Presentation Type
Presentation
Location
Venue: The University of Notre Dame Australia, Broome Campus The Kailis Room & Online
Click here to join the seminar: https://notredame-au.zoom.us/j/89140494110
Passcode: 061106
Start Date
20-5-2026 12:30 PM
End Date
20-5-2026 1:30 PM
Description
It is generally accepted that there are 5 language families in the Kimberley: Pama-Nyungan on the arid southern edge, then 4 others in the tropics starting at Broome and moving east: Nyulnyulan, Worrorran (aka North Kimberley), Bunuban and Jarragan.
But is there any high level connection between the language families, in particular the 4 unique to the Kimberley? Are the language families related to each other?
Trying to work out relatedness between language families presents a considerable task!
To date, there has not been a study investigating any possible relatedness between Kimberley language families. I begin the discussion, by showing how difficult establishing a high level genetic connection would be, even just using one example word of basic vocabulary, 'foot/feet' in around 30 languages.
With virtually no exception, jina is the word for 'foot' in the Pama-Nyungan languages, the southern-most language family of the Kimberley.
In the other 4 language families of the Kimberley there are different words for foot and many more of them.
Recommended Citation
Saunders, Thomas, "Beyond jina: words for 'foot/feet' in Kimberley languages, as a first step in trying to establish connections between Kimberley language families" (2026). Talking Heads Seminar Series. 4.
https://researchonline.nd.edu.au/nulungu_talkingheads/2026/Schedule/4
Beyond jina: words for 'foot/feet' in Kimberley languages, as a first step in trying to establish connections between Kimberley language families
Venue: The University of Notre Dame Australia, Broome Campus The Kailis Room & Online
Click here to join the seminar: https://notredame-au.zoom.us/j/89140494110
Passcode: 061106
It is generally accepted that there are 5 language families in the Kimberley: Pama-Nyungan on the arid southern edge, then 4 others in the tropics starting at Broome and moving east: Nyulnyulan, Worrorran (aka North Kimberley), Bunuban and Jarragan.
But is there any high level connection between the language families, in particular the 4 unique to the Kimberley? Are the language families related to each other?
Trying to work out relatedness between language families presents a considerable task!
To date, there has not been a study investigating any possible relatedness between Kimberley language families. I begin the discussion, by showing how difficult establishing a high level genetic connection would be, even just using one example word of basic vocabulary, 'foot/feet' in around 30 languages.
With virtually no exception, jina is the word for 'foot' in the Pama-Nyungan languages, the southern-most language family of the Kimberley.
In the other 4 language families of the Kimberley there are different words for foot and many more of them.
