Data collected by AUSTLANG

Data on the Anindilyakwa language

Alternatives names: Warnindilyakwa, Enindhilyagwa.

For additional names and alternative spellings, see the AUSTLANG website.

Classification: Isolate.

Comment: Evans (2003:13) says that Anindilyakwa might be included within ‘Greater Gunwinyguan’ following Heath’s remarks about the closeness of Nunggubuyu to Anindilyakwa, but it requires further research to confirm this. It is best considered an isolate, until then.

Area: Australia, Northern Territory, Groote Eylandt, Bickerton Island

Number of speakers: The 2005 National Indigenous Languages Survey Report estimated approximately 1500 speakers of Anindilyakwa, whereas the 2006 Australian Bureau of Statistics Census counted 1283 speakers.

Language vitality & transmission:

According to Unesco Anindilyakwa is a lightly endangered language (classified “vulnerable”, grade 1). Austlang gives no information on this point.

Bibliography

Leeding, Velma. 1989. Anindilyakwa phonology and morphology, University of Sydney: PhD.

Groote Eylandt Linguistics. 1993. Eningerribirra-langwa jurra Angurugu. N.T.:Groote Eylandt Linguistics

See Austlang website for a complete bibliography.

Map

Tindale, Norman. 1974. Tribal Boundaries in Aboriginal Australia. Canberra: Division of National Mapping, Department of National Development

Links

Anindilyakwa Land Council, official website

AUSTLANG website