Thiin language

Thiin
Thiinma
Native toAustralia
RegionWestern Australia
EthnicityTenma people
Native speakers
1 (2026)
Language codes
ISO 639-3iin
Glottologthii1234
AIATSISW25
ELPThiinma

Thiin (Thiinma) is a nearly extinct Australian Aboriginal language of the Mantharta group, spoken in Western Australia. As of 2026, only one person, Peter Salmon, can speak it.

Phonology

Consonants

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

Vowels

Front Back
Close i, iː u, uː
Open a, aː

References

  1. ↑ Kriss, Sam (2025-10-29). "There is little sadder than the death of a language". The Spectator Australia. Retrieved 2026-03-12.
  2. ↑ W25 Thiin at the Australian Indigenous Languages Database, Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies
  3. ↑ "Peter Salmon is the only known speaker of his language — he wants to change that before it's too late". ABC News. 2021-01-15. Retrieved 2026-03-12.
  4. ↑ "'I had no-one to talk to': The 92yo trying to save his dying language". ABC News. 2026-04-19. Retrieved 2026-06-02.
  5. ↑ Austin, Peter K. (2015). A Reference Grammar of the Mantharta Languages, Western Australia.