Ngawun language


Ngawun is an extinct Mayi language once spoken on the Cape York Peninsula of Queensland, Australia, by the Wunumara and Ngawun peoples. The last speaker of the language was Cherry O'Keefe who died of pneumonia on 24 August 1977.
The etymology of the name Ngawun is unknown.
Wanamarra '' was spoken in North West Queensland. The language region includes areas within the Shire of McKinlay, Shire of Cloncurry and Shire of Richmond, including the Flinders River area, and the towns of Kynuna and Richmond.

Phonology

Consonants

Vowels

  • /i/ can be heard as when before /j/ or any other alveolo-palatal laminal sounds.
  • /u/ can also be heard as, and as when in word-final positions.