Australian Aboriginal Languages

The Australian Aboriginal languages belong to various regions across Australia. These regions cover diverse landscapes and ecosystems across Australia, reflecting the rich cultural and linguistic tapestry of the continent’s Indigenous peoples. Here’s a general overview:

  • Arrernte: Spoken in the Northern Territory.
  • Bunaban: Spoken in the Kimberley region of Western Australia.
  • Daly: Spoken in the Northern Territory, particularly in the Daly River region.
  • Gamilaraay: Spoken in northern New South Wales.
  • Garawa: Spoken in the Gulf Country region of Queensland and the Northern Territory.
  • Giimbiyu: Associated with languages spoken in the Northern Territory, like Ngandi.
  • Greater Pama-Nyungan: Encompasses a vast area, including parts of New South Wales, Queensland, South Australia, Victoria, and Western Australia.
  • Gunwinyguan: Spoken in the Top End of the Northern Territory.
  • Kaurna: Originally spoken in the Adelaide Plains region of South Australia.
  • Koori: A term encompassing various languages spoken by Aboriginal people in Victoria.
  • Laragiya: Associated with Gurindji, spoken in the Northern Territory.
  • Limilingan: Associated with languages like Ngalkbun, spoken in the Northern Territory.
  • Ngaanyatjarra: Spoken in Western Australia, South Australia, and the Northern Territory.
  • Noongar: Spoken in Western Australia.
  • Nyulnyulan: Spoken in the Kimberley region of Western Australia.
  • Pitjantjatjara: Spoken in South Australia.
  • Tiwi: Spoken on the Tiwi Islands, north of Darwin.
  • Umbugarla: Associated with Ngalakan, spoken in the Northern Territory.
  • West Barkly: Encompasses parts of the Barkly Tableland in the Northern Territory.
  • Wiradjuri: Spoken in New South Wales.
  • Wororan: Spoken in the Kimberley region of Western Australia.
  • Yiwaidjan: Associated with languages like Yiwaidja, spoken in the Northern Territory.
  • Yolŋu Matha: A group of Yolŋu languages spoken in Arnhem Land, Northern Territory.

These languages contribute to the incredible linguistic diversity found among Australian Aboriginal communities across the continent.