Arabana | |
---|---|
Arabana-Wangkangurru | |
Region | South Australia; west side Lake Eyre to Stuart Range, Maree, Port Augusta. |
Native speakers
|
10 (2005) to 20 (2006 census) |
Pama–Nyungan
|
|
Dialects |
|
Language codes | |
ISO 639-3 | Either: ard – Arabana wgg – Wangganguru |
Glottolog | arab1266 |
AIATSIS |
L13 Arabana (cover term), L27 Wangkangurru |
Arabana or Arabuna /ˈʌrəbʌnə/ is an Australian Aboriginal language of the Pama–Nyungan family.
The language is in steep decline, with an estimated 250 speakers according to 2004 NILS, to just 21 speakers found in the 2006 census.
Arabana is spoken at Neales River on the west side of Lake Eyre west to Stuart Range; Macumba Creek south to Coward Springs; at Oodnadatta, Lora Creek, Lake Cadibarrawirracanna, and the Peake. Their boundary with the Kokata People on the west is marked by the margin of the scarp of the western tableland near Coober Pedy.
Arabana has three dialects: Piltapalta, which Hercus refers to as 'Arabana Proper', Wangkakupa, and Midhaliri.Wangganguru was also considered a dialect.
Most of the nasals and laterals are allophonically prestopped.