Ngaiawang language

Ngayawung
Lower Riverland
RegionSouth Australia
EthnicityNgaiawang, Ngaralti, Nganguruku
Extinct(date missing)
Revival
Dialects
  • Ngayawang
  • Nganguruku
  • Ngaralti (Ngaralda)?
Language codes
ISO 639-3nwg
Glottologlowe1402
AIATSISS7 Ngaiawang, S4 Ngaralti, S6 Nganguruku

Ngayawung (Ngaiawong NIGH-uh-wong) is an extinct language of southern South Australia, spoken by the Ngaiawang, Ngaralti and Nganguruku people.

The name is also spelled Ngaiyau, Aiawung, Aiawong, Iawung, Nggauaiyowangko; other names are Birta, Pitta, Pieta, Peeita and Meru.

Phonology

Consonants

Peripheral Laminal Apical
Labial Velar Dental Palatal Alveolar Retroflex
Plosive p k t̪ c t ʈ
Nasal m ŋ ɲ n ɳ
Rhotic ɾ~r ɻ
Lateral ʎ l ɭ
Approximant w j

Vowels

Front Central Back
High i iː u uː
Low a aː

References

  1. 1 2 "River's ancient language awakens after 'sleeping' for generations". ABC News. 27 February 2026. Retrieved 7 March 2026.
  2. ↑ S7 Ngaiawang at the Australian Indigenous Languages Database, Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies  (see the info box for additional links)
  3. ↑ Horgen, Michael (2004). The languages of the Lower Murray. LaTrobe University. pp. 45–56.