Mpakwithi is an extinct
Australian Aboriginal dialect
The term dialect (from Latin , , from the Ancient Greek word , 'discourse', from , 'through' and , 'I speak') can refer to either of two distinctly different types of Linguistics, linguistic phenomena:
One usage refers to a variety (linguisti ...
of
Queensland
)
, nickname = Sunshine State
, image_map = Queensland in Australia.svg
, map_caption = Location of Queensland in Australia
, subdivision_type = Country
, subdivision_name = Australia
, established_title = Before federation
, established_ ...
.
Classification
Mpakwithi is generally regarded as a dialect of a broader
Anguthimri language, which is part of the
Northern Paman family.
Phonology
Vowels
is found in only one word.
Mpakwithi has the most vowels of any Australian language, with 16–17. It also is the only Australian language to have
nasal vowel
A nasal vowel is a vowel that is produced with a lowering of the soft palate (or velum) so that the air flow escapes through the nose and the mouth simultaneously, as in the French vowel or Amoy []. By contrast, oral vowels are produced wit ...
s.
Consonants
While other Anguthimri dialects and Northern Paman languages have three fricatives, , Mpakwithi has a fourth, . Its origin is uncertain. This is an extremely rare sound in Australian languages.
The flap /ɾ/ may occasionally also be heard as a trill
Sounds
, ʃmay also occur, but only rarely and in a small amount of words. The phonemic status is uncertain.
References
*
*
Northern Paman languages
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