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IY
1<IJ
(OUR LAN8UAClS I!CIJA)
A PMRAt:SBOOI( 0' TMS I(IJA LAN8UA8S
Compiler: Joseph Blythe
Kijo contributors:
poris Fletcher, Lulu Trancollino, Ben Duncan, Henry Achoo, Mavis Wallaby, Mary Thomas,
Eileen Bray, Rosie Malgil, Pilot Henry. Tiger Henry, Loma Thomas, Phyllis Thomas.
This phrasebook is accompanied by a series of cassettes.
I
KIMBERLEY LANGUAGE RESOURCE CENTRE
I
I
This book is published by the Kimberley Language
Resource Centre, an Aboriginal organisation that
supports groups who are working to maintain their
indigenous languages, and undertakes projects at
their request.
Proceeds from the sale of this book go towards
maintenance of Aboriginal languages in the
Kimberley.
© Kimberley Language Resource Centre on behalf of the
owners of the Kija language and culture.
PMB 11
Halls Creek WA 6770
Tel:
(OS) 916S 6005
Fax:
(OS) 9168 6023
e-mail: klrchc@bigpond.com
© art remains with the individual artists
ISBN:
-
1 875167358
Design and layout: Jane Lodge
Funded by:
Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Commission
Language Access Initiative Program (Stolen
Generation Funding)
Cover painting:
Felicity Smith
Other artwork by: Felicity Smith. Rosie Malgil. Thelma Thomas.
Doris Fletcher. Loma Thomas. Henry Achoo.
Lulu Trancollino.
Kija on tapes spoken by:
Doris Aetcher. Lulu Trancollino.
Benny Duncan. Loma Thomas.
Henry Achoo.
English on tapes spoken by: Lexie Trancollino-Councillor.
Ethel McLennon. Jane Morris.
Henry Achoo. Kenneth Martin.
Perrema yuwurrlyangem menkawum
m/rllm/rllm Kljampurru pinarrikklrrem.
Perrem menkawum kajetpu rangkakirrem
rangka plmperrikpu jarrakpu yamperramurlunya
pakarrjlya Kljam yuwurrlyangem.
Lulu Trancollino
Kija Executive Member
Kimberley Language Resource Centre
It is good to have our book about Kija to help people learn it.
The cassettes too are good because they will be able to listen to the words.
We're keeping our language, Kija, really strong.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
I would like to thank the following Kija people who have helped with this project:
Doris Fletcher. Lulu Trancollino. Ben Duncan. Mavis Wallaby. Mary Thomas. Eileen Bray. Rosie
Malgil. Pilot Henry. Tiger Henry. Michelle Martin. Henry Achoo. Lorna Thomas. Phyllis Thomas.
Felicity Smith and Theresa Polkinghorne. Lexie Trancollino-Councillor. Ethel McLennon. Jane
Morris. Henry Achoo and Kenneth Martin.
I am grateful to Frances Kofod for sharing with me her knowledge and many years of
experience in Kija; also to Joyce Hudson and Pat Lowe for checking drafts and for
encouragement. Jirrayam.
Joseph Blythe
Linguist
:I
:I
:I.
:I
•
iSYfEityp1eosed to put out our new publication. Yuwurriyangem Kijam. It is a lovely
bOPkqn(:ilmfnlQUKijapeople will be proud when they see their language written down for
the tapes. Listening to the language will fake them back to the
anafnev'lI know who they are. The pictures will help them pinpoint some of
th~l<iQ~irrth~next generation will also be very happy to have a chance to hear the
in a book like this. People should not be ashamed tb speak their
keep on speaking what they know. As people get older. that's when
language and wish they had learned it when they were young. This
!6fOfWQrn..h~gQnfEi into producing this collection of Kija words and phrases. which is the
,'d like to thank linguist Joe Blythe and all those Kija people who shared
~~with him and helped record the phrases. as well as those who drew the
the support of the Wunan ATSIC Regional Council for their
this Pfoiect and the National ATSIC Stolen Generation Funding Program
Bonnie Deegan
Chairperson
Kimberley Language Resource Centre
fOR E W 0
R D
The Kimberley region has an unusual distribution of Australian Aboriginal languages.
All Aboriginal languages can be classified as either Pama-Nyungan or non-Pama-Nyungan.
The Pama-Nyungan group covers nine-tenths of the continent-all languages in this group
can be shown to be related. The non-Pama-Nyungan group exists in a relatively small area
E F A
c
in northern Australia and is made up of some twenty distinct language families.
E
In the Kimberley area alone there are four separate families, each made up of several
languages. Kija is a non-Pama-Nyungan language and belongs to the JawaKan family.
Gl!WIl
WoIyooIlIII
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.
lluftllbl!
:" FI'IZRO'{
lIIflYADANGA
~
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~
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...........
~mmIII
Kimberley languages are shown where
they were traditionally spoken. Since
non-Aboriginal people camEt to the
area there has been considerable
change. The arrows indicate the
general trend of movement,
(Extracted from the
Kimberley Language Resource Centre's poster
Traditional Locations of Aboriginal Languages),
~
-rIji
f
.:
HALLS
Ill! CREEl(
~
GcOIIlyamll
t ....
~ ~..........-......
\~'"
• _._ •••&>.
. ...
JBiU.
,
WMmsfm'rl
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,,
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mJU.1I tII'
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,,##
WIIngl!iJtIIllP'
KIMBERLEY REGION
OF WESTERN AUSTRALIA
I'!gaRIl
,
,,
.
KuI1RiIji!
XXtQtdlUtt ............w ... )}J.5!!J!.H rr f!?.}yrrr ....
11
11
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS, , , , , , , , , , , . • , . . IV
;;
FOREWORD
V
PREFACE.
VI
INTRODUCTION . . . . . . . . . . , . • . . . , , , . 1
KIJA SPELLING, • , •• , ,
3
ABBREVIATIONS , , . . . . . • . . . . • ,
, '1
1
MEETING PEOPLE. , . , , • , , • , , . , , , , , , ,
15
GREETINGS ..............................................•..... 8
HEADING OFF ................................................. 10
INTRODUCTIONS ..................................•............ 10
LANGUAGE & IDENTITY ..............................•........... 14
2
3
, , , , 16
FOOD. , . •
SICKNESS
&
18
HEALTH •
MEDICINE •............•...................................... 21
BUSH MEDICINE ...........................•..........•........ 21
4
KIJA
&
OTHER LANGUAGES . . . . , , , ,
22
LEARNING KIJA FROM A KIJA SPEAKER ...................•.......•. 22
LISTENING & UNDERSTANDING ..........................•..•.....• 23
LEARNING. TEACHING. KNOWING & THINKING •...................... 24
MEANING •....•..................•.....................•..... 24
s
THE PARTY,
25
6
V£HICL£S.
215
'1
LOVE
g
CHILDRSN""""
31
.• "
. . , •• ,
35
BEING PREGNANT ................•............................. 35
HAVING A BABY ......................................•........ 35
SOME TERMS FOR SMALL CHILDREN ............................... 36
TABLE Of CONTENTS
BEING BORN ..•.......•.•.••........•.......................•. 36
THE NEWBORN BABY....•.....•........................•.......• 37
GETTING BIGGER .....•...•..............•.....•..•............ 37
WHO DOES THE BABY LOOK LIKE? .•.......•..•...............•..•. 38
TALKING ABOUT AGE ........................................... 38
OTHER USEFUL THINGS TO SAY ..•...........•..•........•.•..•.•.. 39
9
JSALOUSING,FUHITING
&- HUMBUG' • • • • • • • • , , , • , • , • , 40
HUMBUG .•...•..•.•.•.....••...•....•....•..•..•...•••....••. 40
JEALOUSING ...•.......•....••.....•........•..••...•...•..•.. 41
RGHTING ............•..•...•..•.•....••.•••..•. '" .•......•. 42
INSULTS ..•.........•..••..••....•.••.......•.•....•.•...•..•. 42
& FUNSRALS
10
DEATHS
11
MONEY, . • • . , ,
. 43
. 4S
~ow
KIJA PUTS WORDS
TOGSTH£R •
41
MASCULINE, FEMININE, NEUTER & PLURAL. ••.•....•....•.••...••••... 47
NEUTER & PLURAL .•.•..••.•...•..••......•..•..•......••....•.• 51
SOMEEASY SENTENCES .......................................... 52
VERBS .•••.......••....•..••...•....•....•••.••..•.....••..... 55
FAST SPEECH FORMS OF COMPLEX VERBS ..•........•....••...•..... 59
MAKING QUESTIONS ............................................ 60
SlBtIOGRAPHY
, , , , •
TABLS OF KIN TERMS ,
WORD LIST. ,
FIND£R LIST
, .• , , . , •
61
, . 62
64
, SS
==
:I
1
:I
rise to new languages (Cattle Station Pidgin and the later Kimberley KrioD. The rise of these new
;I
languages. intermarriage between different tribal groups. the practice of removing children
:.I
•
•
•
::I
11
:11
11
•
•
•
the early 20th century as Aboriginal people became employed in the pastoral industry they
began to congregate around cattle station homesteads. Their employment on stations gave
from their parents and then forbidding them to speak their traditional languages. led to a weakening of those languages and the strengthening of Kriol. However. many Kija people lived and
worked on stations within the Kija speaking area and during the wet season many returned to
a more traditional hunter-gatherer lifestyle. This meant that Kija fared better than some neighbouring languages and today still has a few hundred speakers. The sale of the government station Moola Bulla in 1955 and the equal pay legislation of 1968 resulted in thousands of Kimberley
Aboriginal people leaving the stations and moving to centres such as Fitzroy Crossing. Halls
Creek. Turkey Creek and Kununurra. This movement further contributed to the weakening of
Kimberley languages. Today most Kija speakers live in Halls Creek and Warmun t (Turkey Creek)
and the communities of Frog Hollow. Quartz Flow. Violet Valley. Bow River. Tablelands. Iminji.
Crocodile Hole and Chinaman's Gardens. Most of these places are on or close to traditional
Kija country.
Today. Kija is an endangered language spoken in East Kimberley in Western Australia. Uke most
Kimberley languages it is not actively spoken by children. The majority of Kija speakers are elderly or middle aged. Most young Kija adults and children speak Kriol as their first language as well
==
as varieties of Aboriginal English. They may use quite a number of Kija words in their Kriol and
::;;
The Kimberley Language Resource Centre has received all sorts of requests for assistance to
=-
~O~U~ftON
English. giving these languages a Kija flavour.
help keep the language strong. These requests have come from several sources: Kija elders
concerned about the loss of their language. descendants of the stolen generation seeking to
reclaim their traditional language. parents who want their children to know their (great)-grandparents' language. health workers and language workers as well as professionals and
researchers working in the Kija area .. This list includes quite a range of people with different
t SpelledWarrmarn according to the Kifa orthography.
"A
~
r'1' ~~..;I,
\J
A PHRASSBOOK OF THS KIJA
1.""''''''4.'''''''''
needs and different educational backgrounds. What they all have in common is the desire to
be able to converse in the language.
Due to the particular linguistic situation and the differing needs of the would-be Kija learners, this phrase book had to be different from those for mainstream languages. It is not targeting the backpacker, nor the tourist who needs assistance decoding the menu. It is first
and foremost an aid to lat:lguage maintenance. Because at present the majority .of school
programmes in Kija are aural. there are very few people able to read and write Kija. For this
reason. rather than follow each phrase (as many phrasebooks do) with a confusing approximation of how it should be pronounced. it was decided to make an audio recording of all
of the phrases to accompany the book. Thus. the audio cassettes. in addition to being a
guide to pronunciation. can assist fhe learner with reading Kija.
The package is intended to equip the learner with some vocabulary to deal with everyday
life in the Kija region, to deal with practical problems and to talk about some of the things
that Kija people talk about. All of the phrases were provided by Kija speakers and approved
by them for inclusion in the book.
Being of a practical nature, the phrases themselves should allow the student to plunge
straight into using the language. After a while. questions may arise as to why you can say
this and why you can't say that so a section with grammatical information has been included. This section has been worded as simply as possible. so don't be frightened off. It is not
meant to be the last word on Kija grammar. If you can't find the answers you are looking for
f'f;<
f v;,
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there is a number of other resources for Kija available through the Kimberley language
Resource Centre. This package will complement those resources rather than replace them.
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YUWURRIYANGGM
ICIJAM
So take the plunge! Kija speakers are very proud of their language and will usually be
happy to help you learn. Remember that this package is only an aid to learning the language. Kija speakers are the ones who know the language and can teach you; they should
be your main language resource.
le
system of spelling Kija words was developed by linguist Patrick McConvell in 1984 for
the Ngalangangpum School in Warmun (Turkey Creek). The spelling system uses 24 different
letters or letter combinations (digraphs). They are:
a. aa. e. i. j. k. I. Iy. m. n. ng. I1h. ny. p.
1'.
ri.. m. fr. rt. t. th. u.
~RJA
~IF>$~~RN~
w. y
.
.
There are quite a few sounds in Kija that you do not find in English so the Kija writing system
has been adapted to cope with these sounds. That means that the letters often don't have
the same sounds as they do in English. Here is a list of all the letters in Kija and the sounds
I
;
I
they make.
a
sounds like the
u in the English word cut. It is found in the Kija word mangon (to
aa
sounds like the
I
e
sounds like the er in the English word father. It is found in the Kija word tek (Jook at,
a in the English word father. It is found in the Kija word jaam (belly).
;
see).
I
in feet. It is found in the Kija word pinarri (knowing, knowledgable).
sometimes sounds like the I in the English word hit and sometimes sounds like the ea
u
sounds like the 00 in the English word foot. It is found in the Kija word tulpum (heart).
j .
sounds like the j in the English word jump. It is found in the Kija word jaam (belly). At
I
;
I
I
I
>
!!!ill!!
!!If
I
VOWSL~
wave).
;
I
I
!liS
!SS COHSeHltH!S
the end of a word it often sounds more like the ch in the English word much. This·
sound can be heard in the Kija word woj (give).
k
sometimes sounds like the 9 in the English word go. It can be heard in the name of
the language Kija. Sometimes it sounds like the k in the English word skite. This sound
can be heard in the Kija wordpinarrlk (teach).
A PIlAASSBOOI< OF TIIS l<IJA LAN/;tfitl:i;t'
sounds like the I in the English word louse. It is found in the Kija word iaame (on top.
up high).
iy
sounds like the III in the English word million. This sound can be heard in the Kija skin
name Jawalyl. It is not like the iy in happily.
m
sounds like the m in the English word motor. It is found in the Kija word mamperr6
(wait).
n
sounds like the n in the English word nose. It is found in the Kija word nawan (cave.
hole).
ng
sounds like the ng in the English words bring and singer. It occurs in the Kija words
kunguJu (blood) and ngalil (woman). English speakers might find this sound hard to
hear and hard to pronounce at the beginning of a word.
nil
there is no sound like this in English. Put the tip of your tongue behind your top front
teeth and make an 11 sound. This sound is found in the Kija word
mempat (get
stuck/get bogged).
sounds like the l1i in the English word onion. It is found in the Kija word nyakanyJi
(uncle). English speakers might find this sound hard to hear, especially when it
occurs at the end of a word.
p
sometimes sounds like the b in the English word big. Sometimes it sounds like the p
in the English word spin. It is found in the Kija word parawul (female hill kangaroo).
i
sounds like the r in the English word run. It is found in the Kija word rangka (listen.
hear).
rl
sounds like the rl when an American English speaker says cur/or girl. It is found in the
Kija word mar/am (hand).
m
sounds like the m when an American English speaker says barn. You can hear it in
the Kija word pumul (a fly).
rr.sometimes sounds like the rolled r in Scottish English or sometimes like the n in butter
······wh$Osaidvery fast. It is found in the Kija word jarrakpu (word, story, language).
d$OOhdslikethe I'd or the rt when an American English speaker says card or cart. It is
~9l..1ngdrrthe Kija word kartakpu (cup, pannikin, billycan).
$Q~tirnes sounds like the cl in the English word dog. Sometimes it sounds like the f
stun. It is found in the
Kij~
word taparuny (pelican).
J~~lS:nosound like this in English. However it is similar to the th in that. Put the tip
Y99ftgngue behind your top front teeth and make a t sound. This sound is found
ttijl<l!Clword thalngcm (Snappy Gum).
~~lIl(e
the 'IN in the English word Wednesday. It is found in the Kija word
gfl(brHbe tired, be lazy).
~M(;Islike the y in the English word yellow. It is found in the Kija word yakum (tell
fS!/ll~pelling
conventions to be aware of. Firstly, a
'IN
that occurs at the begin-
!::Jut before a u is often silent as in the word wumperfoma (they said m.ln Kija
•
with a vowel so a
Vi
is put at the front even if it can't be heard
~PSLLtN.
eONVSN!IONS
at the beginning of a word but before an i is often silent, as
•••
11
==:;;
hrAlnnn vowel sounds. This is how they are written:
ea in the English word easily. It is found in the Kija word j/yillny
'\Q$JIf<'~fhe 00 in the English word pool. It is found in the Kija word minyjuwum
a
~
..
~
•
A PllAASSBOOl< OF TIIS KIJA LANGUAG.S
There are also combinations of sounds that need to be distinguished from the ng sound
(see above). You hear these sound combinations in English too but the English spelling is
confusing. When writing Kija these sounds are spelt differently to make it clear.
og
is q single sound like the ng in the English word singer. It can be heard in the Kija
word kungulum.
ngk is a combination of ng and k and sounds like the ng in the English word finger. It can.
Of:' heard in the Kija word warangkon (fast).
ok
is a combination of nand k.lt sounds like the ng in the English word engorge. It can
be heard in the Kija word pinkllfpClI (push turkey).
Most Kija words are stressed on the first syllable.
4$
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YUWURRIYANGS~
I<IJAI4
.
.::~~
.Ji./
I
I
i
I
I
3
I
I
i
I
adj ........... adjective
cov ........... coverb
dem ..... , ... .demonstrative
iv ........... .inflecting verb
m ........... .masculine
f ............ .feminine
n ..... ....... .neuter
N ........... .stative suffix
pI ........... .plural
qu .......... .question
gen ......... .generic
lit ........... .literally
;
;
;
I
I
m
I
I
I
I
A PHRASSBOOK OF THS KIJA
."••TIN.S
'e
way Aboriginal people in the East Kimberley greet each other may seem strange to
people who are new to the area. If you aren't used to it, it can sound as if people are being
quite rude to each other. This is not the case. Traditionally Kija people didn't say Hello. One
of the most common Aboriginal English greetings is What now? This really means something
like: What's happening? or What are you doing? or What have you got for me? The standard answer to this question is Nothing. Not surprisingly, greetings in Kija may be quite similar to these Aboriginal English ones. These expressions are often accompanied by hand gestures.
f:lU.S'ftON
ANSW.R
Kapuwa? . , • , " " , , ....... " . , ..... , , .. , .... ,Nguwangaman,
What is happening? ....................... .Nothing.
Kamlnya? , ..... , ........... , ...... , .... , .Nguwangarnannga,
What now? .............................. .I've got nothing.
What have you got?
::I
:I
::I
::a
==
Nyungkayanmangu? t ..............Wentha. jirrayanngal
Jirrayanmangu? .................... Yeah, I'm alright!
Are you OK?
Karrunyo, nyungkoyanmongu? .......Warrernpenngake.
What now, are you alright? .......... .I'm sick.
..
Yilkuwurrunngoke.
cm
I feel lousy.
. . ." .
. ..
Jaam menkowuwurrunngake,
==
I'm feeling sad.
(lit: I don't feel good in the belly,
:I
The Kija language expresses emotion and well-being in terms of how people feel in the
11
==
==
==
11
stomach (jaam). If you are happy you feel good in the stomach. If you are sad. anxious or
upset you have a bad feeling in the stomach. Likewise. if you like something. it makes you
feel good in the stomach.
Anothel'common wo,y of greeting people is to ask where someone is going or where they
==
••
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a
==
:;;
;I
ANSWSR
~.!tijlt(l?
........... '...... ,,.... ,.,....Ngeneka ngenanke.
0l~~ateyou going? ..................... .I'm staying here.
KRlmjjifa? .................. , , .........Pirlwu ngenarike taankill pakuklrrem.
Wi'!Haje)yoUgoing? ..................... .I'm going home to lie down.
Ki~~Y~tKWYinha? .................. , ....Ngulungulun kerlim:mg ngenayin Puruwumpiny.
Wb;~al'dYo(Jcomefrom? .................. Yesterday I came from the west, from Broome.
t Where there are two ways of saying the same thing. both are given.
0"
~irfayam.
NyungkClyam.
Seeyou.
i\I1~ff:a. ng~nartke, .nyungkcyam pemenha,
rm going, take it eopJ!.
Kara1ek tlmpimnhangu.
I'll see you later.
KerQkt~k .timpimnhangu ngulungu)un.
I'll see you later in the q{temQOn.
When people are introduced. or when they introduce themselves, they usually start with
their skin (subsection) names. It is important for people to know each other's skin-names in
IH'ltOPVeTIOHS
order to know how to relate. ~f you are introduced you will often·be told people's skin names
and how you are to relate to them. There are eight skins; each has Cl masculine and feminine name. Some skins have more than one name.
KA.'CUWNS
p~ln
Jungurra ....................... Naminyji
Jangala ....................... Nangala
Jampin ........................ Nompin
Jakarra ........................ Nakarra
Jaangan ....................... Naangori
Jawalyi ........................ Nyaajarri
Jawon/Jawanji/Jonama .......... Nyawona
Juwurru/Julama ................. Nyawurru
The above forms are the ones you would use when you are speaking directly to someone.
When you are speaking about someone the skin names usually have the forms given
below:
':YUWURRIYANGSM
I<IJAM
:I
:;
:;
MASCUL1NS
'SMtNINS
Jungurrany ..................... Naminyjili
Jangalany ..................... Nangalal
:m
Jampinji ....................... Nampinel
==
==
::;
Jakarrany ...................... Nakarral
==
Juwurruny/Julamany ............. Nyawurrul
::;
=I
:.;
".
~
==
:;;
:.;
11
11
11
:I
•
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:I
~.'"
~
*
Jaangariny ...................... Naangaril
Jawalyiny ...................... Nyaajarril
Jawanji/Janamany .............. Nyawanal
Everybody is related through the skin system. Once you know people's skins it is possible to
work out relationships. The relationship terms are listed in the Table of Kin Terms on p62.
Here is a possible dialogue as two men meet:
SPSAl(SIl
1
i:PSAl(SR
14
l\igayinti JUl"Igufranngake, " , .. , ... , , .......... , . l\igayinkamiyi Jungurranngake,
I'm a Jungurra................................ I am also a Jungurra.
Nyingantl ngaJinngungu ngakinyinngungu
nga)lny jungulTanyayl. ......... , ... , ... , ....... l\iyungkayam. ngunyjum ylntiyi.
We are both Jungurra so you are my brother. ...... Alright give me some tobacco.
Here are some sentences that you might say if you are introducing a friend:
NginyJlny Jakarrany.
Nyingan pemeningi
Kayimiiinya nginiyin?
Nyakayi,
Where does he come from?
This man is a Jakarra. You call him Uncle.
Kayimilila nyaniyinya?
Ngeiei Nakarral ngajikal. Kurayl, pemengiyi.
Where does she come from?
She is his sister; a Nakarra. You call her Mother.
A PflRASSBOOK OF TflS I<JJA LAIIIGtlAG£
Kayimilinya kurakul'any nginiyin?
Where does that old man come from?
Ngeleli fhamanyilngake nyakanypnuwa, nyakanyjinuwa
thamanyll ngele!.
Kayimilila nyamanelt nycmiyinya?
Where does that elderly woman come from?
She's my cousin from my mother's side, from my mother's brother.
Kayimilimangu naniyinha?
Where do you come from?
Ngurrungamannga ngirripawurrunnga.
I'm from a long way away.
I\Igelel thamanyil ngapuwalungkal kawangelngiya.
She's my cousin from my father's side, from my aunt.
Janya ngakenyji ningkuwuny.
Tanya ningkiwinyngake.
He's my relation/countryman.
Ngelel ngakenyel ningkuwul.
Ngelel ningkiwilngake.
She's my relation/countryman.
PuyummgmlUnnga.
I come from the North.
Kel1irrangmilinnga.
I come from the west.
Nyingan kangkakanhangu. Ngayin nyawanannga, nylnganti
Jungul'ranngu kangkakanha.
You are my kangka.1 am Nyawana and you are Jungurra so you
are my kangka.
Kapa nginpimningki1
What do I have to call you?
Kar/i, nimpimngim.
You have to call me karlL
Kangkayl. nimpimngirrl.
You have to call me kangkayi.
l\Iylngangkurriny nyakanykurriny tanyi, nhowun nguwlmningld
karll.
He's your uncle, he has to call you karli.
Nyinganti nlngkuwunngungake.
You're my relation/countryman.
Tanyi nyuwwngamany lampungamany.
He's from the south, from Lamboo.
Tanyl taawany taampurru.
He is a traditional owner.
Ngelel taawal perrempurru.
She is a traditional owner for this place.
Yakenginy kamaliwany, nguwan ngarra nemenke.
That other bloke is a stranger; I don't know him.
Ngaylnti Tarrkikrikwangkunngake.
I'm from Turkey Creek.
Ngenawarike mulapulun nawarrow ngenaylnte tarrkikrikjln.
I was born in Moola Bulla but I grew up in Turkey Creek.
Kangkayi, parringirrijju nengkei'rapen.
You two have to call each other kangkayi.
YUWURRIYANGSM
KIJAM
t Cultural Note: The word for elderly woman. nyamanel
is a/so used to refer to a white woman.
a
11
11
If someone doesn't tell you what their skin group is you may need to ask them.
•
~
•
=I
:I
:;;
::;
:.;
..
People usually use a skin name or a relationship term in preference to using each other's
own names as a means of address. Personal names, particularly blackfella names* or bush
names are not to be used lightly. It may even be considered offensive to ask someone their
name directly. It is often safer to ask through a third person.
~
=I
tI
:;;
•
•
:;
11
*t
Traditional names in an Aboriginai language.
Name that comes from English.
A P\!!lASEBOOIt OF '!'\!S J(tJA LANIH1Ati1g:
~J~.~UA~~
MtRtY
In the east Kimberley, Aboriginal people often describe themselves by the languages they
speak. The phrase Nhawunti Kljapany. He's Kija, really means that he knows and controls the
Kija language. Kija speakers from one area often comment on how the speech of Kija
speakers from another region is different from their own. Linguists call the different regional
varieties of a language dialects. Sometimes Aboriginal people have names for the different
dialects and sometimes they don't. Sometimes the name for 0 dialect might only be used
by speakers of a different dialect. These days I.ungka and Kuluwarrong are the two main
dialects of Kijo. Lungka refers to the variety of Kija spoken around Halls Creek, and to the
people who speak it. It is often referred to as Halls Creek Kija. Kuluwarrang, which has also
been referred to as Jarrak, is spoken around Turkey Creek and is often referred to as Turkey
Creek Kija. Many Kija people will not actually use these names but they will express the differences as heavy and light. It is hard to say what exactly people mean by these terms.
However. when someone claims to speak heavy Kija and they say that someone else
speaks light Kija, there is no doubt they mean the other person's speech is in some way different from their own.
~
k
Nyawai1ai jalTck Jsme Kijam.
Nyawana speaks Kija.
Ai
YUWURR.IYANGIl)ll
Ngurriny jarrak kerns Kijam,
He speaks Kija.
KIJAM
Nhawui1ii Kijapany,
He's a Kija man.
He speaks Kija.
•
::;
:;;
:;,
==
Ng~Kilapal.
She'soKya woman.
She speaks KMI
:;:j:~~~~;ii;~i;i~~i~~r{~¥#~~;:::~::::;"~:~
Nhawun• Kijapany
11
11
11
Ngeneka jorrokkol'fi yarru~~pel'fem jumpum Kijampi.
Kija.
rolfeng~rram jal'fa~;~;~~~rrurnfaR)9Qfpmpem Kijam.
here are speaking light Kija.
He is Kgabut he d
Thuwurra nyingangkurrum jarrakpi Jorrak teme?
a
:;;
.,.,.".",.,."""""""""""""",."""""""""""""""""'' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' t}'
What language are you speaking?
Thuwurra jarrak jems fall?
Nhawunfi Kijapany jalTok keme yokengam Jarum.
What language is she speaking?
He's Kija but he talks Jaru.
"Yndtls~fre"$Q
Nginyjiny Jarupany jarrak kerne ~.IJ~~M!""""'"",.,.,.
He's Jaru but he speaks
Yokengom jOffgmIJ,iaQ
:11
:;;
11
11
11
! fij
11
11
:;
I
;;
I
A PHAASESOOK OF THE KIJA LAr.tGtrAIUit'
I
n Kija it is normal to make a distinction between miyalem (meat) and may/m (non-meat
/~
ood).
di!:":
r/-Q-:i[;/)?,
......
Karninya mlyalem?
Is there any meat?
{j
,{ ~'-t. -:? "
rI-'"-
Junamannama miyalem kaminy~~W
Did you get any meat?
~
Kapajarroma mlyaiem junanynhangim?
What kind of meat did you bring me?
Walampum nunanykengu jangklrrem,
Bring me meat. (Speaking to one person).
Nengkenowan miyale pampsiYanyngint
You lot bring me meat. (Speaking to more than
two people).
PampSiTonyju miyale tarn,
You two bring me meat.
I brought you some rib bones to eat.
YUWURRIYANGSM
KIJAM
t For a discussion of coverbs see p57
\.\
~
::I
Yilkuwurrunnga miyalpawurrunnga.
:;;
I'm not too good, I've got no meat.
~
~
••
•
:;;
~.'
~
11
11
'!!!!!!!!!ll
~
III
;;
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11
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Jirrowukum penemnnanga miyalem ngakinype.
Get me one piece of meat.
-,~~
Wupu penayiiji mayim menkawum.
He cooked this good food on the coals.
Perrem mayim wupungem.
The food is cooked.
WUlUm menkawum ngarak nunpumkengu kUyingen.
Now I'll make you a nice stew.
Mayim perrempi penawarrenji peITjilke,
This food is overcooked, it's too dry.
Nengkerrawan ngarak jampirrimnna mayim.
You lot make some damper. (Speaking to more than two
Mayim perrem jumanykai1am wela plnaninngu wupukii1em.
Hey, it's delicious, you're a good cook.
people).
Nengkerrawan kapinga jirri jarrajfna mayim ngarakklrrem.
You lot show him/her how to make damper. (Speaking to more
than two people).
§
Miyalkeny kirlirli ngenom,
I'm walking around looking for meat.
Mamejam yiikuwurrum.
It's too hot like fire.
Perrem yilkuwurrum paitarl'jim moyim.
This food has got too much chilli.
Perrem mayim walurrpam.
This food is hot (eg.just out o(the oven).
Kawirlikpu pUflUwunpu mayim.
The food is getting cold.
Perrem mayim kernkam.
This food is raw.
Perrempi mayim menkawum. kertkarra penayanyji.
He cooked this wonderfully.
t White person's fOOd.
.<
j
Wariwum menkawukkarri junamennha wariwuk.
You put something spicy in it to make it taste really good.
Perrem menkawum, menkawuyijlyam ngarejam,
It's really good and sweet.
Tam kipingamam mayim yuwurrayangem.
That is our bush food.
ferrem wajpalakirrem mayim menkawum.
It's good kartiya food.t
Perrempi wal'l'ayelpamanyji? Yilkuwurrunngake karajpeka
ngaremperra. nguwal1 jong nginpim.
Has it got any sugar? I'm a diabetic, I can't eat sweet things.
MalTa yarrutja piya yarrufja piji yarrum menkawumenKawum
jangklrrem,
Let's go shopping and we'll get something nice to
Kapungerreka ngari'kalem mayimpurru?
How much does the food cost?
~Rre~H~~~
&
NISA~~1ID
Grammatical Note:
In Kija the body and body parts are always neuter. The person to whom the body part
belongs takes the appropriate masculine or feminine gender suffix (for him or her) or
the appropriate pronoun clitic t (for you. me or us).
WCm'empenngake menkawuWIJmJnnga,
I'm not too good, I'm very sick.
Yilkuwununngake.
I feel lousy.
Yinfekpany melngampanyningi.
Marra ylntetha meingampany marra
Jaam menkawuwumJnngake,
I'm sick in the stomach.;
ylntekpany,
Take me to the doctor.
I'm feeling sad.
i<apak!rrema?
What is wrong?
Nyingen kapakirrenhangu?
What is wrong with you?
YUWURRIYANGSM
I<IJAM
Jirrayanngake,
I'm alright.
Kapakelienyi tany!?
What is wrong with him?
t See Table Page 54
t See Cultural Note: Chapter 1
I
I
I
:I
i!i!!I!I.
III
KunthuRkayan ngelamante tinyjirr ngeiamante waylni.
NgmempeRa yilkuwul'I'iny karajpeo
I've been coughing and sneezing.
He's diabetic.
Kungkllrrpal kakampi yilkuwllrrut
Kapakil'l'el tala?
What is wrong with her?
Poor thing, she's got the ffu.
Teperrngel nganllngkl.lm.
She's got a broken arm.
NgarempeRa yilkuwurrul karajpe.
She's diab,etic.
g
lepel'!' nyanuwartJa nganunglrum.
Ngarempel'l'a karajpe yilkuwurrunngake.
She felf and broke her arm.
11
I'm diabetic.
'!!!I!I!Il
Karajpe yilkuwurrunngake nguwan jang nginpim ngarempi
11
warrayele.
I have diabetes, I can't eat sugar or honey.
-..
....
~
-•
Ii!i!!!I'I!i
~
~
~
.
~.
~
:.
...
'.:...
..........
.'-----,,
\
Yilkuwurl'iny fuipum marra iijpala nglnaal1ji.
"\
,
\
He had a heart attack and died.
Vilkuwurrunngake paliyal'!'am.
I have a bad leg.
~
•
Yilkuwurriny tulpum.
He's got a weak heart.
Nyungkayanmangu?
Are you OK?
Lal1pu ngenal1ke kllngkuillm.
Ngarrkaiem yilkuwurru nginini mil'l'mirr ngininl pol1ail nginlwal1jl
l
\
\
\,\.
\
\..";:::;;:':>
I've got a headache.
Kalyulyupannga.
I've got a stomach ache.
Ku~npannga.
I've got a cold.
:~
~
~
ngul'!'onype wuspitelakill,
He had a heart attack so they took him to the hospital.
Yilkuwurru nginini thurrururu ngininl.
He had a stroke.
~
Menkawunngake.
, D j
Menkawunnga karajpe. \~j
I feel good.
;/-' '--'\
! 11'
A \
Yilkuwurru ngenani menkawu ngelamangke.
~
~
~
~
Mirrjipannga manamo
I've got a boil on my backside.
I wasn't well but now I feel better.
~q~ .• ~tbl;.trrl<ayan.nge!amante nyikanfi.
Menkawu ngeiamenke.
I'm beginning to feel better.
A PHRAS£BOOI< OF TH£ I<IJA LANGlIA,!!~
Ngamarranykany wert kiniyiiji,
Kaya majarr neme?
Where does it hurt?
He was bitten by a snake.
Ngaiany ngurramangpu marrama yartyart kinini tijpaia
Walurrjanngake karajpe.
nglnlwartji.
They sung him and he started shaking and died.
I'm hot. I've got a fever.
Yllkuwul'lU ngenam mamijanngake ngenawalTenji muwulum.
I'm feeling sick, my forehead is as hot as fire.
Mayimplm yilkuWUl'IUk wanama jaam.
Mayimpirri yilkuwurruk wumperramangpe ngurruwam.
Jaam majarr ngenam yilkuwurrunanyjingake.
I feel pain in the belly, I think I'm not well.
They got food poisoning.
Nyamanpu wumenya kurlangkei yilkuwurrul karajpe.
Poor thing, she's getting old and frail.
Nyamanel yilkuwurru wumenya purikala.
She's getting old and grey.
Kapaanyji mirrmirr ngenam yi!kuwul'IUnnga karojpe partarlanyji
nginpuwun.
I don't know what is wrong with me. I'm shaking, I feel faint, I
might fall down.
Mirrmirr ngenam panarianyji nginpuwun.
Kurakurany yilkuwul'lU wumenJi.
The old man is getting frail.
I'm shaking, I might fall down.
Nawarrapal kungulum yilkuwunul.
YHkuwul'lU wanama nguwan kh'li ngeme.
He's not well, he can't walk.
-:-:
::: ...
Yartyan ngeme therrngan ngeme.
He's having a fit.
He got food poisoning.
!
Cultural Note: To sin,g someone is to put a spell on them with a song.
Nyarll wanama nguwan kirii ngiwim.
She's got high blood pressure.
Nginyjiny yiikuwurruny kungulum nawarrapany.
He's got high blood pressure.
He's crippled, he can't walk.
Nyarliwiny jimarrawukta ngiwinjlnie kinyane,
He's crippled, he always has to stay in the same place.
iVUWURRIVANGS~
KIJAM
Menkawul kungulum.
Her blood pressure is OK.
it
:I
Nyingongkurrum merrejinpu junamurlunhama?
Ngurlukpa nanini nyingangkurrum
Have you got your medicine?
menkawukkirrem?
Have you drunk your medicine?
I
I
I
Komlnya nyingangkurrum junamurlunhama
;;
I
I
I
menkoWllkngarri nimpirrimnhapurru
Junamanhama nyingangkurrum jurlkurlkum
ngurlukkirrem?
Have you got that stuff you drink that will make
menkawukkirrem?
you better?
Nyingan jinpimnhama tarn kur!urrkirrem?
"fq~~
Have you taken your tablets?
Menkawum tam menkawukngarri
Do you need to get injections?
nimpirrimnhapum.l jurlkurlkum.
Nyingan pinarrinmangu kapukana jang
Those tablets will make you better.
j
Junamurlunhama nyingangkurrum menkawum
D
jurlkurlkum tom meni<awukklrrem?
Have you got those tablets that will make you
!i'!'!I!!
!II
better?
nimpim jurlkurlkum menkawukngarri
nimpirrimnhapurru?
Do you know when to take your tablets?
MSDICINS
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!iI!IIIII!
Yuwurriyangem kamtlwapam perrem I'Urrom
Kaminya menkawum kipingamam
ngul'lukklrrem menkawukkirrem.
We have plenty of grasses you can make a
purrunpungarri laiartkirrem?
Is there any bush medicine that is good for
drink from to get better.
headaches?
Ng\nyjiny kawurruny menkawuny murlumpurN
Menkawum tampi nmam lartpungarri pirriyan
III
lukurrkirriny.
Thiskawurru (Securinego melanthe~19.ides) is
kungkulum.
Rurram (0 bush plant) is good for making
~
~
good for washIng your eyes.
ID
;;
11
;;
.
.
•
_.~-{::-::·{:~~;ilf::~;.
.
io;I!!!!!I!II
Jumuluny menkawuny kungkurrupurru
a
jangkimny.
Boab nuts are good when you have got a
:;
cough.
!iI!I!!!'!I!!I
~
.......
.......
~,:
.USII MIPICIM.
. headaches go away.
A PIlRASSBOOI< OF TIIS I<IJA tANGUAGS
1f(RJA ~
OfH~~
~AN'~\UJA~1S~
LSAIUflNG l<IJA 'ROM
A iUJA £PSAt(SR
Jarrak pernengirri Kijampim.
Speak to me in Kija.
Pinamk ylntemnha Kijam. Kcmgkayl.
Teach me Kija, Kangkayi.
Jarrakjarrak pemengirri
ngamungamungumpuma.
Tell me a story about the olden days.
Kilingen jarrakJarrak nginpimningki Kijampim.
1'1/ talk to you now in Kija.
Jarrak pemengirri tam Jiylrrempurru
:,. Y 11 W 11 R R I Y A N G S M
K I J A M
Jarrak perM marrke.
Jarrak peme mamperre.
Speak slowly.
Mamperre Jarrak pemengirri rangka
naririangu.
Speak slowly so I can hear you.
Jarrakkalo puma !aame menkawuya,
Speak clearly.
Jarrak peme loome rangko naliriangu.
Speak clearly so I can hear you.
ngamungamungum.
Tell me that story about the kangaroo.
Perrem jal'l'akpu kumak peiiiyinho Kijayurrung.
Yakengem jarrakpu jarrak pemengirri.
Pefl"em jarrakpu kumak peniylnna
Tell me another story.
wajpalapiny.
Translate this into English.
Translate this into Kija.
::;
::;
Nylngcmjarrak pemengirri ngarrangkamim
Kapa nanini?
jarmkpu.
What did you say?
iIiIiiI!I"'!!l
~
TeUmea dreamtime story.
Kapa ngininl?
~
Neng~euapen
What did he say?
.
jarrak parrernngirri
ngarrongkamim jarrakpu.
Kapa nginininlngki?
a
You two tell me a dreamtime story.
What did he say to you?
Pemenglrri Jarrakpu nyingc:mgkurrum.
Kapa nyanini?
:;;
TeU me your story.
What did she say?
.......
Jarrakpa nemengirri ngayin?
Kapa nyaninlningki?
Are you speaking to me?
What did she say to you?
~
~
"-""':',
:;;
Wenfha. jarrak ngena
Yes, I'm speaking to
:;;
PinamnfflangtFjdifbkngarri ngenamnlngki?
Plnarrinmangu ktijjUWahimplm?
. .......
Do you understand what I'm saying to you?
Do you understand what to do?
=-
Pinarrinmangu jarrakngarrl purrum?
Do you understand what they are saying?
~
Nguwangaman, nguwan pi~arl1nngake
jarrakngarri purrum,
No, I don't understand what they are saying.
Nyinganrangkama jananynho tam
Do you understand what to say?
Jarrakjaliny pemengirri KiJampirs'l,
Say it again in Kija.
Tell me again in Kija.
Rangkakala peme!
Listen! (Speaking to one person).
·ja~,!(1m ngeme?
Rangkakala yintekpany!
DidyoUt/.ncferstand what he is saying?
Rangkakaia yintetha!
Listen to me! (Speaking to one person).
DidypY:h~aovhat
he is saying?
..........
Ny~pj~mangu
LI£!SNING •
UMPSftS!AND!MO
rangka jananynha?
Dpyouunderstandwhat he/she said?
A PHRASEBOOI< OF THE 1<1JA LANGtJAIlI!.'
Rangkakala yimperrikpanyl
Nguwan tawung nuoomenke tarn
Rcmgk.akala ylmperriktha!
You lot, listen to me! (Speaking to more than
roogkangam nunaanke Jarrakpu,
one person).
••
~."t1t
k.&:'
. TSACRINa f
. A·_'1''''· e .. tatNIU• •
I can't believe what I'm hearing.
I don't like what I'm hearing.
ngemperromenpe jarrakklrrem Kijampin1.
Plnamwu ngelamenke jarrakkinem
I'm beginning to learn to speak.
The old people are teaching me Kga.
Lingallnga ngetamenkente,
Pingmkpu ngeoonke jarrokkinem.
I'm thinking.
I'm learning to speak.
Lingaiinga ngenam Kijamplrrl,
Pinamkpu ngeiamenke jarrakldrrem Kijamplm.
I'm thinking in Kga.
Nyamancmim mariukoyilem plnantkplJ
I'm beginning to speak Kga.
. MSANlue
Kapaklrrem perrem kapa neme?
Tarn yakengepam jarrakpe.
What are you saying?
What does it mean?
It has a different meaning.
Kapakirremo wayinl nanlre!?
Kapakirrema perrempi Jarrakkam neme?
Why did you say that?
What do you mean by that?
What are you talking about?
Why did you do that?
'fhuwurrawlJ jarrak ooninl woylni?
Kapoi<irremnernengarr!?
Why did you say that?
What do you mean?
What are you talking about?
Thuwurrawu nguwan jooak nanini nylngon?
Kapakirrem perrempl?
Kirrij yarrayit jarrakpuka marram,
What does it mean?
We've finished speaking now.
. What is this for?
YUWURRIYANGSI/l
KIJAM
Why didn't you say anything?
:.;
•
•
fll«
;;
WJAlRf
~
~
:;;
;;
~
~
:;;
~.""
~
•
~
~
:;;
:;;
.
Penemnhanga ngurlukkirrem.
I(urrngawunyjanmangu?
Buy me a drink.
Reminyma naniyi?
Waj pemengirri ngurlukpu.
Ngurlukpu yintiyi.
"""'''>.
Yinfiyinna ngunyjum.
~
~
Nguwangamanngake.
Nawarram n!npemke nyikankukili
I don't have any.
ngurlukpawurrunnga
we~~ti.
~
~
~y.rvegot nothing to drink.
:::;;
V~'O'~~Bi3liny.pe(nenglrrl ngurlanyaliny.
•
iJiIiIi!!"!!!I
~
~
~
!\Igiyi, reminy ngenayin.
Yeah, I'm thirsty.
I've got nothing.
Ng~'~g(lmannga
My oath!
!\Igiyi, kurmgawunyjanngake,
Give me tobacco .
""
~.'
~
Wentha kapa!
Right on!
Give me a drink.
. ',-,-,,:,
:;;
Are you thirsty?
ngurlul'lukkirrem.
1'1/ get a carton of beer to drink for tonight.
Werlam meraangaiTiny jimpirlcmy ylntiyinha.
Give me a bottle of port.
Gi~~al1otber (drink).
Mana yitja ngurlurlukkirrem.
Givemesorne more.
Let's (you and t) go and have a drink.
A PIlRASEBOOI< OF TilE I<IJA
Marra yarrutja pip yarremnya tany memtapany nawarrany
ngurlurlukkirreny ngurrunkili.
Let's all get a wine cask and go over the!.~ to drink.
Marroma warrkkala yarra.
Wangala ngeme kanyjamperraa yakawarlam. YiiTamningl
tamplImJ kanyjampe. Wangala jaiTakngaiTi ngemepeoo tiyama
thlllngunyngarri ngeme,
He's going mad because of that lousy ganja. We warn him about
that ganja. He talks silly when he smokes it.
Let's dance.
Nylngan pirriman nulunhangoi.
Piyanynhangirri puny yinteta!
She's teasing you.
Come here and kiss me!
Ngayinkany piiTiman nulunhangu jaiajikany.
Punypuny yayingirrij.
Let's (you and [) kiss each other.
Mate, I'm only teasing you.
Tanya kllnyjm nengampumjiningi.
Yitjawanyji ngalngalpawurrunkili punyp ii"lmnr,
How about you and I going to a quiet
He's teasing you.
Janya pirrkawirrka nemenjlningi kunyjuri nemenjiningt
Ngulngangulnga yaringiiTij.
He's winding you up.
Let's (you and [) make love.
Kunyjiri nengapumjini yuwanke nemenjlnl.
Nyikawa purujklrrem yarrufjangani.
Tomorrow, we will all go and have a party.
Kayiwa plIrujkil'l'empi?
Where's the party?
Kunyjil'i oomenhangal yuwarrke nemenhangai.
Quff~-~'
fi''''\'ii~'' ~~1~)
SUI'~
\~
Where's the card game?
Kinyanekili ngakinyin toan.
..~~
In the same place, at my place.
He's flirting with you.
\:Jl(J(:O
Ili
She's flirting with you.
Wingkemangkul Kiiyingen puru) nyeme yuwarmhawum junpam.
Strewth! Now she's doing a raunchy dance.
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Nengkerrawan ngurlukkayan parremkili yakawarlany.
Go on! You lot keep drinking that rubbish (if you must).
Yilkuwul'I'iny kul'lTIgapany yilkuwurruk ngurlurluk nginlni,
He's been drinking, now he's feeling sick.
lhulnguny ngeroo tam yilkuwurrum yakawarlam.
He's smoking that lousy ganja t .
t marijuana
::,y U W U R R I Y A N G S M
K I J A M
;
;
;
:.;
;
:.;
;;
:;
Kunyjlrirlganl jengampumnha warimpirri nguny nyinpuwunya.
jimarrawun yilkuwurri nylmpim pirrimanngarl'i nyiyinji.
If you tease that girl in a cheeky way she'll sulk.
She always gets wild when he teases her.
Ngql'l'iW(]rium ngarli nyimpuwunya ngaliwarriny,
JimalTawuk yilkuwurru wumenji pirrimanngarri ngimenya.
Kel'Uk>ngarii nyimpuwunya ngaliwanyfha.
After a while she'll settle down again.
He always gets wild when she teases him.
Kunyjiringarri jengapurnnha wariwumpirri warinypu ngemenji
nguwan ngarliwu nguwirn.
When you tease that bloke in a cheeky way he'll get wild and he
Pangarinywarriny rurriJ perramlyanpiyu.
Two people are swearing at each other.
Mernmel1kalim perap permal1.
The police have arrived.
won't settle down.
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A PllAASEBOOI< OF TilE I<JJA LANGU
VlSHU~ltdS~
Grammatical Note:
Vehicles always seem to be feminine in gender. Spare parts are usually feminine in
gender. However. when people refer to some part of a specific vehicle. the part takes
the neuter gender. just as body parts are neuter.
Menkawul toli nylngongkunul ngurrkojil
kawoyin winyangkili.
I like your car even if it is small.
Tail yakengeli paliungeli yilktwNrrut
Menkawui tal ngulTkajil nyingangkurrul,
That other car behind us is no good.
nyiiamuiiunke,
I like your car, I'll keep it.
Talc paliun nyHjanfekaf nyilawuoonke
Ngelel petowul yakengel warangkan nyitja
ngunkaJiI.
This car is slow; the other car is fast.
>!UWURRIYANGS~
KIJA~
Mamlma WiJI nyeme.
It (the car) goes fast.
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.
y!lkuwu!'n.ll,
That car travelling behind is not running well.
I'm leaving it behind.
~
~
::;
::;:
Kapa naniningiyi ngurrngurrul?
ial ngurmgurrkirrel yilkuwurru wanama. JlntakJntak waanya
What did you do to your car?
kUl'mgakirrem tarn pemperrulunpllngamngiyi oononmm
Ngelel ngurmgurrkalil teperr nyanuwart.
~
~
This car is broken.
::.;
Nguwangarnal ngurrngurrkirrem tam.
~
The car's motor is broken.
~
::;;
..
Yilkuwurru wanama fanyja nyanuwart tamka wiyile.
~
-
TanyJakpu nyuwarrenjl nguwananyji fhep nyimpel1ayangpe
~
wayinikana fanyjak wanama,
The car has a flat tyre.
The tyre is going down. Maybe they didn't put the valve in prop-
:;;
erlyand that's why it has gone down.
~
~
Karninya menkawukpa juwimnha?
:;;
Can you fix it?
:;;
:;.;
:;.;
Nyingan papij janawurran tal ngurrngurrkirrem.
~
~
:.;
~
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:;
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You've cooked the engine.
nyeme yllkuwurrul.
The car is no good. It's leaking water from the radiator; and the
water in the radiator is boiling.
Thuwuthupawurrunngake menkawukkirrempi,
I've got no tools to fix it.
Menkawukkcm'i nyulunjl yilkuwul1iny, nguwan menkawuk
nyonemanyji,
The mechanic is useless, he didn't fix it.
Nguwan tan yarrlyan kawamekili yake nhempat yarrewun! Kat
yampirruwurrupja perremka pamanpe!
Look out! Don't go on that blacksoil. we'll get bogged. We must
leave this track.
Klrrij waniyit nguwana wij! yarrlrn,
The car is broken down, we won't go any further.
Kirrij wOl1iyit, nguwana wlji nyimpim. lampl
Kawayin mengerr yarrayaja.
pemperralunpengarringiyi petali ngllwangamal kimJ waniyif.
Oh well, we'll have to push it.
The car won't go any further. It has run out of petrol.
Tarn wiJlkengarr! nyimpel1amenpe yilkuwl.lm.!I, yilkl.lwurrum flak
perrayi.
The car is sick, it has a flat battery.
Ngl.lrlanyaliny yampirrajapirri tarn wurum ngurrngurrkirrempurru,
We need to put some more oil into the engine.
~
TaB ngulTngurrkirrel nyimuk nyimperraylt yilak nyanakawun.
They drowned the car in the creek.
A PIIRASSBOOK OF TlIS KIJA LANGUAGS
Nak nyimpiyanya kurmgapawurrul petelpawum.!I.
Ngenengkayana kat yinfuwurrupyamyu.
We can't go any further, the car has run out of petrol.
Leave us two right here. (Speaking to one
~;~;~·~=r~))
Kaminya meraangarrim rerrkirrem rerr yamfja.
Is there any rope we can pull it with?
Ylntekpany papjinkili.
Take me to the pub. (Speaking to one person).
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Ngurrunkili ylnfekpanyyarriyu mayarunkili mayimpurru.
You take us two to the shop to buy food. (Speaking to one
person).
Nengkerrawanyimperrekthayarre Walkrikyurrung.
You lot take us to Halls Creek.
V
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person).
Ngenengka parrenhayarre mamperre.
You lot wait here for us.
Kaminya mayipanngake muniurf yinfekpany taankill. ngakenyji
kangkayi jalungumny jumanykarrany.
Can you take me home? I've got food. Please, my beautiful
kangka.
Ngarakkam jinpimnha miriimirlim perraa peniyinha
nawmrampim, tangempi perrawa pimpirrilpeyuwu ngarrkaiem
kilyingem ruyuiampuiTU.
You write that letter and send it to the bosses, then they'll send us
money for a new four-wheel drive.
YUWURRIYANGSM
KIJAM
:;
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laing and liking. and feeling good about things is often expressed in terms of a good feeling in the belly. If you like someone they give you a good feeling in the belly. You will notice
I:
==
many references to jaam (belly).
When you are fond of someone you might say:
A PllRASSBOOK OF TIIS KIJA LANGUAcGS.:,
you are talking about a woman you are fond of you might say:
If there is more than one woman you are fond of you might say:
When you are talking about a man you are fond of you might say:
I
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When you are talking about someone else who is in love you might say:
;
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When relationships break down you might say:
;;
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Jaawal talc langkumul.
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Tal ngalil jaokil.
That woman is pregnant.
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Jaam naworrawu nyitja.
Her belly is getting bigger.
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NgurruJi yakengempirri kamkim wethet
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pinplyinya jangatam.
She's going to have a baby next month. '.'
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(~~.:~
Thomany!1 ngakenyil wethet penayitja
jangatam.
My cousin had a baby.
wethet penayit.
Ngiyi, ngalii,
Yes, she had a little girl (lit: a woman).
Marlimpal nyanemanyo.
She had a baby girl.
Jiyilinyma nginimonya?
I
Did she have a little boy?
I
Ngiyi, jiyillny.
I
11
11
;I
SAVIM@ A BABY
Yes, a little boy (lit: a man).
Marlimpooy nginimanya.
She had a baby boy.
A PHRASEBOOI< OF THE I<IJA LANGUAGj;.'
!BRMS 'OR
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Kariumpupany nginiwartjl.
Kaya nyanuwartja?
A baby boy was born.
Where was she born?
Kananypel nyanuwarija.
Wuspitale Walkrikjin nyanuwarija.
She was born in the hospital in Halls Creek.
A baby girl was born.
::VUWURRIVANGEM
J<IJAM
:;J
::;;
=-=m
Kayioonuwaria nyingan?
Where were you born?
Ngayin ngenawarlke warlarrin
ngamungamungun.
I was born under a white gum tree a long time
ago.
:a
:;a
=ilIiIiI!!!!!!!I
~
••
•
-~
~
~
~
Jirrayammaningi tampl winyanyangkempi
tany mariimpany?
Mungurrma pimmiyanpenunguwa tany
marlirnpany?
Are the other kids good with the newborn
Are they jealous of that little boy?
baby?
Ngiyi, jlrrayamkill. Puruj kurrlyinpe puny
ngumlinpe wantawantaj ngurrumenpe
ngumllnpu panyjale.
tR8· NSW80RK 8A8Y
Nguwan, melakawuya wantawantaj
ngurrumenpe waj pirringirriyan wanfajkirrempio
No, they all take it in turns carrying him around.
Yes, they are alright. They play with him, they
kiss him, they carry him around and they put
him down on the blanket.
..
~
~
~
i!iIII!!!I!I!iI
~
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=. .. ,.
· .<~.:
Tany wanyakuwarrany paampaampuny.
ThaMittle baby is fat.
Winyangkil tal kumtukai nawarrawu nyitja,
marrama kerarrpal, kirliwanyjl nyimplm,
N~awuwumenjl kumtukany tany.
That little girl is getting bigger; she's already
Hejs~ingbig.
crawling, she might be walking soon.
.stTIM8 81••Sa
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A PIlRASEBOOIC OF TilE KIJA
LAN:GctlA'''~:
_~~n
'tYll.,THS BABY
Yangurrapirri penamanya minngempi?
Who does she look like? (lit: Who did she get
that face from?)
Mlrmgem tal kurakalngiyi penamanya.
She looks like her mother. (lit: She got her face
from her mother).
Ngapukanyni mirmgem tal penamanyani.
Penamanyjingiyi milTngem kuraka!
winyangkiny.
He looks like his mother. (lit: He got his face
from his mother).
Mirmgem penamanyji ngapukanynlngi.
He looks like his father. (lit: He got his face from
his father).
She looks like her father. (lit: She has the face of
iumukaliny nglnyjiny kurakalngiya
her father).
penamooyji.
He's got a lot of hair; he got it from his mother.
YangurrapilTi penamanyji mirmgempi?
Who does he look like?
Tumupawumny ngapukany penamanyjini
iumum.
He's got no hair; he takes after his father.
Asking about someone's age in Kija is difficult since traditionally Kija people only had num-
TALIUaG ABQUT Aes
bers from one to three. Beyond that people spoke of many or a lot. Many older people
don't know their ages as few records were kept of the births of Aboriginal babies. It is possible to ask the age of young children especially if they are three years old or less, byasking when they were born. Kija expresses months in terms of moons and years in terms of rains
(wet seasons).
L$'7"'
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:::YUWURRIYANGSM
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I<IJAM
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ID
Kayikana nginiwaffji tany kumtukany?
Kayikanangiyiwa nyanuwaffja ngelel?
When was he born?
When was she born?
Wiyinanuwa merrkernpe jawurranype
Jirrawukumngiya jatam perrema
nginiwartjingarri.
He was born three months ago.
yarrunyangarripifii.
She is one year old.
Perrem yakengem yampirrimnyangarri
merrkern wirnpenanuwa jatampl.
Yarrunyangarripini Ill··
ngelel.
Next year he will be three years old.
Jangatany tany ngamunguny nginlwaffjlngarrl
Nyanuwaffjangarri y(lk.n~mpini
pangal'iny jafawarriny.
That little boy was born two years ago.
karnkim.
She was born three months<H6~.
Wanyangkiny nginyjiny jumui'lunhamangake
Piri piyanynhanungu warrkampe kenljkarri
warrkarnpanngake?
Can you look after my little boy? I have to
juwijtha pipa pumanho.
Come back here for him when you've finished
work.
working and pick him up.
Memtam yintiyinhcmungu nentemkenungu tam
11
NgiWinjimaningki?
Can he stay with you?
:;I
NgiYitngeriiyinngim ngenengka.
m
ID
;;
11
:I
11
:I
11
11
Yes.~thim stay here
with me.
OfMSR
U~S'UL
TRINGS
TO ~AY
nunfajkeni jaanim nakajam.
Give me some money. I want to get a nappy
I can put on this little boy.
Piyany wuraJ nyunykala puma.
Come here and blow your nose.
A PHAASEBOOK 01' THE lUJA LAl!I~UAl;l""
J1SA~OU~RN~~
1F
