Pirriya language

Pirriya (also Birria, Bidia, Kunggari, Kulumali, and Kungadutji) is an extinct and unclassified Australian Aboriginal language. It was spoken by the Bidia people (also known as Biria) of the western and central western Queensland, including Barcoo Shire, Whitula Creek, Cooper Creek, and Jundah.

It is not to be confused with the Biri language and its dialects, also a Queensland language, spoken by the Biria people.

Geographically it lay between the Karnic and Maric languages, but had no obvious connection to either; the data is too poor to draw any conclusions on classification. Dixon (2002) classes Pirriya with Kungkari as a subgroup of the Maric languages while Breen (1990) suggests it may be a Karnic language.

The dental /l̪/ only rarely occurs.

The long /uː/ is considered rare.

Some words from the Birria language, as spelt and written by Birria authors include:

• Billar: spear
• Binoor: bandicoot
• Boorong: rock
• Bowra: kangaroo
• Burlo moori: good day
• Gulburri: emu
• Noka: water
• Ullatah: moon

• Bibliography of Pirriya people and language resources, at the Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies