu". Nhulunbuy Corporation.
* Wilkinson, Melanie; Marika, Raymatta; Williams, Nancy M. (2009). "17. 'This place already has a name'". In Hercus, Luise; Koch, Harold (eds.). Aboriginal Placenames: Naming and Re-naming the Australian Landscape. Aboriginal History Monographs. ANU E Press. ISBN 978-1-921666-09-4.

* v
* t
* e

Pama–Nyungan languages

Paman languages

| North|

* Adithinngithigh
* Andjingith
* Anguthimri
* Arritinngithigh
* Awngthim
* Luthigh
* Mbiywom
* Ndrangith
* Ngkoth
* Uradhi

|

Northeast|

* Umpila

Wik|

* Ayabadhu
* Kugu-Muminh
* Pakanha
* Wik-Me'nh
* Wik-Mungkan
* Wik-Ngathan
* Wik-Ompom

Lamalamic|

* Lamalama
* Morrobolam

Yalanjic|

* Barrow Point
* Gugu Yalandyi
* Guugu Yimidhirr

Southwest|

* Koko-Bera
* Kok Thawa
* Kunjen
* Ogh-Undjan
* Kuuk Thaayorre
* Kuuk Yak
* Yir-Yoront

Norman|

* Kurtjar
* Kuthant

Thaypan|

* Alungul
* Angkula
* Aghu Tharrnggala
* Ikarranggal
* Takalak
* Thaypan

Southern|

* Agwamin
* Mbara-Yanga
* Mbabaram
* Walangama

Other|

* Djabugay
* Flinders Island
* Gugadj
* Kok Narr
* Mbariman-Gudhinma
* Umbindhamu

Eastern Pama–Nyungan

| Dyirbalic|

* Dyirbal
* Nyawaygi
* Warrgamay
* Wulguru

|

Maric|

* Bidjara
* Biri
* Kingkel
* Warrongo

Waka–Kabic|

* Barunggam
* Dappil
* Gabi-Gabi
* Gureng Gureng
* Wakawaka
* Wuliwuli

Durubalic|

* Guwar
* Janday
* Nunukul
* Turrbal

Gumbaynggiric|

* Kumbainggar
* Yaygir

Wiradhuric|

* Gamilaraay
* Ngiyambaa
* Wiradjuri

Yuin–Kuric|

* Awabakal
* Darkinjung
* Dharug
* Dhanggati
* Ngarigo
* Ngunnawal
* Tharawal
* Wormi

Gippsland|

* Dhudhuroa
* Gunaikurnai
* Pallanganmiddang

Other|

* Anewan
* Bandjalang
* Kalaw Lagaw Ya
* Yidiny

Southern Pama–Nyungan

| Yotayotic|

* Yabula-Yabula
* Yotayota

|

Kulinic|

Kolakngat

| Kulin|

* Bunurong
* Dja Dja Wurrung
* Ledji-Ledji
* Madhi-Madhi
* Wadi-Wadi
* Wathaurong
* Wemba Wemba
* Woiwurrung–Taungurung

|

Drual|

* Bungandidj
* Dhauwurd Wurrung
* Kuurn Kopan Noot

Lower Murray|

* Keramin
* Ngayawung
* Yaralde
* Yitha-Yitha
* Yuyu

Thura-Yura|

* Adnyamathanha
* Barngarla
* Kaurna
* Kuyani
* Narungga
* Nauo
* Ngadjuri
* Nukunu
* Wirangu

Mirniny|

* Mirning
* Ngadjunmaya

Nyungic|

* Galaagu
* Kalaamaya
* Natingero
* Nyungar

Western Pama–Nyungan

| Kartu|

* Badimaya
* Malgana
* Nhanda
* Wajarri
* Yinggarda

|

Kanyara–Mantharta|

* Kanyara
* Mantharta

Ngayarta|

* Jurruru
* Kurrama
* Martuthunira
* Ngarla
* Ngarluma-Kariyarra
* Nhuwala
* Nyamal
* Nyiyaparli
* Panyjima
* Yindjibarndi
* Yinhawangka

Marrngu|

* Karajarri
* Mangala
* Nyangumarta

Northern Pama–Nyungan

| Ngumpin–Yapa|

* Ngarrga
* Ngumbin

|

Warumungu|

* Warumungu

Warluwaric|

* Wagaya
* Bularnu
* Yindjilandji
* Warluwarra
* Yanyuwa

Kalkatungic|

* Kalkatungu
* Yalarnnga

Mayi|

* Mayi-Kulan
* Mayi-Kutuna
* Ngawun

Central Pama–Nyungan

| Wati|

* Ngardi
* Wanman
* Western Desert

|

Arandic|

* Arrernte
* Kaytetye
* Lower Arrernte

Karnic|

* Arabana
* Diyari
* Mithaka
* Ngamini
* Yarluyandi
* Ngura
* Pitta Pitta
* Wanggamala
* Wangka-Yutjurru
* Wilson River
* Bundhamara
* new Wangkumara/Garlali
* Yandruwandha

Other|

* Baagandji
* Bulloo River
* old Wangkumara/Garlali
* Muruwari
* Yardli

Other Pama–Nyungan

| Yolŋu|

* Dhaŋu
* Dhuwal
* Djaŋu
* Djinba
* Djinaŋ
* Ritharrŋu
* Nhaŋu

|

Other|

* Barranbinja
* Lower Burdekin

Macro-Pama–Nyungan?

| Macro-Gunwinyguan?|

| Maningrida|

* Burarra
* Ndjébbana
* Gurr-goni
* Nakkara

|

Mangarrayi-Marran|

* Alawa
* Mangarrayi
* Marra
* Warndarrang
* Yugul

Gunwinyguan|

* Jawoyn
* Uwinymil
* Waray
* Kunwinjku
* Dalabon
* Kunbarlang
* Ngalakgan
* Rembarrnga
* Ngandi
* Nunggubuyu
* Anindilyakwa

Other|

* Gaagudju
* Kungarakany
* Wardaman
* Wagiman

Tangkic|

* Kayardild
* Lardil
* Minkin
* Gangalidda (Yukulta)

Garrwan|

* Garrwa
* Gunindiri
* Waanyi

* v
* t
* e

Australian Aboriginal and Tasmanian languages

Pama–Nyungan
subgroups|

| Southeastern|

| Victorian P–N|

* Lower Murray
* Yotayotic
* Gippsland
* Kulin
* Bungandidj

|

New South Wales P–N|

* Yuin–Kuric
* Dhanggati ?
* Anewan (Nganyaywana) ?
* Central New South Wales
* Wiradhuric
* Barranbinja
* Muruwari

North Coast|

* Durubalic
* Bandjalangic
* Gumbaynggiric
* Waka–Kabic

Northern|

* Western Torres Strait
* Kalaw Lagaw Ya

Paman|

* Northern Paman
* Uradhi
* Wik
* Middle Paman
* Umpilaic
* Umbindhamuic
* Lamalamic
* Umbuygamu
* Mbarrumbathama
* Southwest Paman
* Kuuk Thayorre
* Southern Paman
* Mbabaram
* Flinders Island

Maric|

* Northern
* Warrongo
* Eastern
* Biri
* Southern
* Bidyara–Gungabula
* Margany–Gunya
* Bindal ?
* Guwa–Yanda ?
* Guwa
* Yanda
* Kingkel ?
* Dharumbal ?
* Bayali ?
* Lower Burdekin ?

Dyirbalic|

* Dyirbal
* Warrgamay
* Nyawaygi
* Lower Burdekin ?

Yimidhirr–Yalanji–Yidinic|

* Guugu Yimidihirr
* Kuku Yalanji
* Yidiny

Gulf|

* Kalkatungic
* Kalkatungu
* Yalarnnga
* Mayi

Central|

| Arandic–Thura–Yura|

* Arandic
* Arrernte
* Kaytetye
* Thura–Yura
* Wirangu
* Kaurna
* Adnyamathanha

|

Karnic|

* Northern (Palku)
* Pitta-Pitta
* Western
* Arabana–Wangkangurru
* Central
* Diyari
* Yandruwandha
* Eastern
* Wilson River (Wangkumara)
* Bulloo River (Galali) ?

* Yarli
* Paakantyi

Western|

| Yolŋu|

* Dhaŋu–Djaŋu
* Ritharrŋu
* Nhaŋu
* Dhuwal–Dhuwala
* Djambarrpuyŋu
* Gupapuyŋu
* Djinaŋ
* Djinba
* Ganhalpuyŋu

|

Ngarna/Warluwarric|

* Yanyuwa
* Southern
* Ngarru
* Thawa

Desert Nyungic|

* Marrngu
* Ngumpin–Yapa
* Ngumpin
* Yapa
* Warumungu ?
* Wati

South-West P–N|

* Pilbara
* Ngayarda
* Kanyara–Mantharta
* Kartu–Nhanda
* Yinggarda ?
* Mirning
* Nyunga

Others|

* Proto-Pama–Nyungan

Tangkic|

* Lardil (register: Damin)
* Kayardild
* Yukulta (Ganggalida, Nyangga)
* Mingginda (Minkin)

Garrwan|

* Garawa (Garrwa, north)
* Waanyi (Wanji, south)
* Gunindiri (Kurnindirri, southwest)

Macro-Gunwinyguan ?|

| Maningrida|

* Burarra
* Gurr-goni
* Ndjébbana
* Nakkara

|

Marran|

* Marra
* Warndarang
* Yugul ?
* Alawa ?
* Mangarrayi ?

Gunwinyguan proper|

| Western|

* Jawoyn (Djauan)
* Waray
* Uwinymil

|

Central|

* Bininj Kunwok (Kunwinjku, Gunwinggu)
* Kunbarlang
* Dalabon (Ngalkbun)

Eastern|

* Rembarrnga
* Ngalakgan
* Ngandi
* Nunggubuyu (Wubuy)
* Anindilyakwa (Enindhilyagwa)

Yangmanic–Wagiman?|

* Wardaman
* Wagiman

other isolates|

* Kungarakany (Koongurrukuñ) ?
* Gaagudju

Iwaidjan|

| Central (Warrkbi)|

* Iwaidja
* Garig–Ilgar
* Garig
* Ilgar

|

Eastern (Goulburn Island)|

* Maung
* Manangkari

Southern|

* Amurdag

Marrku–Wurrugu ?|

* Wurrugu
* Marrgu

Darwin Region ?|

* Gulumoerrgin (Larrakia)

Limilngan–Wulna?|

* Limilngan
* Wulna

Umbugarlic|

* Umbugarla
* Ngurmbur
* Bugurnidja

Daly River Sprachbund|

| Wagaydyic (Anson Bay)|

* Batjamalh (Wadjiginy)
* Pungu Pungu (Kandjerramalh)

|

Northern Daly|

* Malak-Malak (Nguluk Wanggar)
* Tyerraty

Western Daly|

* Marri Ngarr
* Merranunggu
* Marrithiyel
* Marramaninjsji

Eastern Daly|

* Matngele (Werret/Dakayu)
* Kamu

Southern Daly|

* Murrinh-patha
* Ngan’gityemerri

Mirndi|

* Jingulu

| Yirram|

* Nungali
* Jaminjung

|

Ngurlun|

* Ngarnka
* Wambaya

Jarrakan|

* Kija
* Miriwoong
* Gajirrawoong

Bunuban|

* Bunuba
* Gooniyandi

Worrorran|

* Wunambal (Northern)
* Ngarinyin (Eastern)
* Worrorra (Western)

Nyulnyulan|

| Western (Nyulnyulic)|

* Nyulnyul
* Bardi
* Jawi
* Djabirr-Djabirr
* Nimanburru

|

Eastern (Dyukun)|

* Yawuru
* Dyugun
* Warrwa
* Nyigina
* Ngumbarl

isolates|

* Giimbiyu
* Tiwi

Tasmanian
family-level groups|

| Western|

* Northwestern Tasmanian (Peerapper)
* Southwestern Tasmanian (Toogee) ?

|

Northern|

* Northern Tasmanian (Tommeginne)
* Port Sorell

Northeastern|

* Pyemmairre (Northeastern)
* Tyerrernotepanner (North Midland)
* Lhotsky/Blackhouse
* Norman

Eastern|

* Oyster Bay
* Little Swanport
* Southeast Tasmanian
* Bruny Island

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