Gurindji language

Gurindji is a Pama–Nyungan language spoken by the Gurindji and Ngarinyman people in the Northern Territory, Australia. The language of the Gurindji is highly endangered, with about 592 speakers remaining and only 175 of those speakers fully understanding the language. There are in addition about 60 speakers of Ngarinyman dialect. Gurindji Kriol is a mixed language that derives from the Gurindji language.

Gurindji
Gurinji, Korindji, Garundji, Kuurrinjtji
Pronunciation/ɡʊˈrɪndʒi/
Native toNorthern Territory, Australia
RegionVictoria River and Wave Hill, Kalkaringi
EthnicityGurindji, Ngarinyman, Malngin, Wandjira, Bilingara
Native speakers
620 (2021 census)
Pama–Nyungan
  • Ngumpin–Yapa
    • Ngumbin
      • Gurindji
Dialects
  • Eastern Gurindji
  • Wanjdjirra
  • Malngin
  • Wurlayi
  • Ngarinyman
  • Bilinarra
  • ?Kartangarurru
Language codes
ISO 639-3Either:
gue – Gurinji
nbj – Ngarinyman
Glottologguri1247  Gurindji
ngar1235  Ngarinman
AIATSISC20 Gurindji (cover term), C27 Ngarinyman (cover term)
ELPGurindji
 Ngarinyman

Patrick McConvell writes: "Traditional Gurindji today is only generally spoken in private contexts between older people, although it is occasionally used in speeches and newly composed songs."

Patrick McConvell also states: "Gurindji has been taught intermittently for short periods as a subject in the local school over the last twenty-five years but mostly has had no role in the curriculum or in official community functions."

The Gurindji language has borrowed many words from surrounding languages such as Gajirrabeng, Ngaliwurru, Jaminjung, Jaru, Miriwung, and Wardaman.

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