Maric languages


Maric is a branch of the Pama–Nyungan family of Australian languages formerly spoken throughout much of Queensland by many of the Murri peoples. The well attested Maric languages are clearly related; however, the amount of documentation varies between languages, and their classification is uncertain. Many Maric languages are sleeping, while some are more recently being reawakened by their respective communities. The clear Maric languages are:
  • Maric
  • *Gunggari
  • *Guwamu/Kooma
  • *Bidyara
  • *Garaynbal
  • *Gangulu
  • *Barada
  • *Wirdi
  • *Biri
  • *Warrungu
  • *Gugu-Badhun
  • *Gudjal
  • *: Darumbal
Dharumbal was added by Bowern ; it had been classified in the Kingkel branch of Waka–Kabic. It is not clear if the other Kingkel language, Bayali, is also Maric; Bayali and Darumbal are not close.

Unclassified languages

and Giya, spoken on the coast, may also have been Maric, the latter perhaps a dialect of Biri.
Of the interior, to the west, Breen writes of "Karna–Mari fringe" languages which are "a discontinuous group of languages, mostly poorly attested, scattered between Karnic and Mari languages but not showing much connection with either or with one another. The only one well attested is also the most remote geographically, Kalkutungu". This includes the Ngura languages, several of which belong to the Karnic branch of Pama–Nyungan. However, Bowern lists the Badjiri variety as Maric. Other poorly attested interior languages which may have been Maric include Ngaygungu, Bindal, Barna, Dhungaloo, and Yirandhali. Yiman was classified by Beale as Maric, but Breen disputes this, stating the language is likely Wakka-Kabic. Dixon's "Greater Maric" area listed in Bowern also includes Guwa and Yanda. See also Karnic languages for additional varieties from the area.