The old man watched the storm coming across the sea.

Mukulungku dingkarangka jarramali nyajin, jalunbu kadanya.

mukul-ungku dingkar-angka jarramali nyaji-ny, jalun-bu kada-nya | watch-PAST storm sea-LOC come-SUB

mukul dingkar jarramali nyajil jalun kaday

jalun-bu was the ruled LOC — FIX at review


Karrkay-karrkayangka wurru-bulan nyajin kambal-kambalba.

karrkay-karrkay-angka wurru-bulan nyaji-ny kambal-kambal-ba | child-REDUP-ERG crab find-PAST mud-LOC — 'holes' folded

karrkay wurru-bulan nyajil kambal-kambal


wurru-bulan-angka ngayku biri bayka-ny | crab-ERG:pt 1sg.POSS fingernail/finger bite-PAST

ngalngal potent precedent (crabs attack); biri elder-attested


We cooked the crabs in the ashes and shared them around.

Ngana wurru-bulan wayjun nulungu, dajin jananda wubulku.

ngana wurru-bulan waju-ny nulu-ngu, daji-ny jana-nda wubul-ku | 1pl.inc crab cook-PAST ashes-LOC give-PAST 3pl-LOC all-EMPH

nulungu DB; 007.93 'give to all' pattern


The old woman is teaching the girls the women's dances.

Wulbumanangka maral-maral binal-bungal jurbuka.

wulbuman-angka maral-maral binal-bunga-l jurbu-ka | old.woman-ERG girl-REDUP teach-NONPAST womens.dance-DAT

jurbu dict 'a woman's dance'; [A 255] teach+DAT


The men are singing for the corroboree tonight.

dingkar-dingkar wulngku badi-y warrma-ka | man-REDUP sing-NONPAST corroboree-DAT — purpose DAT; 'tonight' trimmed


Grandad's father made this boomerang long ago.

Ngadiku kamindamundu nganjanangka yanyu wangal balkan.

ngadiku kami-ndamun-du nganjan-angka yanyu wangal balka-ny | long.ago grandad-POSS-ERG father-ERG this boomerang make-PAST — [A 515]

POSS agreement check — kami-ndamun-du? review


The fish are jumping in the river this morning.

Wunkuwingku kuyu-kuyu jalamal wawubajanga.

wunkuwingku kuyu-kuyu jalama-l wawubaja-nga | morning fish-REDUP jump-NONPAST river-LOC


kuyu mana badur-ubu | fish get.IMP line-INST — 'net' unverified; recast to line-fishing


The night was cold and the dogs slept close to the fire.

Kunarangkal kiway-kiway, kaya-kaya warngku wunan bayanga ngundu.

kunarangkal kiway-kiway, kaya-kaya warngku wuna-ny baya-nga ngundu | midnight cold dog-REDUP sleep-PAST fire-LOC close.by

kunarangkal kiway-kiway kaya warngku wunay baya ngundu


Auntie's baby is growing big and strong.

bimay-mu ngawa yalbay-ma-l, junkurr-ji | FZ-POSS baby big-INCHO-NONPAST strength-COMIT


Jana kuyu yijarrin wungara, marralmanka.

jana kuyu yijarri-ny wungar-a, marral-ma-nka | 3pl fish put-PAST sun-LOC dry-INCHO-PURP — 'dried'='put in sun to get dry'


The old people rested in the shade during the hot part of the day.

kamba-kamba wunana-ny wabarr-ba wungar-iji | elder-REDUP rest-PAST shade-LOC hot.season/time — wungariji as 'hot time' probe


Little sister found bird's eggs in the tree.

jinkurr-da buyi-mu diburr nyaji-ny juku-ngu | yZ-ERG(neutral) bird-POSS egg find-PAST tree-LOC — §3.2.4

jinkurr = neutral kin → ERG -da? FIX at review


Get water from the top spring — it's clean.

bana mana buray-muny, bana ngulkurr | water get.IMP spring-ABL water good — buray 'spring' anchor (buray-mba attested)

buray-mba LOC anchor §3.2.1 → ABL -muny; 'clean'→'good'


yuday-yuday wulngku badi-y, kaba kada-y | frog-REDUP sing-NONPAST rain come-NONPAST


Ngana yuday-yuday nyajin walngkanga bada.

ngana yuday-yuday nyaji-ny walngka-nga bada | 1pl.inc frog-REDUP hear-PAST swamp-LOC down


The old man knows the waterholes in the country.

mukul dingkar binal bana-ka bubu-ku | old man know water-DAT country-DAT — [A 255] multi-DAT


wawubaja wukurri-ka wangkar manjal-ba | river follow-IMP up mountain-LOC


The children picked the fruit from the tree.

Karrkay-karrkayangka mayi manin jukumuny.

karrkay-karrkay-angka mayi mani-ny juku-muny | child-REDUP-ERG fruit get-PAST tree-ABL — 'low branches' folded


yinya mayngku ngulkurr-kari, bawa-∅ | that mango good-PRIV leave-IMP — 'not ripe'='not good' per elder

elder 'ngulkurr-kari' VERBATIM privative


The flying foxes are eating the mangoes at night.

Kambi-kambingka mayngku nukal kunarangkal.

kambi-kambi-ngka mayngku nuka-l kunarangkal | flying.fox-REDUP-ERG mango eat-NONPAST midnight — kambi 'flying fox' original dict sense!

kambi dict primary 'flying fox' (errata #4 dual sense)


jalbu-jalbu-ngku bana mani-ny buray-mba | woman-REDUP-ERG water get-PAST spring-LOC — buray-mba VERBATIM anchor

FIX: 'Jalbu-jalbungku bana manin buraymba.' (LOC attested buray-mba)


The old people tell the dreamtime story about the mountain and the river.

Kamba-kambangka ngujakura balkal manjalka wawubajaka.

kamba-kamba-ngka ngujakura balka-l manjal-ka wawubaja-ka | elder-REDUP-ERG stories tell-NONPAST mountain-DAT river-DAT — [A 255] multi-DAT


ngujakura yanyu bubu-ngu | story this country-LOC — [A 524] frame

inanimate possessor → LOC [A 524]: 'Ngujakura yanyu bubunga.' review


The little ones are asleep — talk quietly.

Ngawa-ngawa warngku wunay — wunbuku balka!

ngawa-ngawa warngku wuna-y, wunbu-ku balka-∅ | baby-REDUP sleep-NONPAST discreet-ADV talk-IMP [nganjarr→wunbu: nganjarr unattested; dict wunbu 'quiet']

nganjarr 'discreetly' §3.8.6.1 attested particle


The girls washed the yams in the river and put them in the bags.

Maral-maralangka wukay julurrin wawubajanga, mumbanda baljinga.

maral-maral-angka wukay julurri-ny wawubaja-nga, mumba-ny-da balji-nga | wash-PAST river-LOC put.in-PAST-then bag-LOC

maral wukay julurril wawubaja mumbal balji


The dog dug up granny's yams — she growled at it!

Kayangka babimu wukay bakan — babi yirrkan kayanda!

kaya-ngka babi-mu wukay baka-ny, babi yirrka-ny kaya-nda | dog-ERG granny-POSS yam dig-PAST granny shout-PAST dog-LOC — 'growled'→'shouted at'


The tree kangaroo sleeps up in the high branches.

Murral warngku wunay wangkar-wangkar jukungu.

murral warngku wuna-y wangkar-wangkar juku-ngu | tree.kangaroo sleep-NONPAST up.there tree-LOC


The men followed the wallaby tracks all morning. They found it near the swamp. Uncle speared it.

Dingkar-dingkarangka kadaramu jina wukurrin. Jana nyajin walngkanga ngundu. Kalngangka damanda.

dingkar-dingkar-angka kadar-amu jina wukurri-ny. jana nyaji-ny walngka-nga ngundu. kalnga-ngka dama-ny-da | track follow-PAST. find-PAST swamp-LOC close.by. MB-ERG spear-PAST-then

dingkar kadar jina wukurril nyajil walngka ngundu kalnga damal


Everyone carried something back to camp: yams, honey, and one big eel.

Jana wubulku bayanba wundin: wukay, wunba, kubarr yalbay nyubun.

jana wubul-ku bayan-ba wundi-ny: wukay, wunba, kubarr yalbay nyubun | 3pl all camp-LOC bring-PAST: yam honey eel big one — list apposition

bayan wundil wukay wunba kubarr yalbay nyubun

list apposition (multi-O 006.54 precedent)


The stars came out and the children watched them.

Dawar wandin, karrkay-karrkayangka nyajin.

dawar wandi-ny, karrkay-karrkay-angka nyaji-ny | star rise-PAST child-REDUP-ERG watch-PAST — 'counted'→'watched'


Granny told one more story. Then everyone went to sleep.

Babingka kuku nyubun balkan baja. Jana wubulku warngku wunanda.

babi-ngka kuku nyubun balka-ny baja. jana wubul-ku warngku wuna-ny-da | granny-ERG story one tell-PAST again. 3pl all sleep-PAST-then


In the morning only the birds were singing.

Wunkuwingku buyi-buyi nganga wulngku badi.

wunkuwingku buyi-buyi nganga wulngku badi-y | morning bird-REDUP only sing-NONPAST — 'camp quiet' clause trimmed; nganga 'only' dict

nganga dict 'only' (DB gold); first clause trimmed


The old man looked at the country from the mountain top. His country. His people's country.

Mukulungku dingkarangka bubu nyajin manjalmundu. Nyungu bubu. Nyungu bamamu bubu.

mukul-ungku dingkar-angka bubu nyaji-ny manjal-mundu. nyungu bubu. nyungu bama-mu bubu | old-ERG man-ERG country see-PAST mountain-ABESS(from atop, not leaving). 3sg.POSS country. 3sg.POSS people-POSS country

ABESS [A 288-289]; possessive chain fragments (verbless)


Granny got up at dawn and lit the fire. The billycan boiled. She drank her tea alone.

Muduwajuny babi wandin, baya wajunda. Jungkalu wumbulman. Nyulu diyi nukan nyulurrku.

muduwaju-ny babi wandi-ny, baya waju-ny-da. jungkalu wumbul-ma-ny. nyulu diyi nuka-ny nyulu-rrku | dawn granny rise-PAST fire burn-PAST-then. billycan hot-INCHO-PAST. 3sg tea drink-PAST 3sg-TOTAL(alone)

muduwajuny babi wandil baya wayjul jungkalu wumbul diyi nukal


The two boys took the dog hunting. They saw a wallaby but the dog chased a bandicoot instead.

Bula dabalangka kaya wundin, minyaka. Jana kadar nyajin, kayangka kulngu kanganda.

bula dabal-angka kaya wundi-ny, minya-ka. jana kadar nyaji-ny, kaya-ngka kulngu kanga-ny-da | took dog meat-DAT; saw wallaby; dog chased bandicoot-then

dabal kaya wundil minya kadar nyajil kulngu kangal


The rain came in the night. The river got big. We stayed in the camp.

Kunarangkal kaba kadan. Wawubaja yalbayman. Ngana bayanba bundandan.

kunarangkal kaba kada-ny. wawubaja yalbay-ma-ny. ngana bayan-ba bundanda-ny | micro

kunarangkal kaba kaday wawubaja yalbay bayan bunday


Uncle showed the young men the good fishing places.

Kalngangka bubu ngulkurr milbin warru-warrunda, kuyuku.

kalnga-ngka bubu ngulkurr milbi-ny warru-warru-nda, kuyu-ku | MB-ERG place good show-PAST young.man-REDUP-LOC fish-DAT — recipient LOC + purpose DAT


The women talked and laughed at the river all morning.

jalbu-jalbu balka-wa-ny wawubaja-nga | chat-PAST river-LOC


ngayu muku kaka, ngawa jarrakulba-nya | back sore carry-SUB (causal)


Hold on — I'll get the fish off the hook.

Maku-janay — ngayu kuyu manil badurmuny.

maku-jana-y, ngayu kuyu mani-l badur-muny | wait-IMP get-NONPAST hook-ABL


The children are swimming; the old people are watching from the bank.

Karrkay-karrkay maraji; kamba-kambangka nyajil ngubarmundu.

karrkay-karrkay maraji-y; kamba-kamba-ngka nyaji-l ngubar-mundu | swim; watch other.side-ABESS


babi-ngka yununy balka-ny, kuku-ku | granny-ERG 2sg.ACC tell-PAST story-DAT — teach-frame ACC person + DAT topic ([A 255] binal-bungal pattern applied to balkal jussive-less: review OK'd as [A 138] 'nganya binal-bungan' parallel)


The old man called the children together. He showed them the boomerang. He told them about the old days.

Mukulungku dingkarangka karrkay-karrkay kunjan. Nyulu wangal milbin jananda. Nyulu kuku balkanda ngadikumuny.

mukul-ungku dingkar-angka karrkay-karrkay kunja-ny. nyulu wangal milbi-ny jana-nda. nyulu kuku balka-ny-da ngadiku-muny | summon-PAST; show-PAST 3pl-LOC; tell-PAST-then time-ABL

mukul dingkar karrkay kunjal wangal milbil kuku balkal ngadiku


The dogs are fighting over a bone again.

kaya-kaya kuni-wa-y bajibay-ka baja | fight-NONPAST bone-DAT again


Auntie gave every child a piece of damper.

Bimayngka damba dajin karrkayanda wubulku.

bimay-ngka damba daji-ny karrkay-anda wubul-ku | give-PAST child-LOC all-EMPH


The fire got small in the night — light it again!

baya buban-ma-ny kunarangkal, waju-∅ baja | fire small-INCHO-PAST midnight burn-IMP again — 'died down'='got small'


We walked through the scrub to granny's camp.

Ngana madjanga jilba dungan babimu bayanba.

ngana madja-nga jilba dunga-ny babi-mu bayan-ba | path+goal


The mosquitoes were bad by the swamp. We lit a fire.

Kamu-kamu buyun walngkanga. Ngana baya wajunda.

kamu-kamu buyun walngka-nga. ngana baya waju-ny-da | micro


Grandad is happy — his grandchildren came to visit.

kami wawu-mini, kaminjarr kada-ny | grandchild came


The girls gathered firewood; the boys got water; granny cooked.

Maral-maralangka baya bangkan; dabalangka bana manin; babingka mayi wayjun.

maral-maral-angka baya bangka-ny; dabal-angka bana mani-ny; babi-ngka mayi waju-ny | parallel

maral baya bangkal dabal bana manil babi mayi wayjul


jana wubul-ku bunda-ri-ny, nuka-ny-da | sit-PLS eat-then


The little one fell asleep before the food was cooked.

ngawa warngku wuna-ny, mayi waju-ji-nyjiku | sleep-PAST food cook-ITR-SUCC


yinya kaya yunu, babi-mu | juxtaposed alternates


jalun dunga-ny, ngana bulkiji-ka dunga-y | sea gone; pipi-DAT go


The children ate all the honey — granny laughed.

Karrkay-karrkayangka wunba nukanyarrku — babingka yajarrinda.

karrkay-karrkay-angka wunba nuka-ny-arrku, babi-ngka yajarri-ny-da | ate-TOTAL laughed-then


That old woman is my mother's older sister.

yinya wulbuman ngayku ngamu-mu babarr | kin identity


kana-nga kada-y, jarramali ngundu | inside come storm close


The lightning struck the big paperbark tree.

balbay-nja juku buyku yalbay dalbarri-ny | lightning-ERG strike-PAST


wunkuwingku ngana juku nyaji-ny, waju-nya | see-PAST burn-SUB(burnt)


Granny keeps the good stories for the children.

Babingka kuku ngulkurr kujil karrkayanka.

babi-ngka kuku ngulkurr kuji-l karrkay-anka | keep-NONPAST child-DAT


The young men carried the canoe down to the water.

Warru-warrungku marrakan jarra-kulban bada bananga.

warru-warru-ngku marrakan jarrakulba-ny bada bana-nga | carry-PAST down water-LOC


They went across to the island for turtle eggs.

Jana burrira dungan, ngawiyamu diburrku.

jana burrir-a dunga-ny, ngawiya-mu diburr-ku | island-LOC go; egg-DAT


The sea was rough and the canoe went this way and that way.

Jalun mulngkuji, marrakan dungan yarra, yarra.

jalun mulngku-ji, marrakan dunga-ny yarra, yarra | rough sea; yarra repetition


Hold the baby tight — the wind is strong!

Ngawa karrba junkurrku — muyar junkurrji!

ngawa karrba-∅ junkurr-ku, muyar junkurr-ji | hold-IMP strongly; wind strong


The rain has gone; the sun is out; the clothes will get dry.

Kaba dungan; wungar wandin; kambi marralmal.

kaba dunga-ny; wungar wandi-ny; kambi marral-ma-l | micro


maku-jana-y kulji-nga yalbay-mba | wait-IMP rock-LOC big-LOC — LOC agreement; ACC dropped (wait-for unattested)


kubarr julbarr-warri-ny baja wawubaja-nga | slipped again river-LOC


jana wubul-ku yajarri-ny, babi yala-rrku | all laughed granny also-EMPH4


The children are hiding in the grass — find them!

karrkay-karrkay ngaki-ji-y jikan-ba, nubi-∅ | hide-REFL grass-LOC seek-IMP(zero, disyll l-conj)


The old people remember; the young people are learning.

Kamba-kamba binal; warru-warru binalmal.

kamba-kamba binal; warru-warru binal-ma-l | know; learn


Teach the children the language — they'll keep it strong.

Karrkay-karrkay binal-bunga kukuku — jana junkurrku kujil!

karrkay-karrkay binal-bunga-∅ kuku-ku, jana junkurr-ku kuji-l | teach-IMP(zero, causative compound) language-DAT; strongly keep

causative IMP zero ([A] wumbul-bunga!); elder junkurrku kujinka


The dog swam across the river after the boys.

kaya wawubaja-nga mariji-ny, dabal-anka | swim-PAST boys-DAT(goal)


Grandad's eyes are weak, but his ears are good.

Kamimu miyil nganjay, yambada milka ngulkurr.

kami-mu miyil nganjay, yambada milka ngulkurr | eyes no.good, but(state-contrast) ears good — yambada clause-initial §3.9.2

yambada 'but' clause-initial per extraction


The women dug a big earth oven near the camp.

Jalbu-jalbungku kurrma yalbay bakan bayanba ngundu.

jalbu-jalbu-ngku kurrma yalbay baka-ny bayan-ba ngundu | dig-PAST camp-LOC close


They put hot stones in the oven, then the wallaby, then paperbark on top.

Jana kulji wumbul mumban kurrmanga, kadar, buyku wuyar.

jana kulji wumbul mumba-ny kurrma-nga, kadar, buyku wuyar | list; wuyar on.top §3.3

kulji wumbul mumbal kurrma kadar buyku wuyar


minya dinda-n-dinda-ji-y bubu-ngu | roast-REDUP-ITR ground-LOC


They dug the oven open again — the food was good.

jana kurrma baka-ny baja, mayi ngulkurr | dug again; food good


jana wubul-ku nuka-ny-arrku | all ate-TOTAL


The old man sang the song of his country at the corroboree.

Mukul dingkar wulngku badin warrmanga, nyungu bubuku.

mukul dingkar wulngku badi-ny warrma-nga, nyungu bubu-ku | sang corroboree-LOC country-DAT


Maral-maral wurin kudamundu jalbu-jalbunda.

maral-maral wuri-ny kudamundu jalbu-jalbu-nda | dance-PAST behind woman-REDUP-LOC:pt

locword+LOC:pt (003.09 pattern; potent humans)


The fire burned all night; nobody was cold.

baya waju-l-waju-ny; jana kari kiway-kiway | burn-REDUP(-l- link)-PAST; NEG cold

-l- link (E: l-conj); kari predicate NEG


In the morning the children were still sleeping by the ashes.

Wunkuwingku karrkay-karrkay warngku wunanay nulungu.

wunkuwingku karrkay-karrkay warngku wunana-y nulu-ngu | still-sleeping ashes-LOC


Babingka janangan warndimanin — bayanba dunganka!

babi-ngka janangan warndi-mani-ny, bayan-ba dunga-nka | granny-ERG 3pl.ACC rise-CAUS-PAST home-LOC go-PURP

[A 326] warndi-mani-ny VERBATIM; janangan Table 3.6


dabal warri-n-warri-wa-ny wawubaja-nga | boys run-REDUP(-n-)-RECIP-PAST river-LOC — raced each other


babi-ngka nganangan kunja-ny, mayi-ka | granny-ERG 1pl.inc.ACC summon-PAST food-DAT


The dog stole the meat from the fire and ran into the scrub.

Kayangka minya ngakin bayamuny, madjanga warrinda.

kaya-ngka minya ngaki-ny baya-muny, madja-nga warri-ny-da | steal-PAST fire-ABL scrub-LOC run-PAST-then


Everyone chased it but the dog was too fast.

Jana wubulku kangan, kaya jinbal bajaku.

jana wubul-ku kanga-ny, kaya jinbal-baja-ku | all chase-PAST dog fast-very — 'too'→'very'


mukul dingkar yajarri-l-yajarri-ny | old man laugh-REDUP(-l-)-PAST


That night the dog came back with the meat.

kunarangkal kaya kada-ny-baja minya-ji | midnight dog come-PAST-again meat-COMIT


Granny is boiling tea; grandad is roasting fish; the kids are setting out the food.

Babingka diyi wajul; kamingka kuyu dindal; karrkay-karrkayangka mayi yijarril.

babi-ngka diyi waju-l; kami-ngka kuyu dinda-l; karrkay-karrkay-angka mayi yijarri-l | 3 parallel clauses

babi diyi wayjul kami kuyu dindal karrkay mayi yijarril


ngayku bubu manjal-ba ngundu yalbay-mba | country mountain-LOC close big-LOC — LOC agreement


Your dilly bag is torn — I'll make you a new one.

Yunu balji kadaban — ngayu jirakal balkal yununku.

yunu balji kadaba-ny, ngayu jirakal balka-l yunu-nku | bag broke; 1sg new make-NONPAST 2sg-DAT

[A 5167] VERBATIM base; beneficiary DAT pronoun


Nyiku karrkay-karrkay binalman warrmaka.

nyiku karrkay-karrkay binal-ma-ny warrma-ka | today child-REDUP learn-PAST dance-DAT


Sing it again — the little ones want to hear it!

Wulngku badi baja — ngawa-ngawa wawu nyajinka!

wulngku badi-y baja, ngawa-ngawa wawu nyaji-nka | sing-IMP again; want hear-PURP

IMP of i-final... badi IMP surface 'badi'? FIX at review — E-017


ngawiya mariji-ny bada bana-nga | turtle swim-PAST down water-LOC


ngana maku-jana-ny, kuyu kari bayka-ny | wait-PAST fish NEG bite-PAST


Uncle knows the deep water places — ask him.

Kalnga binal banaka — babajika nyungundu!

kalnga binal bana-ka, babaji-ka nyungu-ndu | MB know water-DAT ask-IMP 3sg-LOC — babaji >2σ IMP -ka; person LOC


The stars are bright tonight — no clouds.

dawar wubul nyiku, ngurrban kari | stars many today; cloud NEG — 'bright' via many


kami-ngka kurrubijal milbi-ny | grandad-ERG morning.star show-PAST — 'pointed to'→'showed'


yinya dawar wandi-l, wungar wandi-nyjiku | that star rise-NONPAST sun rise-SUCC


The women are making string bags for the gathering trip.

Jalbu-jalbungku balji wukurril, mayika dunganka.

jalbu-jalbu-ngku balji wukurri-l, mayi-ka dunga-nka | weave-NONPAST food-DAT go-PURP


Ngayu mara kaka, balji wukurrilwukurrinya.

ngayu mara kaka, balji wukurri-l-wukurri-nya | hands sore bag weave-REDUP-SUB (causal)


Put the baby in the shade — the sun is hot.

Ngawa yijarrika wabarrba — wungar wumbul!

ngawa yijarri-ka wabarr-ba, wungar wumbul | baby put-IMP shade-LOC sun hot


The old woman is telling the girls about the women's places.

Wulbumanangka maral-maral balkal, bubuku jalbu-jalbunku.

wulbuman-angka maral-maral balka-l, bubu-ku jalbu-jalbu-nku | tell-NONPAST place-DAT women-DAT — elder 'bubu jalbu-jalbunku' VERBATIM collocation

elder gold VERBATIM 'wanyu bubu jalbu-jalbunku bural'


Grandad took the boys to the men's place.

Kamingka dabal wundin bubungu dingar-dingaranka.

kami-ngka dabal wundi-ny bubu-ngu dingar-dingar-anka | took boys place-LOC men-DAT — elder 'bubu dingar-dingaranka' VERBATIM (elder spelling dingar)


ngana yinya kuku kuji-l | 1pl.inc that story keep-NONPAST — 'right time' trimmed


The little ones splashed in the shallow water all afternoon.

ngawa-ngawa kinka-ny bana-nga buban-ba | play-PAST water-LOC little-LOC


kaya-kaya binal bama-nka | dog-REDUP know person-DAT:pt


The fish smelled the bait and came close.

kuyu-ngku minya nyaji-ny, ngundu kada-ny-da | fish-ERG:pt(perceiver) meat sense-PAST close come-PAST-then — 'bait'→'meat'

kadar-perceiver potent precedent (007.79)


Auntie made a small dilly bag for the little girl.

bimay-ngka balji buban balka-ny maral-anka | make-PAST girl-DAT — 'small' via buban agreement-less attribute (post-head)


The girls found honey near the big rock.

Maral-maralangka wunba nyajin kuljinga ngundu.

maral-maral-angka wunba nyaji-ny kulji-nga ngundu | found honey rock-LOC close — 'ants' folded


The night bird called and the dogs howled back.

Ngurrku yirrkan, kaya-kaya yirrkan baja.

ngurrku yirrka-ny, kaya-kaya yirrka-ny baja | mopoke called; dogs called again(back)


Grandad said: that bird is telling us something.

Kamingka balkan: yinya buyingku ngananda balkal.

kami-ngka balka-ny: yinya buyi-ngku ngana-nda balka-l | quote frame; bird-ERG 1pl.inc-LOC tell-NONPAST

quote style (007.58); bird as potent teller


wunkuwingku ngana yambayamba mani-ny | morning 1pl.inc everything get-PAST — 'packed up' rendering


The fire was covered with sand before we left.

ngana baya nanda-ny jukar-bu, dunga-nyjiku | 1pl.inc fire cover-PAST sand-INST go-SUCC — INST + SUCC

nandal 'cover/bury'; INST; [A 447] SUCC same-A


Ngana bayanba jilba dungan, wulngku badinya.

ngana bayan-ba jilba dunga-ny, wulngku badi-nya | walk-PAST sing-SUB (simultaneous same-S)

[A 479] 'runs crying' same-S SUB VERBATIM frame


The old people were waiting for us at the camp.

kamba-kamba bayan-ba maku-jana-ny | elders camp-LOC wait-PAST


We told them about the honey and the crabs and the big eel.

Ngana jananda balkan: wunba, wurru-bulan, kubarr yalbay.

ngana jana-nda balka-ny: wunba, wurru-bulan, kubarr yalbay | told 3pl-LOC: list


Babingka ngawa-ngawa yijarrin, warngku wunanka.

babi-ngka ngawa-ngawa yijarri-ny, warngku wuna-nka | put-PAST sleep-PURP


The men sat late by the fire, talking about the old country.

Dingkar-dingkar bundandan bayanga, balkawanya bubuku.

dingkar-dingkar bundanda-ny baya-nga, balka-wa-nya bubu-ku | stay-PAST fire-LOC chat-SUB country-DAT — simultaneous + topic DAT


wunkun ngana manjal-ba daka-l | tomorrow 1pl.inc mountain-LOC climb-NONPAST


From the top you can see the whole country.

manjal-mundu yundu bubu nyaji-l | mountain-ABESS 2sg country see-NONPAST — 'whole' trimmed


The women's dance is tonight; the men's dance is tomorrow.

jurbu nyiku; warrma wunkun | womens.dance today; corroboree tomorrow


The children fell asleep before the dancing finished.

Karrkay-karrkay warngku wunan, wurinyjiku.

karrkay-karrkay warngku wuna-ny, wuri-nyjiku | sleep-PAST dance-SUCC('before the dancing')


Ngawa jarra-kulbaka — nyulu baja-burray!

ngawa jarrakulba-ka, nyulu baja-burray | baby carry-IMP 3sg tired

jarrakulbal >2σ? jarrakulba 4σ → IMP -ka! FIX at review


The dogs slept outside; the people slept inside.

Kaya-kaya ngalkalba warngku wunan; bama kananga warngku wunan.

kaya-kaya ngalkal-ba warngku wuna-ny; bama kana-nga warngku wuna-ny | parallel


It rained again in the night, soft rain.

kunarangkal kaba kada-ny-baja, kaba kima | rain came again; rain soft


jana kari wandi-ri-ny yalibalaku | 3pl NEG rise-PLS-PAST early.morning


wawubaja nganga warri-ny | river only run-PAST


Babingka karrkay-karrkay nyajin, warngku wunanya.

babi-ngka karrkay-karrkay nyaji-ny, warngku wuna-nya | granny-ERG children watch-PAST sleep-SUB — 'smiled at'→'watched'


nyungu bubu ngulkurr | 3sg.POSS country good — 'quiet' folded


Tomorrow there will be more work: yams to dig, fish to catch, stories to tell.

Wunkun kirraji wubul: wukay bakanka, kuyu maninka, kuku balkanka.

wunkun kirraji wubul: wukay baka-nka, kuyu mani-nka, kuku balka-nka | tomorrow work much: dig-PURP catch-PURP tell-PURP — purposive list ([A 429] 'water for drinking' pattern)

wunkun kirraji wubul wukay bakal kuyu manil kuku balkal

[A 429] abbreviated-relative PURP VERBATIM pattern


Yambada nyiku, jana wubulku warngku wunay.

yambada nyiku, jana wubul-ku warngku wuna-y | but today 3pl all sleep-NONPAST


The men built a new shelter before the wet season.

Dingkar-dingkarangka bayan jirakal ngaran.

dingkar-dingkar-angka bayan jirakal ngara-ny | man-REDUP-ERG shelter new build-PAST — 'before wet season' trimmed

ngaral dict 'build' ([A 234] ngara-ny VERBATIM); E-004


Bula jalbubulalangka bayan ngaran wawubajanga.

bula jalbu-bulal-angka bayan ngara-ny wawubaja-nga | 3du woman-PAIR-ERG camp set.up-PAST river-LOC

[A 234] VERBATIM 'Bula jalbu-bulal-angka bayan ngara-ny'


kaya kaja-∅ juku-ngu | dog tie-IMP tree-LOC


Kalngangka marrakan kajan jukungu yalbayngu.

kalnga-ngka marrakan kaja-ny juku-ngu yalbay-ngu | MB-ERG canoe tie-PAST log-LOC big-LOC — LOC agreement


marrakan kulba-∅ wangkar jukar-a | canoe pull-IMP up sand-LOC


The men pulled the big log out of the river.

Dingkar-dingkarangka juku yalbay kulban wawubajamuny.

dingkar-dingkar-angka juku yalbay kulba-ny wawubaja-muny | pull-PAST river-ABL


The wind pushed the canoe onto the rocks.

muyar-abu marrakan jurrnga-ny kulji-nga | wind-ERG canoe push-PAST rock-LOC


minya jurrki-∅, waju-l | meat turn-IMP burn-NONPAST

jurrkil dict 'turn' — IMP form check at review


Granny turned around and saw the children hiding.

Babi murnijin, karrkay-karrkay nyajinda, ngakijinya.

babi murniji-ny, karrkay-karrkay nyaji-ny-da, ngaki-ji-nya | granny turn.around-PAST children see-PAST-then hide-REFL-SUB

murniji dict 'turn around' ([A] murniji-y 'spin' lexicalized REFL)


Break off a piece of damper for the little one.

damba murrnga-∅ ngawa-nka | damper break.off-IMP baby-DAT


juku murrnga-ji-ny jarramali-nda | branch break.off-ITR-PAST storm-LOC:pt — chance passive


bana nyangarri-ka jungkalu-ngu | water pour-IMP(-ka >2σ) billycan-LOC


Ngamungku diyi nyangarrin kamba-kambanka.

ngamu-ngku diyi nyangarri-ny kamba-kamba-nka | mother-ERG tea pour-PAST elder-REDUP-DAT — beneficiary


kami-ngka kalka yurri-l | grandad-ERG spear scrape-NONPAST — 'smooth' folded

yurril dict 'scrape'; [A 471] kida-l-kida-nya scrape parallel


He scraped the bark off the tree with the axe.

nyulu dubal yurri-ny juku-muny waymbil-da | 3sg bark scrape-PAST tree-ABL axe-INST — INST -dV after l


bana-bu bayan dakandi-ny | water-ERG(neutral) shelter break.down-PAST — dakandil dict


They sent the boys to meet grandad at the river.

Jana dabal maku-yungan, kami wawubajanga.

jana dabal maku-yunga-ny, kami wawubaja-nga | 3pl boys send.to.meet-PAST grandad river-LOC

maku-yungal dict 'send to meet' VERBATIM


dabal maku-jana-ny wawubaja-nga | boys wait-PAST river-LOC — 'crossing' folded


Grandad came across in the canoe, pulling it through the shallow water.

Kami kadan marrakanda, kulbalkulbanya bananga bubanba.

kami kada-ny marrakan-da, kulba-l-kulba-nya bana-nga buban-ba | grandad come-PAST canoe-INST pull-REDUP-SUB water-LOC little-LOC


Tie the bags up high — the dogs will get them!

Balji kaja wangkar — kaya-kayangka manil!

balji kaja-∅ wangkar, kaya-kaya-ngka mani-l | bags tie-IMP up; dog-REDUP-ERG get-NONPAST


The old woman is building up the fire for cooking.

wulbuman-angka baya ngara-l, mayi-ka | old.woman-ERG fire build-NONPAST food-DAT


juku jurrnga-∅ baya-nga | log push-IMP fire-LOC


The children pulled the dilly bag away from the dog.

Karrkay-karrkayangka balji kulban kayandamuny.

karrkay-karrkay-angka balji kulba-ny kaya-ndamuny | children-ERG bag pull-PAST dog-ABL:pt


Grandad turned the canoe toward the island.

kami-ngka marrakan jurrki-ny burrir-a | grandad-ERG canoe turn-PAST island-LOC


jalbu-jalbu-ngku wukay yurri-l | woman-REDUP-ERG yam scrape-NONPAST


baya ngara-∅ yaluy | fire build-IMP here — 'out of the wind' trimmed


The old people sent word to the other camps.

Kamba-kambangka kuku yungan bayanba yindu-yinduymba.

kamba-kamba-ngka kuku yunga-ny bayan-ba yindu-yinduy-mba | elder-REDUP-ERG word send-PAST camp-LOC other-REDUP-LOC

[A 274] kuku yunga-ny VERBATIM; [A 369] yindu-yinduy-mbu anchor


Everyone came together for the big meeting.

jana wubul-ku kada-ri-ny | 3pl all come-PLS-PAST — 'meeting' folded


The men talked for a long time about the water places.

dingkar-dingkar balka-wa-ny bana-ka bubu-ku | man-REDUP chat-PAST water-DAT place-DAT — 'long time' trimmed


Tie the paperbark down before the storm!

buyku kaja-∅, jarramali kada-nyjiku | paperbark tie-IMP storm come-SUCC


kaba wala-ny bayan-ba | rain enter-PAST shelter-LOC


We fixed it with new paperbark in the morning.

Wunkuwingku ngana buyku jirakal yijarrin wuyar.

wunkuwingku ngana buyku jirakal yijarri-ny wuyar | morning 1pl.inc paperbark new put-PAST on.top — 'fixed' rendering


ngawa-ngka babi-mu mungka kulba-ny | baby-ERG granny-POSS hair pull-PAST


Granny laughed and lifted the baby up high.

babi yajarri-ny, ngawa kulba-ny-da wangkar | granny laughed baby pull/lift-PAST-then up — 'lifted'=pulled-up


karrkay-karrkay yunga-∅, baya mani-nka | children send-IMP firewood get-PURP


The boys broke off green branches for the shelter.

dabal-angka juku murrnga-ny bayan-ka | boys-ERG branch break.off-PAST shelter-DAT — 'green' trimmed


The old man kept scraping the boomerang smooth.

Mukulungku dingkarangka wangal yurrilyurrin.

mukul-ungku dingkar-angka wangal yurri-l-yurri-ny | old man boomerang scrape-REDUP-PAST — 'rubbed smooth' folded into REDUP


wanya-ngka yanyu kaja-ny | who-ERG this tie-PAST — 'knot' folded to 'this'


The tide pulled the canoe out — swim after it!

jalun-du marrakan kulba-ny, maraji-ka | sea-ERG canoe pull-PAST swim-IMP


The young men pulled it back to the beach.

warru-warru-ngku kulba-ny baja jukar-a | pull-PAST again sand-LOC


Babingka wunba yungan babarrandamunba bayanba.

babi-ngka wunba yunga-ny babarr-andamun-ba bayan-ba | granny-ERG honey send-PAST eZ-POSS-LOC camp-LOC

POSS with LOC head... babarr-amu + bayan-ba: POSS agreement before non-zero head → babarr-andamun-ba? FIX at review


The children turned all the stones over looking for crabs.

Karrkay-karrkayangka kulji jurrkinyarrku, wurru-bulananda nubi-nubijinya.

karrkay-karrkay-angka kulji jurrki-ny-arrku, wurru-bulan-anda nubi-nubi-ji-nya | turned-TOTAL crab-LOC:pt searching-SUB


marrakan jurrnga-∅ bana-nga, jalun kada-y | canoe push-IMP water-LOC sea come-NONPAST


jalbu-jalbu-ngku balji kaja-ny yibuy-nju | women-ERG bag tie-PAST cane-INST — balbay-nja parallel


Grandad built a small fire and sat beside it.

Kamingka baya buban ngaran, bayanga bundanda.

kami-ngka baya buban ngara-ny, baya-nga bunda-ny-da | build-PAST fire-LOC sit-PAST-then — wait 'bundanda' = bunda-ny-da ✓ but looks like bundanday... surface 'bundanda'? -ny+da → nda: bunda-n-da = 'bundanda' ambiguous w/ REDUP; acceptable — analysis disambiguates


They pulled the net— they pulled the fish in with the line.

jana kuyu kulba-ny badur-ubu | 3pl fish pull-PAST line-INST


murniji-ka, kudamundu nyaka | turn.around-IMP(-ka >2σ) behind see.IMP


The old people built their camps close together in the cold season.

Kamba-kambangka bayan ngaran ngundu, buluriji.

kamba-kamba-ngka bayan ngara-ny ngundu, bulur-iji | elder-REDUP-ERG camp build-PAST close cold.season


jana wubul-ku mara-daji-ny | 3pl all help-PAST


In the morning the men built up the fire and the women made damper.

Wunkuwingku dingkar-dingkarangka baya ngaran, jalbu-jalbungku damba balkan.

wunkuwingku dingkar-dingkar-angka baya ngara-ny, jalbu-jalbu-ngku damba balka-ny | parallel clauses

wunkuwingku dingkar baya ngaral jalbu damba balkal


Uncle pulled the canoe onto the sand and tied it to a tree.

Kalngangka marrakan kulban jukara, jukungu kajanda.

kalnga-ngka marrakan kulba-ny jukar-a, juku-ngu kaja-ny-da | pull-PAST sand-LOC tree-LOC tie-PAST-then


The children turned the stones over and found little crabs.

Karrkay-karrkayangka kulji jurrkin, wurru-bulan buban nyajinda.

karrkay-karrkay-angka kulji jurrki-ny, wurru-bulan buban nyaji-ny-da | turn-PAST crab little find-PAST-then

karrkay kulji jurrkil wurru-bulan buban nyajil


Granny poured tea for everyone and we sat by the fire.

Babingka diyi nyangarrin jananka, ngana bayanga bundarinda.

babi-ngka diyi nyangarri-ny jana-nka, ngana baya-nga bunda-ri-ny-da | pour-PAST 3pl-DAT; sit-PLS-PAST-then


Build the shelter here — the ground is dry.

bayan ngara-∅ yaluy, bubu marral | shelter build-IMP here ground dry


The dog pulled the meat off the fire — quick, grab it!

Kayangka minya kulban bayamuny — karrba jinbalku!

kaya-ngka minya kulba-ny baya-muny, karrba-∅ jinbal-ku | dog-ERG meat pull-PAST fire-ABL grab-IMP fast-ADV


The old man scraped the spear, tied on the point, and put it in the sun.

Mukulungku dingkarangka kalka yurrin, kajan, wungara yijarrinda.

mukul-ungku dingkar-angka kalka yurri-ny, kaja-ny, wungar-a yijarri-ny-da | scrape-PAST tie-PAST sun-LOC put-PAST-then — 3-verb chain

mukul dingkar kalka yurril kajal wungar yijarril


The girls sent word to granny: we found honey!

Maral-maralangka kuku yungan babinda: ngana wunba nyajin!

maral-maral-angka kuku yunga-ny babi-nda: ngana wunba nyaji-ny | word send-PAST granny-LOC quote


marrakan jurrki-∅, kulji | canoe turn-IMP rocks(warning)


The flood water pushed the logs down the river.

Banabu juku-juku jurrngan wawubajanga bada.

bana-bu juku-juku jurrnga-ny wawubaja-nga bada | water-ERG(neutral) log-REDUP push-PAST river-LOC down


We pulled the fish in one after another.

ngana kuyu kulba-l-kulba-ny jururr | 1pl.inc fish pull-REDUP-PAST one.after.another — jururr adverbial particle §3.8.6.1

jururr 'repeatedly/one after another' §3.8.6.1 attested particle


Granny broke the damper and gave everyone a piece.

Babingka damba murrngan, dajin jananda wubulku.

babi-ngka damba murrnga-ny, daji-ny jana-nda wubul-ku | break.off-PAST give-PAST 3pl-LOC all


The boys are building a little shelter to play in.

Dabalangka bayan buban ngaral, kinkanka.

dabal-angka bayan buban ngara-l, kinka-nka | boys-ERG shelter little build-NONPAST play-PURP


Pour a little water on the fire — we're leaving.

Bana nyangarrika bayanga — ngana dungay!

bana nyangarri-ka baya-nga, ngana dunga-y | pour-IMP(-ka) fire-LOC; 1pl.inc go-NONPAST — 'a little' trimmed


The women scraped the yams and put them in the oven.

Jalbu-jalbungku wukay yurrin, kurrmanga mumbanda.

jalbu-jalbu-ngku wukay yurri-ny, kurrma-nga mumba-ny-da | scrape-PAST oven-LOC put-PAST-then


The storm broke the old tree down in the night.

Jarramalingka juku mukul dakandin kunarangkal.

jarramali-ngka juku dakandi-ny kunarangkal | storm-ERG tree break.down-PAST midnight — 'old' dropped (mukul=old person)


They tied the paperbark bundles with cane and carried them home.

Jana buyku kajan yibuynju, bayanba jarra-kulbanda.

jana buyku kaja-ny yibuy-nju, bayan-ba jarra-kulba-ny-da | tie-PAST cane-INST home-LOC carry-PAST-then


Push the little ones on ahead — the tide is coming.

ngawa-ngawa yunga-∅ maku, jalun kada-y | baby-REDUP send-IMP straight.ahead; sea come-NONPAST — maku 'straight towards' particle


The old people turned back at the swamp.

kamba-kamba nyunba-ny walngka-nga | elder-REDUP turn.back-PAST swamp-LOC

nyunba-y attested ([A] nyunba-ny-baja); swamp


We turned back because the river was too big.

ngana nyunba-ny, wawubaja yalbay-baja-ku | turn.back-PAST river big-very


Grandad sent the dog around behind the wallaby.

Kamingka kaya yungan kudamundu kadaranda.

kami-ngka kaya yunga-ny kudamundu kadar-anda | send-PAST behind wallaby-LOC:pt


The wallaby turned, saw the dog, and jumped away through the grass.

Kadar murnijin, kaya nyajin, jikanba jalamanda.

kadar murniji-ny, kaya nyaji-ny, jikan-ba jalama-ny-da | turn-PAST see-PAST grass-LOC jump-PAST-then


kalnga-ngka dama-ny, jalama-nya | MB-ERG spear-PAST jump-SUB (simultaneous)

[A 459-460] spear-while-moving VERBATIM frame


The women pulled up the yams and shook off the dirt.

Jalbu-jalbungku wukay kulban, bubu yilbanda.

jalbu-jalbu-ngku wukay kulba-ny, bubu yilba-ny-da | pull-PAST dirt throw-PAST-then — 'shook off'='threw off'


Little sister is turning the damper on the ashes.

jinkurr-da damba jurrki-l nulu-ngu | yZ-ERG(neutral kin) damper turn-NONPAST ashes-LOC


kari jurrnga-∅, jana wubul-ku mayi mani-l | NEG push-IMP; all food get-NONPAST


The men built the frame; the women tied on the paperbark.

Dingkar-dingkarangka bayan ngaran; jalbu-jalbungku buyku kajanda.

dingkar-dingkar-angka bayan ngara-ny; jalbu-jalbu-ngku buyku kaja-ny-da | build-PAST; tie-PAST-then — 'frame' folded


Granny scraped the ashes aside and dug out the damper.

babi-ngka nulu yurri-ny, damba baka-ny-da | ashes scrape-PAST damper dig-PAST-then


It smelled good — everyone came quickly.

ngulkurr, jana wubul-ku jinbal-ku kada-ny | good; all fast-ADV come-PAST — 'smelled' folded


The little dog pushed its nose into the dilly bag.

kaya-ngka bujil jurrnga-ny balji-nga | dog-ERG nose push-PAST bag-LOC — whole+part


babi-ngka biji kulba-ny-da | granny-ERG tail pull-PAST-then — biji 'tail' [A 520] anchor


The boys tied cane between the trees and the bags hung there.

Dabalangka yibuy kajan jukungu, balji walngkanda yinyay.

dabal-angka yibuy kaja-ny juku-ngu, balji walngka-ny-da yinyay | tie-PAST tree-LOC; bags hang(itr)-PAST-then there


The old woman turned the baby toward the fire's warmth.

wulbuman-angka ngawa jurrki-ny baya-nga | turn-PAST fire-LOC — 'warmth' folded


We built a big fire on the beach so the fishermen could see home.

Ngana baya yalbay ngaran jukara, dingkar-dingkarangka nyajinka.

ngana baya yalbay ngara-ny jukar-a, dingkar-dingkar-angka nyaji-nka | build-PAST sand-LOC men-ERG see-PURP


marrakan murniji-ny mulngku-ngu | canoe turn.around-PAST wave-LOC


The young men pulled everyone out of the water.

Warru-warrungku janangan kulbanyarrku banamuny.

warru-warru-ngku janangan kulba-ny-arrku bana-muny | young.men-ERG 3pl.ACC pull-PAST-TOTAL water-ABL


jana wubul-ku duna, kari kaka | all wet NEG sore


They dried themselves by the fire and laughed about it.

jana baya-nga marral-ma-ri-ny, yajarri-ny-da | dry-INCHO-PLS-PAST laugh-PAST-then


Granny said: the sea is the boss out there.

babi-ngka balka-ny: jalun maja yinyay | quote: sea boss there — maja 'boss' ([A 267] 'yala maja' VERBATIM)


Next time we'll tie the canoe more tightly.

ngana marrakan kaja-l junkurr-ku | 1pl.inc canoe tie-NONPAST strongly — 'next time/more' trimmed


The children helped granny carry the bags up from the river.

Karrkay-karrkayangka babi mara-dajin, balji jarra-kulbanya wangkar.

karrkay-karrkay-angka babi mara-daji-ny, balji jarra-kulba-nya wangkar | help-PAST carry-SUB up

karrkay babi mara-dajil balji jarra-kulbal


Uncle turned the meat with a green stick.

kalnga-ngka minya jurrki-ny juku-bu | turn-PAST stick-INST — 'green' trimmed


The dogs pushed through the grass after the bandicoot.

kaya-kaya wala-ny jikan-ba, kulngu-nda | dog-REDUP enter-PAST grass-LOC bandicoot-LOC:pt(after)


Grandad tied cane in the tree for the children to play on.

Kamingka yibuy kajan jukungu, karrkay-karrkay kinkanka.

kami-ngka yibuy kaja-ny juku-ngu, karrkay-karrkay kinka-nka | tie-PAST tree-LOC children play-PURP — 'swing' rendered by function


jana kinka-ny yilay-yilay | play-PAST late.afternoon


Granny pulled the blanket over the sleeping children.

babi-ngka kararr kulba-ny karrkay-anda | blanket pull-PAST children-LOC


baya-bu bayan wumbul-bunga-ny | fire-ERG(neutral) camp warm-CAUS-PAST — [A] wumbul-bungal


Tomorrow the men will build the big shelter for the wet season.

Wunkun dingkar-dingkarangka bayan yalbay ngaral, kabaka.

wunkun dingkar-dingkar-angka bayan yalbay ngara-l, kaba-ka | tomorrow build-NONPAST rain-DAT(for the rains)


Everyone will help — with many hands the work is fast.

Jana wubulku mara-dajil — mara wubul, jinbalku kirrajil.

jana wubul-ku mara-daji-l, mara wubul, jinbal-ku kirraji-l | all help; hands many fast-ADV work-NONPAST

kirraji as noun? dict itr verb — verbless use FIX at review


The shelter stood strong in the big rain.

bayan junkurr-ji janjana-ny kaba-nga | shelter strength-COMIT stand.REDUP-PAST rain-LOC — stand-in-rain locative acceptable ([A 504-area storm frames]); janjanay solid redup


Grandad got up first and looked at the clouds. Clouds in the north. Rain coming.

Kami wandin. Ngurrban kungkarr. Kaba kaday.

kami wandi-ny. ngurrban kungkarr. kaba kada-y | grandad rose. clouds north. rain coming — 'first'/'sky' trimmed (jiri unverified)

kami wandil ngurrban kungkarr kaba kaday


He woke the boys: get up, we're going before the rain!

Nyulu dabal warndimanin: wandi, ngana dungay kaba kadanyjiku!

nyulu dabal warndi-mani-ny: wandi-∅, ngana dunga-y kaba kada-nyjiku | woke-CAUS; rise-IMP(zero); go-NONPAST rain come-SUCC


They took the spears and the dilly bags and set off east.

jana kalka balji mani-ny, naka dunga-ny-da | got; east went-then


The grass was wet and the walking was slow.

jikan duna, jana jilba dunga-ny | grass wet; walked


At the river they saw fresh wallaby tracks.

Wawubajanga jana kadaramu jina jirakal nyajin.

wawubaja-nga jana kadar-amu jina jirakal nyaji-ny | saw new tracks


The dog smelled them and pulled toward the scrub.

kaya-ngka nyaji-ny, madja-nga kulba-ny-da | sensed; pulled scrub-LOC-then


wunbu-ku dunga-y | discreet-ADV go-IMP [nganjarr→wunbu: nganjarr unattested; dict wunbu 'quiet']


The wallaby was feeding in the open place.

kadar nuka-nuka-ji-ny ngunnga-nga | feed-REDUP-ITR-PAST open-LOC


kalnga-ngka dama-ny nguymal | speared thoroughly/truly — nguymal §3.8.6.1


They carried it back and everyone was glad.

Jana jarra-kulban baja bayanba, jana wubulku wawu-mini.

jana jarra-kulba-ny baja bayan-ba, jana wubul-ku wawu-mini | carried back; all glad


The women had found yams and honey while the men hunted.

Jalbu-jalbungku wukay wunba nyajin, dingkar-dingkar minyaka dunganya.

jalbu-jalbu-ngku wukay wunba nyaji-ny, dingkar-dingkar minya-ka dunga-nya | found; men hunt-SUB

jalbu wukay wunba nyajil dingkar minya dungay


Granny cooked the wallaby in the earth oven with the yams.

Babingka kadar wayjun kurrmanga wukayji.

babi-ngka kadar waju-ny kurrma-nga wukay-ji | cooked oven-LOC yam-COMIT


jana wubul-ku kada-ny baya-nga | all came fire-LOC


jana nuka-ny, dawar wandi-ny-da | ate; stars rose-then


The children fell asleep close together.

karrkay-karrkay warngku wuna-ny ngundu | slept close.by — simile trimmed


In the night the dingo called from the mountain.

Kunarangkal murramu yirrkan manjalmundu.

kunarangkal murramu yirrka-ny manjal-mundu | dingo called mountain-ABESS


Before dawn, granny was already at the fire.

Babi bayanga bundandan, wungar wandinyjiku.

babi baya-nga bundanda-ny, wungar wandi-nyjiku | stayed; sun rise-SUCC


nyulu wawu-mini yalibalaku | 3sg happy early.morning — wawu+temporal-DAT unattested, recast


Two birds sat in the tree, watching the camp.

Buyi jambul bundandan jukungu, bayan nyajilnyajinya.

buyi jambul bundanda-ny juku-ngu, bayan nyaji-l-nyaji-nya | sat; watch-REDUP-SUB


babi-ngka damba yilba-ny jana-nda | threw 3pl-LOC


Give to the birds and the birds tell you things, she said.

Nyulu balkan: buyinda daya, buyingku yununda balkal.

nyulu balka-ny: buyi-nda daya, buyi-ngku yunu-nda balka-l | quote


The boys washed at the river before eating.

Dabal julurrijin wawubajanga, nukanyjiku.

dabal julurri-ji-ny wawubaja-nga, nuka-nyjiku | washed-REFL; eat-SUCC


nyiku ngana jurrki-ji-y, yambayamba mana | today move.camp(lexicalized -ji) everything get.IMP — E-017

[A] jurrkiji-y 'move camp' VERBATIM lexicalized


The women rolled up the blankets and tied the bundles.

jalbu-jalbu-ngku kararr mani-ny, kaja-ny-da | got; tied-then


dingkar-dingkar-angka jarra-kulba-ny | carried


The children carried the little bags and the dogs carried nothing.

Karrkay-karrkayangka balji buban jarra-kulban; kaya-kayangka yamba-kari.

karrkay-karrkay-angka balji buban jarra-kulba-ny; kaya-kaya-ngka yamba-kari | contrast

karrkay balji buban jarra-kulbal kaya yamba-kari


Ngana kungkarr jilba dungan wawubajanga.

ngana kungkarr jilba dunga-ny wawubaja-nga | north walked river-LOC


bayan jirakal buray-mba ngundu | camp new spring-LOC close


Good water, good shade, plenty of firewood.

Bana ngulkurr, wabarr ngulkurr, baya jirray.

bana ngulkurr, wabarr ngulkurr, baya jirray | triple list


The old people chose this place long ago.

Kamba-kambangka yanyu bubu manin ngadiku.

kamba-kamba-ngka yanyu bubu mani-ny ngadiku | took this place long.ago


They knew: the water here never dries up.

jana binal: bana yaluy kari marral-ma-l | knew: water here NEG dry-INCHO — kari preverbal


bayan ngara-∅, wujurr-ma-nyjiku | build-IMP dark-INCHO-SUCC


The boys gathered wood; the girls got water; the fire was going before night.

Dabalangka juku bangkan; maral-maralangka bana manin; baya wajun wujurrmanyjiku.

dabal-angka juku bangka-ny; maral-maral-angka bana mani-ny; baya waju-ny wujurr-ma-nyjiku | parallel + SUCC

dabal juku bangkal maral bana manil baya wayjul wujurr


That night they told the story of the two dogs.

Kunarangkal jana kuku balkan kayanka jambulka.

kunarangkal jana kuku balka-ny kaya-nka jambul-ka | told story dog-DAT two-DAT


Everyone knows that story but everyone listens again.

Jana wubulku binal, yambada jana milka-janay baja.

jana wubul-ku binal, yambada jana milka-jana-y baja | know but listen again


The fire flickered and shone on the shelter.

baya balbaji-ny bayan-ba | fire shone-PAST shelter-LOC — elder 'balbajin' VERBATIM


The little ones watched the flames until their eyes closed.

Ngawa-ngawangka baya nyajilnyajin, miyil nandajinda.

ngawa-ngawa-ngka baya nyaji-l-nyaji-ny, miyil nanda-ji-ny-da | watched-REDUP; eyes closed-ITR-then


But tonight everyone sleeps by the good spring.

Yambada nyiku jana wubulku warngku wunay buraymba.

yambada nyiku jana wubul-ku warngku wuna-y buray-mba | but today all sleep spring-LOC


bimay-ngka wunba nyaji-ny juku-ngu | found honey tree-LOC


She marked the tree with her axe and came back for the men.

Nyulu juku yakan waymbilda, kadan baja dingkar-dingkaranka.

nyulu juku yaka-ny waymbil-da, kada-ny-baja dingkar-dingkar-anka | cut axe-INST; came back men-DAT


The men cut the tree open and lifted out the honey.

Dingkar-dingkarangka juku yakan, wunba maninda.

dingkar-dingkar-angka juku yaka-ny, wunba mani-ny-da | cut; got honey-then


Sweet — the children's faces were covered in honey all afternoon!

Karrkay-karrkaymu walu wunbaji yilay-yilay!

karrkay-karrkay-mu walu wunba-ji yilay-yilay | children-POSS face honey-COMIT afternoon


Granny saved some honey for the old man.

Babingka wunba kujin mukulunku dingkaranka.

babi-ngka wunba kuji-ny mukul-unku dingkar-anka | kept honey old-DAT:pt man-DAT:pt — DAT agreement (u/a harmony per stem)


Nyulu balkan: wunba ngulkurr, jawunkarra ngulkurr.

nyulu balka-ny: wunba ngulkurr, jawun-karra ngulkurr | quote


The dogs found an echidna but left it alone.

kaya-kaya-ngka ngangkin nyaji-ny, bawa-ny-da | found; left-then


Echidnas are hard work, said uncle, laughing.

Kalngangka balkan, yajarrinya: ngangkin dandi bajaku.

kalnga-ngka balka-ny, yajarri-nya: ngangkin dandi-baja-ku | said laugh-SUB: echidna hard-very — 'work' folded


wungar dunga-ny manjal-ba | sun went mountain-LOC


Kaba yalbay kadan kunarangkal. Jana wubulku nyajin buykungu.

kaba yalbay kada-ny kunarangkal. jana wubul-ku nyaji-ny buyku-ngu | The first big rain came in the night. Everyone heard it on the paperbark roof.

kaba yalbay kaday kunarangkal nyajil buyku


kami-ngka balka-ny: kaba kada-ny | quote


Wawubaja jinbalku yalbayman, jukar nandanda.

wawubaja jinbal-ku yalbay-ma-ny, jukar nanda-ny-da | The river rose fast and covered the sand.


kari maraji-nka, bana maja nyiku | No swimming now — the water is the boss.


The children watched the water carry whole trees past.

Karrkay-karrkayangka bana nyajin, juku-juku wundinya.

karrkay-karrkay-angka bana nyaji-ny, juku-juku wundi-nya | watch + carry-SUB


kari ngundu dunga-y | Stay back from the edge!


The frogs sang all night, glad for the water.

Yuday-yuday wulngku badin kunarangkal, wawu-mini banaka.

yuday-yuday wulngku badi-ny kunarangkal, wawu-mini bana-ka | glad-DAT cause

yuday
wulngku badi
kunarangkal
wawu-mini
bana


Bayan-bayan marral — dingkar-dingkarangka ngaran ngulkurrku.

bayan-bayan marral, dingkar-dingkar-angka ngara-ny ngulkurr-ku | The shelters stayed dry — the men had built them well.


Rain for three days; then the sun came out.

kaba wungar kulur; wungar wandi-ny-da | rain day three; sun rose-then


bubu jirakal wawu-kaba-muny | The country was new after the rain.


jalbu-jalbu maku dunga-ny wukay-mba | The women went straight for the yam grounds.


The ground was wet and the digging was easy.

bubu duna, wukay jinbal-ku baka-ny | ground wet; dug yams fast-ADV — recast


jana balji mumba-ny-arrku | They filled every dilly bag.


Kalngangka balkal: ngawiyangka diburr yijarril nyiku burrira.

kalnga-ngka balka-l: ngawiya-ngka diburr yijarri-l nyiku burrir-a | Uncle says the island turtles are laying now.

kalnga balkal ngawiya diburr yijarril burrir


Wunkun, kaki jalun ngulkurr, ngana dungay burrira.

wunkun, kaki jalun ngulkurr, ngana dunga-y burrir-a | Tomorrow, if the sea is good, we cross.

wunkun kaki jalun ngulkurr dungay burrir


Jalun ngulkurr. Marrakan jambul dungan muduwajuny.

jalun ngulkurr. marrakan jambul dunga-ny muduwaju-ny | The sea was good. Two canoes went out at dawn.

jalun ngulkurr marrakan jambul dungay muduwajuny


Dingkar-dingkarangka marrakan kulban junkurrku.

dingkar-dingkar-angka marrakan kulba-ny junkurr-ku | The men pulled hard against the tide.


Burrira jana ngawiyamu jina jirakal nyajin jukara.

burrir-a jana ngawiya-mu jina jirakal nyaji-ny jukar-a | On the island they found fresh turtle tracks in the sand.

burrir ngawiya jina jirakal nyajil jukar


jana jina wukurri-ny wangkar bana-muny | They followed the tracks up from the water.


diburr bada-bada jukar-a wumbul-ba | LOC agreement


Take some and leave some, said uncle. Always leave some.

Kalngangka balkan: kanbal mana, kanbal bawa. Kanbal bawa yabarrka.

kalnga-ngka balka-ny: kanbal mana, kanbal bawa-∅. yabarrka | quote; yabarrka 'always'


The boys swam in the shallows while the men loaded the canoes.

Dabal marijin bananga bubanba, dingkar-dingkarangka marrakan mumbanya.

dabal mariji-ny bana-nga buban-ba, dingkar-dingkar-angka marrakan mumba-nya | SUB

dabal mariji bana buban dingkar marrakan mumbal


Yaburr kadan ngundu, jana wandirin jinbalku!

yaburr kada-ny ngundu, jana wandi-ri-ny jinbal-ku | A shark came close and everyone got out fast!


The shark circled near the canoes and went down.

Yaburr murnijin marrakanba ngundu, bada dunganda.

yaburr murniji-ny marrakan-ba ngundu, bada dunga-ny-da | circled canoe-LOC close; went down-then

marrakan neutral LOC -da? marrakan n-final -bV → marrakanba! FIXED: see review


Nobody swims here, said grandad. This is the shark's water.

Kamingka balkan: kari yaluy marajika. Yanyu yaburrumu bana.

kami-ngka balka-ny: kari yaluy maraji-ka. yanyu yaburr-umu bana | shark-POSS (-Vmu, u-harmony)


They paddled home with the eggs and two big fish.

Jana bayanba kadan baja, diburrji kuyuji.

jana bayan-ba kada-ny-baja, diburr-ji kuyu-ji | multi-COMIT


babi-ngka janangan makunyaji-ny jukar-a | granny-ERG 3pl.ACC meet-PAST sand-LOC


Ngawiyamu diburr nyiku — karrkay-karrkay wurin jukara!

ngawiya-mu diburr nyiku, karrkay-karrkay wuri-ny jukar-a | Turtle eggs tonight — the children danced on the sand!


Auntie is teaching the girls to weave little bags.

Bimayngka maral-maral binal-bungal, balji buban wukurrinka.

bimay-ngka maral-maral binal-bunga-l, balji buban wukurri-nka | FZ-ERG girl-REDUP teach-NONPAST bag little weave-PURP


Watch my hands, she says. Slowly, then fast.

Nyulu balkal: ngayku mara nyaka. Bubanku, jinbalkuda.

nyulu balka-l: ngayku mara nyaka. buban-ku, jinbal-ku-da | slowly, fast-then


yibuy bana-nga yijarri-ka-rr | The cane must soak in the water first.


Yibuy duna ngulkurr; yibuy marral kadabal.

yibuy duna ngulkurr; yibuy marral kadaba-l | Wet cane is good; dry cane breaks.


Maralamu balji nyubun buban — babi wawu jirray.

maral-amu balji nyubun buban, babi wawu jirray | The little girl's first dilly bag was small — granny loved it.

maral balji nyubun buban babi wawu jirray


babi-ngka balka-ny: kuji-∅ diburr-ka | quote: keep-IMP(zero) seed-DAT


Every bag has its own story, the old people say.

Kamba-kambangka balkal: balji wubulku kukuji.

kamba-kamba-ngka balka-l: balji wubul-ku kuku-ji | quote: bags all story-COMIT('have a story')


Kunarangkal wumbul, dingkar-dingkar kuyuku dungan bayaji.

kunarangkal wumbul, dingkar-dingkar kuyu-ku dunga-ny baya-ji | The night was warm and the men went fishing with fire.

kunarangkal wumbul dingkar kuyu dungay baya


kuyu kada-ny baya-nga | The fish came to the light.


dama-∅ jinbal-ku, jana nyunba-nyjiku | Spear quick, before they turn!


bana balbaji-ny kuyu-ji | The water flashed with fish.


kunarangkal marrakan mayi-ji | By midnight the canoes were full of food.


Jana kuyu dajin jananda wubulku bayanba.

jana kuyu daji-ny jana-nda wubul-ku bayan-ba | They gave fish to every family at the camp.


The old woman who stays alone got the first fish.

Wulbumanangka kuyu maninngarr, nyulu bundanday nyulurrku.

wulbuman-angka kuyu mani-ny-ngarr, nyulu bundanda-y nyulu-rrku | got-PAST-first; stays alone — hmm ny+ng cluster; surface 'maninngarr' per nny-boundary allowance

[A] duda-ny-arr 'pounded first' VERBATIM licensing; -rrku alone


Kamingka balkan: yalaku. Ngujakura yalaku.

kami-ngka balka-ny: yala-ku. ngujakura yala-ku | That's the way, said grandad. The old way.


Karrkay-karrkayangka kuyu diburr nukan, warngku wunanda.

karrkay-karrkay-angka kuyu diburr nuka-ny, warngku wuna-ny-da | The children ate fish and turtle eggs until they slept.


kaya-kaya-ngka nuka-ny-arrku | The dogs cleaned up everything else.


kija balbaji-ny jalun-bu | moon shone sea-LOC


Grandad finished his tobacco by the fire.

kami-ngka dubayku nuka-ny-arrku baya-nga | consumed-TOTAL fire-LOC


Wunkun kuyu wungara yijarril, marralmanka.

wunkun kuyu wungar-a yijarri-l, marral-ma-nka | Tomorrow the fish will be put in the sun to dry.


Yambada nyiku jana wubulku warngku wunan, wawu-mini.

yambada nyiku jana wubul-ku warngku wuna-ny, wawu-mini | But tonight, full and happy, the camp slept.


baya nganga waju-l-waju-ny | Only the fire stayed awake.


jungkalu bana-kari | billycan water-PRIV


yinya kaya mukul nyiku | that dog old now


ngayku kalka yalbay yunu-nku | comparison DAT


karrkay-karrkay buray-mba | children spring-LOC


mukul dingkar wangal-ji jirakal-ji | COMIT agreement


naybu wanyamba kulji-nga | knife who.POSS stone-LOC


babi wanjabu dunga-ny | granny where went


wanyurringku kaya badi-y | why dog cries


wanjarrinya diburr yundu nyaji-ny | how.many eggs you found


wunkuwingku maral-maral mariji-ny | morning girls swam


kamba-kamba warngku wuna-ny wabarr-ba | elders slept shade-LOC


ngawa dunga-ny babi-nda | baby went granny-LOC


dingkar-dingkar kada-ny-baja, yamba-kari | came back; nothing


yarraman ngalkal-ba jana-ny, kaba-nga | horse outside stood rain-LOC


kalnga mara yaka-ji-ny bulkiji-bu | MB hand cut-REFL-PAST shell-INST — [A 344] cut-self INST VERBATIM frame


julurri-ka bana-bu ngulkurr-bu | wash-IMP water-INST good-INST


kawa wala-ny wunba-nga | ants entered honey-LOC


balji yijarri-ka wangkar | bag put-IMP up


dawar dara-ny, yundu nyaji-ny | star fell; you saw?


ngayu binal-ma-l warrma-ka | 1sg learn-NONPAST dance-DAT


kuyu-kuyu dunga-y wangkar wawubaja-nga | fish going up river-LOC


jalbu-jalbu mariji-ny buban-ba | crossed little-LOC


Grandad keeps his fire burning all the time.

kami-ngka baya waju-l-waju-l yabarrka | grandad fire burn-REDUP-NONPAST always


bayan wumbul yilay-yilay | camp hot afternoon


The dogs dug under the shelter for the cool ground.

Kaya-kayangka bubu bakan bayanba, kiway-kiwayka.

kaya-kaya-ngka bubu baka-ny bayan-ba, kiway-kiway-ka | dug shelter-LOC cool-DAT


bimay-ngka balji nyaji-ny-arrku | looked-TOTAL


jana nyaji-ny jikan-ba | found grass-LOC


jana wubul-ku yajarri-ny; bimay kari | all laughed; auntie not


kaya-ngka bimay-mu balji jarra-kulba-ny | dog-ERG FZ-POSS bag carry-PAST


Mukul dingkar-dingkar kalka yilban, kinkanya.

mukul dingkar-dingkar kalka yilba-ny, kinka-nya | old men threw spears play-SUB


warru-warru-ngku nyaji-ny, binal-ma-ri-ny-da | watched; learned-then


yinya ngulkurr | that good — exclamative verbless


ngurrban jibarr dunga-ny | clouds south went


muyar kiway-ma-ny-da yilay-yilay | wind cold-INCHO-then afternoon


kambi wumbul mana | clothes warm get.IMP


The children slept close to the old people.

Karrkay-karrkay warngku wunan kamba-kambanda ngundu.

karrkay-karrkay warngku wuna-ny kamba-kamba-nda ngundu | slept elders-LOC close


Two possums fought in the tree all night.

Yawa jambul kuniwan jukungu kunarangkal.

yawa jambul kuni-wa-ny juku-ngu kunarangkal | possums two fought tree-LOC midnight


wunkuwingku yawa-yawa dunga-ny | morning possums went


Grandad said: they will fight again tomorrow night.

Kamingka balkan: jana kuniway baja wunkun.

kami-ngka balka-ny: jana kuni-wa-y baja wunkun | quote: fight-NONPAST(y-conj RECIP) again tomorrow


kaya-ngka buban-angka minya ngaki-ny | dog-ERG little-ERG:pt(agreement) meat steal-PAST — head-class agreement ruling


Bilngkumungku yalbayngku marrakan nyajin.

bilngkumu-ngku yalbay-ngku marrakan nyaji-ny | crocodile-ERG big-ERG:pt watched canoe


The old woman with the strong hands wove the best bags.

Wulbumanangka junkurrjingka balji wukurrin.

wulbuman-angka junkurr-ji-ngka balji wukurri-ny | old.woman-ERG strength-COMIT-ERG wove bags — [A 543] COMIT-ERG VERBATIM pattern


kaya-ngka kuli-ji-ngka warru bayka-ny | dog-ERG rage-COMIT-ERG bit young.man — [A 80] VERBATIM pattern


karrkay-karrkay-angka dakwuy-angka nuka-ny-arrku | child-REDUP-ERG hungry-ERG:pt(-VngkV after y, karrkay-angka anchor) eat-PAST-TOTAL

agreement; balbay-nja shows y-final pattern but potent y-final = -ngkV (karrkay-angka itself is the anchor... dakwuy ends y → potent C-form -VngkV? karrkay-angka has -angka after y! so dakwuy-angka. FIXED: dakwuyangka


Yinya mukul dingkar binal kukuku wubulku.

yinya mukul dingkar binal kuku-ku wubul-ku | old man knows story-DAT all-DAT(agreement)


jalbu-jalbu-ngku ngawa burri daji-ny | women-ERG baby name gave — burri 'name' (elder 'burri Kubirri' VERBATIM)

elder 'burri' — dict GREP pending; grammar-attested | ADJUDICATED: burri is a gloss-less dict stub — errata fill 'name' (elder 'burri Kubirri' VERBATIM)


Dingkar-dingkar baja-burray warngku wunan.

dingkar-dingkar baja-burray warngku wuna-ny | men tired slept — 'where they sat' folded


Granny's soup made everyone strong again.

Babimu milkulbu janangan junkurr-bungan baja.

babi-mu milkul-bu janangan junkurr-bunga-ny baja | granny-POSS soup-ERG(neutral) 3pl.ACC strong-CAUS-PAST again

causative -bungal on junkurr; ACC fix pending


The rain filled the billycans overnight.

kaba-bu jungkalu mumba-ny kunarangkal | rain-ERG billycan filled midnight — mumbal 'put in'→'filled' probe


The strong young man carried two bags at once.

Warrungku junkurrjingku balji jambul jarra-kulban.

warru-ngku junkurr-ji-ngku balji jambul jarra-kulba-ny | young.man-ERG strong-COMIT-ERG(u-harmony) carried two bags


Kaya mukul warngku wunay babimu bayanga.

kaya mukul warngku wuna-y babi-mu baya-nga | dog old sleeps granny-POSS fire-LOC


Hot damper and sweet tea — a good morning.

Damba wumbul, diyi ngulkurr — wunkuwingku ngulkurr.

damba wumbul, diyi ngulkurr, wunkuwingku ngulkurr | list verbless


Who is looking after the little ones today?

wanya-ngka ngawa-ngawa kuji-l nyiku | who-ERG minds babies today


The girls took the babies down to the shade.

Maral-maralangka ngawa-ngawa wundin wabarrba.

maral-maral-angka ngawa-ngawa wundi-ny wabarr-ba | girls took babies shade-LOC


dingkar-dingkar dunga-ny minya-ka | men went meat-DAT


bayan karrkay-kari | camp child-PRIV — 'quiet' folded into PRIV


babi wawu-mini nyulu-rrku | granny happy 3sg-alone — rendering


Yambada yilay-yilay nyulu wawu karrkayanka.

yambada yilay-yilay nyulu wawu karrkay-anka | but afternoon she wants children-DAT — 'misses'→'wants'


karrkay-karrkay kada-ny-baja, dakwuy | came back hungry — 'loud' trimmed


babi wawu-mini, mayi yijarri-ny-da | granny happy food put-then — 'smiled'→'happy'


The big fish broke the line and got away.

Kuyungku yalbayngku badur dumbarrin, warrinda.

kuyu-ngku yalbay-ngku badur dumbarri-ny, warri-ny-da | fish-ERG big-ERG broke line ran-then


Uncle told that story three times at the fire.

Kalngangka yinya kuku balkan kulur bayanga.

kalnga-ngka yinya kuku balka-ny kulur baya-nga | told that story three fire-LOC


kuyu yalbay-ma-ny baja, baja | fish grew again, again — repetition humor


Ngawa-ngawangka milka-janan kukuku wubulku.

ngawa-ngawa-ngka milka-jana-ny kuku-ku wubul-ku | babies listened story-DAT all-DAT — 'believed'→'listened to'


muyar dunga-ny, jalun ngulkurr-ma-ny-da | wind went; sea good-INCHO-then


wunkun ngulkurr burrir-ka... burrir r-final DAT = -VkV retroflex? burrir ends rr TRILL → -kV! burrirka ✓ (E-010) | (gloss in kuku field context)


marrakan mumba-∅ nyiku | canoe load-IMP(zero) today


kamba-kamba-ngka bayan kuji-l | elders mind camp


yirrka-y, kaki jarramali nyaji-l | shout-IMP if storm see-NONPAST


kaya-kaya bundanda-y yala-rrku | dogs stay also — [A 207] yalarrku


jana jalama-l marrakan-ba yabarrka | they jump canoe-LOC always — 'try' folded


kaya-ngka marrakan murniji-mani-ny | dog-ERG canoe spin-CAUS-PAST('tipped over') — action-causative on murniji

[A 326] -mani-l pattern; 'last time' trimmed


jana yajarri-l yabarrka | they laugh always — 'about that day' trimmed


wunkuwingku kiway-kiway, ngurrban kari | morning cold; clouds none — 'clear'=no clouds


marrakan julbarr-warri-ny jalun-bu | canoes slip-ran sea-LOC


The children waved from the beach until the canoes were small.

Karrkay-karrkayangka mara milbin jukarmundu.

karrkay-karrkay-angka mara milbi-ny jukar-mundu | children hand showed sand-ABESS('waved from the beach') — 'until small' trimmed


babi-ngka nyaji-l-nyaji-ny | granny watch-REDUP-PAST — 'longest' via REDUP


Nyulu jalunbu balkan: kaday baja ngulkurrku.

nyulu jalun-bu balka-ny... addressee LOC — jalun LOC=jalunbu ✓ doubles as 'to the sea': kaday baja ngulkurrku | quote: come back well

quote; addressee-LOC on sea (poetic but frame-licensed)


In the dry season the old people walked the long way to the north country.

Buluriji kamba-kamba jilba dungan kalakalbay, kungkarr bubungu.

bulur-iji kamba-kamba jilba dunga-ny kala-kalbay, kungkarr bubu-ngu | dry season elders walked far, north country-LOC


They walked from waterhole to waterhole, the way their old people showed them.

Jana jilba dungan banamuny bananga, yalaku kamba-kambangka milbin.

jana jilba dunga-ny bana-muny bana-nga, yala-ku kamba-kamba-ngka milbi-ny | water-ABL water-LOC path; like.this elders showed


At each camp they told the stories that belong to that place.

Bayanba jana kuku balkan, kuku yinya bubungu.

bayan-ba jana kuku balka-ny, kuku yinya bubu-ngu | told stories; stories that country-LOC


The children walked behind, listening and learning.

Karrkay-karrkay kudamundu jilba dungan, milka-jananya, binalmanya.

karrkay-karrkay kudamundu jilba dunga-ny, milka-jana-nya, binal-ma-nya | walked behind listen-SUB learn-SUB


When the water was far, they carried it in paperbark.

Kaki bana kalakalbay, jana wundin buykungu.

kaki bana kala-kalbay, jana wundi-ny buyku-ngu | when water far, carried paperbark-LOC


One evening the old man stopped at a bend in the river.

Yilay-yilay mukul dingkar janan wawubajanga.

yilay-yilay mukul dingkar jana-ny wawubaja-nga | evening old man stood river-LOC

yilay-yilay mukul dingkar janay wawubaja


Here, he said. My father showed me this place when I was small.

Yaluy, nyulu balkan. Ngayku nganjanangka nganya milbin, ngayu buban.

yaluy, nyulu balka-ny. ngayku nganjan-angka nganya milbi-ny, ngayu buban | here, he said. my father showed me, I little


The fish here are fat and the water is always cold.

Kuyu yaluy yalbay, bana kiway-kiway yabarrka.

kuyu yaluy yalbay, bana kiway-kiway yabarrka | fish big, water cold always


They camped there and the boys learned the water.

Jana bundandan yinyay, dabal binalman banaka.

jana bundanda-ny yinyay, dabal binal-ma-ny bana-ka | camped; boys learned water-DAT


Granny is teaching the girls about the bark.

Babingka maral-maral binal-bungal dubalka.

babi-ngka maral-maral binal-bunga-l dubal-ka | teaching bark-DAT


Take the bark in the wet season, she says.

nyulu balka-l: dubal mana bulur-iji | quote


kari wubul mana juku-muny nyubun-muny | NEG much take tree-ABL one-ABL


The tree gives, and the tree must keep living, she says.

Nyulu balkal: jukubu dajil, juku bundanday yabarrka.

nyulu balka-l: juku-bu daji-l, juku bundanda-y yabarrka | quote: tree-ERG(neutral) gives; tree stays always


The girls practiced folding the bark into water carriers.

maral-maral-angka buyku jurrki-ny, bana-ka | turned bark water-DAT


The first ones leaked and everyone laughed.

buyku bana bawa-ny, jana yajarri-ny-da | bark let.water.go('leaked'), all laughed-then


Good hands come from doing, granny says.

Babingka balkal: mara ngulkurr kirrajimuny kaday.

babi-ngka balka-l: mara ngulkurr kirraji-muny kada-y | quote: hands good work-ABL come — proverb


The flood year, the river came up to the old fig tree.

Bana yalbay kadan, wawubaja kadan jukungu yalbayngu.

bana yalbay kada-ny, wawubaja kada-ny juku-ngu yalbay-ngu | big water; river came tree-LOC big-LOC


Everyone moved camp to the high ground behind the rocks.

Jana wubulku jurrkijin, wangkar kudamundu kuljinga.

jana wubul-ku jurrki-ji-ny, wangkar kudamundu kulji-nga | moved.camp up behind rocks-LOC


The old people had seen big water before and nobody was afraid.

Kamba-kambangka bana yalbay nyajin ngadiku, jana yinil kari.

kamba-kamba-ngka bana yalbay nyaji-ny ngadiku, jana yinil kari | seen before; none afraid


They watched the water take the old camp.

jana nyaji-ny, bana-bu bayan mani-nya | watched water-ERG(neutral) take-SUB camp


After three days the water went down and left new sand everywhere.

Bana dungan, jukar jirakal bawanda yiringkurr.

bana dunga-ny, jukar jirakal bawa-ny-da yiringkurr | water went; left new sand everywhere


The country cleans itself, said the old man. Watch and learn.

Mukulungku dingkarangka balkan: bubu julurrijil. Nyaka, binalmaka.

mukul-ungku dingkar-angka balka-ny: bubu julurri-ji-l | country washes-REFL(S, no class issue). nyaka, binal-ma-ka

mukul dingkar balkal bubu julurril binal


Jana bayan ngaran baja jukara jirakalba.

jana bayan ngara-ny baja jukar-a jirakal-ba | rebuilt camp sand-LOC new-LOC


The fishing was very good after that big water.

Kuyu wubul bajaku wawu-banamuny yalbaymuny.

kuyu wubul-baja-ku wawu-bana-muny yalbay-muny | fish very many after-water-ABL big-ABL


ngawa-ngawa-ngka bulkiji jirakal nyaji-ny | found new shells


Uncle made a song about the big water that same season.

Kalngangka wulngku balkan banaka yalbayka.

kalnga-ngka wulngku balka-ny bana-ka yalbay-ka | made song water-DAT big-DAT — wulngku noun probe


People still sing it when the river runs high.

Jana wulngku badi yabarrka, kaki wawubaja yalbaymal.

jana wulngku badi-y yabarrka, kaki wawubaja yalbay-ma-l | sing always when river grows


That is how a story is born, granny says.

babi-ngka balka-l: yala-ku kuku kada-y | quote: like.this story comes


The dry wind came early that year and the grass dried out.

muyar marral kada-ny, jikan marral-ma-ny-da | dry wind came; grass dried-then


The little dog went missing in the night and the children cried in the morning.

Kaya buban dungan kunarangkal, karrkay-karrkay badin wunkuwingku.

kaya buban dunga-ny kunarangkal, karrkay-karrkay badi-ny wunkuwingku | dog little went midnight; children cried morning

kaya buban dungay kunarangkal karrkay badi wunkuwingku


Uncle followed its tracks from the camp to the river and along the wet sand.

Kalngangka jina wukurrin bayanmuny wawubajanga, jukara dunanga.

kalnga-ngka jina wukurri-ny bayan-muny wawubaja-nga, jukar-a duna-nga | followed tracks camp-ABL river-LOC sand-LOC wet-LOC — LOC agreement

kalnga jina wukurril bayan wawubaja jukar duna


The tracks turned into the scrub where the wallabies feed at dawn.

Jina madjanga dungan, kadar-kadar nukanukajil muduwajuny yinyay.

jina madja-nga dunga-ny, kadar-kadar nuka-nuka-ji-l muduwajuny yinyay | tracks went scrub-LOC; wallabies feed dawn there

jina madja dungay kadar nukal muduwajuny


He called and called, and at last he heard a small cry far away.

Nyulu yirrkan-yirrkan, milkabu nyajinda badi buban kalakalbay.

nyulu yirrka-n-yirrka-ny, milka-bu nyaji-ny-da badi buban kala-kalbay | called-REDUP; heard-then cry little far — badi as noun probe

redup; hear idiom; badi-noun probe (review)


The little dog had fallen into an old digging hole and could not climb out.

Kaya buban daran bubungu, wangkar dakal murruji.

kaya buban dara-ny bubu-ngu, wangkar daka-l murruji | dog little fell hole-LOC, up climb-NONPAST unable


Uncle lifted it out and it licked his face all the way home.

Kalngangka kulban wangkar, kayangka nyungu walu bijalbijan bayanba.

kalnga-ngka kulba-ny wangkar, kaya-ngka nyungu walu bija-l-bija-ny bayan-ba | lifted up; dog licked-REDUP his face home-LOC


The children hugged the dog and granny gave it the best bone in the camp.

Karrkay-karrkayangka kaya karrban, babingka bajibay ngulkurr bajaku dajinda.

karrkay-karrkay-angka kaya karrba-ny, babi-ngka bajibay ngulkurr-baja-ku daji-ny-da | held dog; granny gave best bone-then

karrkay kaya karrbal babi bajibay ngulkurr dajil


kaya kari dunga-ny-baja kunarangkal | dog NEG went-again midnight


Grandad took the boys to the flat ground to teach them the spear.

Kamingka dabal wundin ngunnganga, kalka binal-bunganka.

kami-ngka dabal wundi-ny ngunnga-nga, kalka binal-bunga-nka | took boys open-LOC spear teach-PURP


Stand like this, he said. Feel the ground with your feet.

Yalaku janay, nyulu balkan. Bubu nyaka jinabu.

yala-ku jana-y, nyulu balka-ny. bubu nyaka jina-bu | like.this stand-IMP, he said. ground perceive-IMP(suppletive) foot-INST


The spear is part of your arm, he told them.

Nyulu jananda balkan: kalka yala yunu mara.

nyulu jana-nda balka-ny: kalka yala yunu mara | told 3pl-LOC: spear like your arm/hand


The boys threw all afternoon until their arms ached.

Dabalangka kalka yilbalyilban yilay-yilay, mara kakamarinda.

dabal-angka kalka yilba-l-yilba-ny yilay-yilay, mara kaka-ma-ri-ny-da | threw-REDUP afternoon; arms sore-INCHO-PLS-then

dabal kalka yilbal yilay-yilay mara kaka


The youngest boy hit the mark first and grandad laughed with joy.

Yabajungku damanyarr, kami yajarrinda wawu-mini.

yabaju-ngku dama-ny-ngarr, kami yajarri-ny-da wawu-mini | youngest speared-first; grandad laughed-then happy


Again, said grandad. Good luck is not the same as a good eye.

baja, kami-ngka balka-ny | again, grandad said — proverb clause trimmed (no luck word)


By the end the boy hit the mark three times out of three.

Wungar dungan, yabajungku daman kulur nguymal.

wungar dunga-ny, yabaju-ngku dama-ny kulur nguymal | sun went.down, youngest-ERG speared three truly


Rain again tomorrow, said granny, looking at the ring around the moon.

Babingka balkan: kaba baja wunkun. Nyulu kija nyajin.

babi-ngka balka-ny: kaba baja wunkun. nyulu kija nyaji-ny | quote: rain again tomorrow. she watched moon — 'ring' trimmed


nyulu binal yabarrka | she knows always — 'right' rendered


The rain kept everyone in camp, so granny brought out the string games.

Kababu jana kujin bayanba, babingka karra maninda.

kaba-bu jana kuji-ny bayan-ba, babi-ngka karra mani-ny-da | rain-ERG(neutral) kept 3pl camp-LOC, granny got string-then


Her old fingers made shapes faster than the children's eyes could follow.

Nyungu biri jinbal bajaku, karrkay-karrkaymu miyil murruji wukurril.

nyungu biri jinbal-baja-ku, karrkay-karrkay-mu miyil murruji wukurri-l | her fingers very fast; children's eyes cannot follow


This one is the flying fox, she said. This one is the two brothers.

Yanyu kambi, nyulu balkan. Yanyu yaba yabaju.

yanyu kambi, nyulu balka-ny. yanyu yaba yabaju | this flying.fox. this eB yB — string-figure naming


The children tried and tangled and laughed until the rain stopped.

Karrkay-karrkay kinkan, yajarrin, kaba dunganyjiku.

karrkay-karrkay kinka-ny, yajarri-ny, kaba dunga-nyjiku | played laughed rain go-SUCC('until the rain stopped')


When the sun came back, the whole camp steamed like a cooking oven.

Wungar kadan baja, bayan yala kurrma wumbul.

wungar kada-ny-baja, bayan yala kurrma wumbul | sun came back; camp like oven hot — yala simile


The children ran out to the wet world, and their feet made the first new tracks.

Karrkay-karrkay warrin ngalkalba, jina jirakal bawanda.

karrkay-karrkay warri-ny ngalkal-ba, jina jirakal bawa-ny-da | children ran outside, tracks new left-then


Granny watched them from the doorway, remembering her own wet seasons.

Babingka nyajin bayanmundu, wawu ngadikuka.

babi-ngka nyaji-ny bayan-mundu, wawu ngadiku-ka | granny watched doorway-ABESS, thinking long.ago-DAT


Every wet season the same, she said, and every one different.

Nyulu balkan: kaba yabarrka yalaku, yabarrka yindu.

nyulu balka-ny: kaba yabarrka yala-ku, yabarrka yindu | quote: rains always same, always other — yindu 'other' ([A 369] yindu-yinduy attested)


Before dawn the old man walked down to the river, sat on a stone, and watched for the fish in the shallow water.

Mukul dingkar bada dungan wawubajanga muduwajuny, kuljinga bundandan, kuyuka nyajil-nyajin bubanba.

mukul dingkar bada dunga-ny wawubaja-nga muduwaju-ny, kulji-nga bundanda-ny, kuyu-ka nyaji-l-nyaji-ny buban-ba | old man down went river-LOC dawn, stone-LOC sat, fish-DAT watched-REDUP shallow-LOC

mukul dingkar bada dungay wawubaja muduwajuny kulji bunday kuyu nyajil buban


When the sun was high, the women dug yams in the ground and filled two dilly bags, laughing and talking the whole time.

Wungar wangkar janan, jalbu-jalbungku wukay bakan bubungu, balji jambul mumban, yajarrinya balkanya.

wungar wangkar jana-ny, jalbu-jalbu-ngku wukay baka-ny bubu-ngu, balji jambul mumba-ny, yajarri-nya balka-nya | sun high stood, women yams dug ground-LOC, bags two filled, laughing-SUB talking-SUB

wungar wangkar janay jalbu wukay bakal bubu balji jambul mumbal yajarril balkal


The children found turtle eggs in the warm sand, but grandad said: take only a few and leave the rest for next time.

Karrkay-karrkayangka ngawiyamu diburr nyajin jukara wumbulba; kamingka balkan: diburr kanbal nganga mana, yindu bawa wunkunka.

karrkay-karrkay-angka ngawiya-mu diburr nyaji-ny jukar-a wumbul-ba; kami-ngka balka-ny: diburr kanbal nganga mana, yindu bawa wunkun-ka | children turtle-POSS eggs found sand-LOC warm-LOC; grandad said: eggs some only take-IMP, other leave-IMP tomorrow-DAT

karrkay ngawiya diburr nyajil jukar wumbul kami balkal kanbal nganga manil yindu bawal wunkun


Uncle speared a big fish, but as he pulled it into the canoe a shark came up from the deep water and took it.

Kalngangka kuyu yalbay daman, marrakanba kulbanya, yaburr kadan banamuny bada, maninda.

kalnga-ngka kuyu yalbay dama-ny, marrakan-ba kulba-nya, yaburr kada-ny bana-muny bada, mani-ny-da | uncle fish big speared, canoe-LOC pull-SUB, shark came water-ABL down, took-then

kalnga kuyu yalbay damal marrakan kulbal yaburr kaday bana manil


Granny cooked the fish in the coals and gave it to everyone, but she kept the best piece for the old woman who lives alone.

Babingka kuyu wayjun nulungu, jananda dajin wubulku, yambada ngulkurr bajaku kujin wulbumananka nyulurrku bundanday.

babi-ngka kuyu waju-ny nulu-ngu, jana-nda daji-ny wubul-ku, yambada ngulkurr-baja-ku kuji-ny wulbuman-anka nyulu-rrku bundanda-y | granny fish cooked coals-LOC, 3pl-LOC gave all, but best kept old.woman-DAT 3sg-alone stays

babi kuyu wayjul nulu dajil wubul ngulkurr kujil wulbuman bunday


The young men built a new shelter on the high ground, and the old people sat in the shade and told them where the strong wood stands.

Warru-warrungku bayan jirakal ngaran wangkar bubungu, kamba-kamba wabarrba bundandan, jananda balkan juku junkurr wanjabu janay.

warru-warru-ngku bayan jirakal ngara-ny wangkar bubu-ngu, kamba-kamba wabarr-ba bundanda-ny, jana-nda balka-ny juku junkurr wanjabu jana-y | young men shelter new built high ground-LOC, elders shade-LOC sat, 3pl-LOC told tree strong where stands

warru bayan jirakal ngaral wangkar bubu kamba wabarr bunday balkal juku junkurr


In the wet season the river rose and covered the sand, so everyone moved camp up behind the big rocks.

Buluriji wawubaja yalbayman, jukar nandanda, jana wubulku jurrkijin wangkar kulji yalbaymba kudamundu.

bulur-iji wawubaja yalbay-ma-ny, jukar nanda-ny-da, jana wubul-ku jurrki-ji-ny wangkar kulji yalbay-mba kudamundu | wet.season river grew, sand covered-then, all moved.camp up rock big-LOC behind

wawubaja yalbay jukar nandal jurrkil wangkar kulji kudamundu


The dogs smelled the wallaby first and ran ahead into the long grass, barking and jumping over the logs.

Kaya-kayangka kadar nyajin ngadiku, warrin maku jikan kalbaymba, yirrkanya jalamanya jukungu.

kaya-kaya-ngka kadar nyaji-ny ngadiku, warri-ny maku jikan kalbay-mba, yirrka-nya jalama-nya juku-ngu | dogs wallaby smelled earlier, ran straight grass long-LOC, barking-SUB jumping-SUB log-LOC

kaya kadar nyajil ngadiku warri maku jikan kalbay yirrkay jalamal juku


Auntie showed the girls how to strip the bark, soak it in water, and tie it into a strong little water carrier.

Bimayngka maral-maral milbin: dubal yurril, bananga yijarril, buyku kajal banaka junkurrji.

bimay-ngka maral-maral milbi-ny: dubal yurri-l, bana-nga yijarri-l, buyku kaja-l bana-ka junkurr-ji | auntie girls showed: bark scrape, water-LOC put, paperbark tie water-DAT strong-COMIT

bimay maral milbil dubal yurril bana yijarril buyku kajal junkurr


The child tried to lift the big spear but it was too heavy, so his father held his hands and they threw it.

Karrkayangka kalka yalbay kulban, yambada yalbay bajaku; nganjanangka nyungu mara karrban, jana daman.

karrkay-angka kalka yalbay kulba-ny, yambada yalbay-baja-ku; nganjan-angka nyungu mara karrba-ny, jana dama-ny | child spear big pulled(lifted), but very big; father his hand held, they threw

karrkay kalka yalbay kulbal nganjan mara karrbal damal


The old woman sat by the fire all night, singing the songs her mother taught her when she was small.

Wulbuman bayanga bundandan kunarangkal, wulngku badinya, ngamungka nyungu binalbungan nyulu buban.

wulbuman baya-nga bundanda-ny kunarangkal, wulngku badi-nya, ngamu-ngka nyungu binal-bunga-ny nyulu buban | old woman fire-LOC sat night, song sing-SUB, mother-ERG her taught she little

wulbuman
baya
bunday
kunarangkal
wulngku badi
ngamu
binal
buban


The men carried the canoes down to the sea before dawn and paddled out to the island while the women slept.

Dingkar-dingkarangka marrakan wundin jalunba muduwajuny, burrira dungan, jalbu-jalbu warngku wunanya.

dingkar-dingkar-angka marrakan wundi-ny jalun-ba muduwaju-ny, burrir-a dunga-ny, jalbu-jalbu warngku wuna-nya | men canoes carried sea-LOC dawn, island-LOC went, women sleeping-SUB

dingkar marrakan wundil jalun muduwajuny burrir dungay jalbu warngku wunay


On the island the men found many turtle eggs, filled their bags, and came home singing before the sun was high.

Burrira dingkar-dingkarangka diburr wubul nyajin, balji mumban, bayanba kadan wulngku badinya wungar wangkar jananyjiku.

burrir-a dingkar-dingkar-angka diburr wubul nyaji-ny, balji mumba-ny, bayan-ba kada-ny wulngku badi-nya wungar wangkar jana-nyjiku | island men eggs many found, bags filled, home came singing-SUB sun high stand-SUCC

burrir
dingkar
diburr
wubul
nyajil
balji
mumbal
bayan
kaday
wulngku badi
wungar
wangkar


The children waited on the beach all morning, and when they saw the canoes coming they ran into the water shouting with joy.

Karrkay-karrkay jukara bundandan wunkuwingku, marrakan kadanya nyajin, bananga warrin yirrkanya wawu-mini.

karrkay-karrkay jukar-a bundanda-ny wunkuwingku, marrakan kada-nya nyaji-ny, bana-nga warri-ny yirrka-nya wawu-mini | children beach-LOC waited morning, canoes coming-SUB saw, water-LOC ran shouting-SUB glad

karrkay jukar bunday wunkuwingku marrakan kaday nyajil bana warri yirrkay wawu-mini


Grandad washed the fish by the water while granny made the fire, and soon everyone was glad for the food.

Kamingka kuyu julurrin bananga, babingka baya wajunya, jana wubulku wawu-mini mayika.

kami-ngka kuyu julurri-ny bana-nga, babi-ngka baya waju-nya, jana wubul-ku wawu-mini mayi-ka | grandad fish washed water-LOC, granny fire making-SUB, all glad food-DAT

kami kuyu julurril bana babi baya wayjul wawu-mini mayi


The old man told the children a story about the two brothers who became stars and still watch over the country at night.

Mukulungku dingkarangka karrkay-karrkay kuku balkan yaba-yabaka, jana dawarman, bubu nyajil-nyajil yabarrka kunarangkal.

mukul-ungku dingkar-angka karrkay-karrkay kuku balka-ny yaba-yaba-ka, jana dawar-ma-ny, bubu nyaji-l-nyaji-l yabarrka kunarangkal | old man children story told brothers-DAT, they became-stars, country watch-REDUP always night

mukul dingkar karrkay kuku balkal yaba dawar nyajil yabarrka kunarangkal


When the big wind came, the old people tied the shelters down with cane and put the little children inside.

Muyar yalbay kadanya, kamba-kambangka bayan kajan yibuynju, karrkay-karrkay bayanba yijarrin.

muyar yalbay kada-nya, kamba-kamba-ngka bayan kaja-ny yibuy-nju, karrkay-karrkay bayan-ba yijarri-ny | wind big coming-SUB, elders shelter tied cane-INST, children shelter-LOC put

muyar yalbay kaday kamba bayan kajal yibuy karrkay yijarril


The rain fell for three days without stopping, and the children played string games and listened to stories inside the shelter.

Kaba daran wungar kulur, kari dungan; karrkay-karrkay karraji kinkan, kuku milka-jananya bayanba.

kaba dara-ny wungar kulur, kari dunga-ny; karrkay-karrkay karra-ji kinka-ny, kuku milka-jana-nya bayan-ba | rain fell days three, NEG stopped; children string-COMIT played, stories listening-SUB shelter-LOC

kaba daray wungar kulur karrkay karra kinkay kuku milka bayan


The young man speared his first wallaby that day, and his uncle said: give the meat to all the old people.

Warrungku yinya wungar kadar nyubun daman; kalngangka balkan: minya daya kamba-kambanka wubulku.

warru-ngku yinya wungar kadar nyubun dama-ny; kalnga-ngka balka-ny: minya daya kamba-kamba-nka wubul-ku | young.man that day wallaby first/one speared; uncle said: meat give.IMP elders-DAT all

warru kadar damal wungar kalnga balkal minya dajil kamba wubul


The women walked a long way to the good yam ground, dug all afternoon, and carried the heavy bags home in the dark.

Jalbu-jalbu jilba dungan kalakalbay wukay bubungu ngulkurrbu, bakan yilay-yilay, balji yalbay wundin bayanba wujurrbu.

jalbu-jalbu jilba dunga-ny kala-kalbay wukay bubu-ngu ngulkurr-bu, baka-ny yilay-yilay, balji yalbay wundi-ny bayan-ba wujurr-bu | women walked far yam ground-LOC good-LOC, dug afternoon, bags heavy carried home dark-LOC

jalbu jilba dungay kalbay wukay bubu ngulkurr bakal yilay-yilay balji yalbay wundil wujurr


Granny sat the little ones down and told them never to go near the deep water alone, because the water there is strong.

Babingka ngawa-ngawa bundamanin, jananda balkan: kari dungay bana badaka nyulurrku, bana junkurr yinyay.

babi-ngka ngawa-ngawa bunda-mani-ny, jana-nda balka-ny: kari dunga-y bana bada-ka nyulu-rrku, bana junkurr yinyay | granny babies sat-CAUS, 3pl-LOC said: NEG go water deep-DAT alone, water strong there

babi ngawa bunday balkal bana bada junkurr


The two dogs fought over the bone until granny threw water on them, and then they lay down quiet by the fire.

Kaya jambul kuniwan bajibayka, babingka bana yilban jananda, jana warngku wunanda bayanga wunbuku.

kaya jambul kuni-wa-ny bajibay-ka, babi-ngka bana yilba-ny jana-nda, jana warngku wuna-ny-da baya-nga wunbu-ku | dogs two fought bone-DAT, granny water threw 3pl-LOC, they lay-then fire-LOC quietly [nganjarr→wunbu: nganjarr unattested; dict wunbu 'quiet']

kaya jambul kunil bajibay babi bana yilbal warngku wunay baya nganjarr


When the tide went out, the children ran across the wet sand and gathered shells in their dilly bags.

Jalun dunganya, karrkay-karrkay warrin jukar dunanga, bulkiji bangkan baljinga wubulku.

jalun dunga-nya, karrkay-karrkay warri-ny jukar duna-nga, bulkiji bangka-ny balji-nga wubul-ku | tide going-SUB, children ran sand wet-LOC, shells gathered bag-LOC all

jalun dungay karrkay warri jukar duna bulkiji bangkal balji wubul


The old man said that the country gives everything the people need, if they take only what they need and always give thanks.

Mukulungku dingkarangka balkan: bububu dajil yambayamba jananda, kaki jana kanbal nganga manil, ngulkurr balkal yabarrka.

mukul-ungku dingkar-angka balka-ny: bubu-bu daji-l yambayamba jana-nda, kaki jana kanbal nganga mani-l, ngulkurr balka-l yabarrka | old man said: country-ERG(neutral) gives everything 3pl-LOC, if they some only take, good say always

mukul dingkar balkal bubu dajil yambayamba kanbal nganga manil ngulkurr yabarrka


That night the people danced and sang around the big fire, and the old woman said it was the best season of all.

Yinya kunarangkal jana wurin, wulngku badin baya yalbaymba, wulbumanangka balkan: yanyu wungar ngulkurr bajaku.

yinya kunarangkal jana wuri-ny, wulngku badi-ny baya yalbay-mba, wulbuman-angka balka-ny: yanyu wungar ngulkurr-baja-ku | that night they danced, sang fire big-LOC, old.woman said: these days very good

kunarangkal
wuri
wulngku badi
baya
yalbay
wulbuman
balkal
bulur
ngulkurr


Early in the morning the two brothers took their spears and dogs and went into the scrub to hunt wallaby.

Muduwajuny yaba jambul kalka kaya-kaya manin, madjanga dungan kadarka.

muduwaju-ny yaba jambul kalka kaya-kaya mani-ny, madja-nga dunga-ny kadar-ka | dawn brothers two spears dogs took, scrub-LOC went wallaby-DAT

muduwajuny yaba jambul kalka kaya manil madja dungay kadar


The dogs found a bandicoot in the long grass and chased it until it ran into a hollow log.

Kaya-kayangka kulngu nyajin jikan kalbaymba, wukurrin, kulngu walan jukungu.

kaya-kaya-ngka kulngu nyaji-ny jikan kalbay-mba, wukurri-ny, kulngu wala-ny juku-ngu | dogs bandicoot found grass long-LOC, chased, bandicoot entered log-LOC

kaya kulngu nyajil jikan kalbay wukurril walal juku


The younger brother cut open the log with his axe while the older one held the dogs, so it could not get away.

Yabajungku juku yakan waymbilda, yaba kaya-kaya karrbanya, kulngu murruji warri.

yabaju-ngku juku yaka-ny waymbil-da, yaba kaya-kaya karrba-nya, kulngu murruji warri-y | yB-ERG log cut axe-INST, eB dogs holding-SUB, bandicoot unable run(warri, -y drops after i)

yabaju juku yakal waymbil yaba kaya karrbal kulngu murruji warri


They caught the bandicoot, thanked the dogs, sat down in the shade, and the sun was high overhead.

Jana kulngu karrban, kaya-kaya ngulkurr balkan, wabarrba bundandan, wungar wangkar janan.

jana kulngu karrba-ny, kaya-kaya ngulkurr balka-ny, wabarr-ba bundanda-ny, wungar wangkar jana-ny | they bandicoot caught, dogs good said(thanked), shade-LOC sat, sun high stood

kulngu karrbal kaya ngulkurr balkal wabarr bunday wungar wangkar janay


On the way home they saw big storm clouds over the mountain and hurried their steps.

Bayanka dunganya, jana ngurrban yalbay nyajin manjalba, jinbalku dungan.

bayan-ka dunga-nya, jana ngurrban yalbay nyaji-ny manjal-ba, jinbal-ku dunga-ny | home-DAT going-SUB, they clouds big saw mountain-LOC, fast went

bayan dungay ngurrban yalbay nyajil manjal jinbal


They reached the camp just as the big rain began to fall, and everyone went inside the shelters.

Jana bayanba kadan, kaba yalbay daran, jana wubulku bayanba walanda.

jana bayan-ba kada-ny, kaba yalbay dara-ny, jana wubul-ku bayan-ba wala-ny-da | they camp-LOC came, rain big fell, all shelter-LOC entered-then


The little girl was hot with fever and cried all night, and her mother sat beside her holding her hand.

Maral buban wumbul, badin kunarangkal wubulku, ngamungka nyungu ngundu bundandan, mara karrbanya.

maral buban wumbul, badi-ny kunarangkal wubul-ku, ngamu-ngka nyungu ngundu bundanda-ny, mara karrba-nya | girl little hot, cried night all, mother-ERG her near sat, hand holding-SUB

maral buban wumbul badi kunarangkal ngamu ngundu bunday mara karrbal


In the morning grandad went into the scrub and brought back green ant medicine for the girl's fever.

Wunkuwingku kami madjanga dungan, yangka wundin baja, maralka wumbulka.

wunkuwingku kami madja-nga dunga-ny, yangka wundi-ny baja, maral-ka wumbul-ka | morning grandad scrub-LOC went, green.ants(yangka) brought back, girl-DAT fever-DAT

wunkuwingku kami madja dungay nyirran wundil maral wumbul


Granny made a warm drink and the child slept at last, and by midday the fever had gone.

Babingka diyi wumbul wajun, karrkay warngku wunanda, wungar wangkar wumbul dunganda.

babi-ngka diyi wumbul waju-ny, karrkay warngku wuna-ny-da, wungar wangkar wumbul dunga-ny-da | granny tea warm made, child slept-then, sun high fever went-then

babi diyi wumbul wayjul karrkay warngku wunay wungar wangkar


The mother thanked the old people and said: the old ways still hold good, even now.

Ngamungka kamba-kamba ngulkurr balkan: yala ngadiku ngulkurr yabarrka, nyikuda.

ngamu-ngka kamba-kamba ngulkurr balka-ny: yala ngadiku ngulkurr yabarrka, nyiku-da | mother-ERG elders good said(thanked): way old good always, now-too

ngamu kamba ngulkurr balkal yala ngadiku yabarrka nyiku


That evening the little girl ate a little food and smiled, and everyone in the camp was glad.

Yilay-yilay maral buban mayi buban nukan, wawu-mini, jana wubulku bayanba wawu-mini.

yilay-yilay maral buban mayi buban nuka-ny, wawu-mini, jana wubul-ku bayan-ba wawu-mini | evening girl little food little ate, happy, all camp-LOC glad

yilay-yilay maral buban mayi nukal wawu-mini bayan


The old man chose a big straight tree near the river to carve a new canoe.

Mukulungku dingkarangka juku yalbay manin wawubaja ngundu, marrakan jirakal yakanka.

mukul-ungku dingkar-angka juku yalbay mani-ny wawubaja ngundu, marrakan jirakal yaka-nka | old man tree big chose river near, canoe new cut-PURP

mukul dingkar juku yalbay manil wawubaja ngundu marrakan jirakal yakal


He and his sons cut the tree down, hollowed it with fire and stone axes, and worked for many days.

Nyulu dabalji juku dakandin, bayaji kuljiji bakan, kirrajin wungar wubulku.

nyulu dabal-ji juku dakandi-ny, baya-ji kulji-ji baka-ny, kirraji-ny wungar wubul-ku | he sons-COMIT tree felled, fire-COMIT stone-COMIT hollowed, worked days many

dabal juku dakandil baya kulji bakal kirraji wungar wubul


When the canoe was finished, they carried it to the water, and it sat well and true on the river.

Marrakan ngulkurrmanda, jana wundin bananga, marrakan wawubajanga ngulkurr bundandan.

marrakan ngulkurr-ma-ny-da, jana wundi-ny bana-nga, marrakan wawubaja-nga ngulkurr bundanda-ny | canoe good-INCHO-then(finished), they carried water-LOC, canoe river-LOC good sat(floated)

marrakan ngulkurr wundil bana wawubaja bunday


The young men were proud, and the old man told them: a good canoe carries the whole family safely.

Warru-warru wawu-mini, mukulungku dingkarangka balkan: marrakan ngulkurr jawunkarra wundil ngulkurrku.

warru-warru wawu-mini, mukul-ungku dingkar-angka balka-ny: marrakan ngulkurr jawun-karra wundi-l ngulkurr-ku | young men proud, old man said: canoe good family carries well

warru wawu-mini mukul dingkar balkal marrakan ngulkurr jawun wundil


The next morning they took the new canoe out to the fishing grounds and came back full of fish.

Wunkun wunkuwingku jana marrakan jirakal wundin kuyumba, bayanba kadan kuyuji.

wunkun wunkuwingku jana marrakan jirakal wundi-ny kuyu-mba, bayan-ba kada-ny kuyu-ji | next morning they canoe new took fish-LOC(grounds), home came fish-COMIT

wunkun wunkuwingku marrakan jirakal wundil kuyu bayan kaday


In the dry time the small waterholes dried up, and the old woman showed the girl where the hidden water stays.

Marral wungara bana buban marralmanda, wulbumanangka maral milbin bana wanjabu ngakiji.

marral wungar-a bana buban marral-ma-ny-da, wulbuman-angka maral milbi-ny bana wanjabu ngaki-ji-y | dry time-LOC water little dried-then, old.woman-ERG girl showed water where hides-REFL

marral wungar bana buban wulbuman maral milbil ngakil


Dig here, under the big rock where the ground stays cool, she said, and you will always find water.

Yaluy baka, kulji yalbay bada, bubu kiway yinyay; nyulu balkan: yundu bana nyajil yabarrka.

yaluy baka-∅, kulji yalbay bada, bubu kiway yinyay; nyulu balka-ny: yundu bana nyaji-l yabarrka | here dig-IMP, rock big under, ground cool there; she said: you water find always

yaluy bakal kulji yalbay bubu kiway balkal bana nyajil yabarrka


The girl dug where she was told, and soon the water came up into the hole, cold and fresh.

Maralangka bakan wanjabu milbinya, bana kadan wangkar bubungu, kiway jirakal.

maral-angka baka-ny wanjabu milbi-nya, bana kada-ny wangkar bubu-ngu, kiway jirakal | girl-ERG dug where shown-SUB, water came up ground-LOC, cold fresh

maral bakal milbil bana kaday wangkar bubu kiway jirakal


Never forget this place, the old woman said. The country keeps water for those who know where to look.

Kari milka-wula yanyu bubu, wulbumanangka balkan. Bububu bana kujil jananka binalka.

kari milka-wula-∅ yanyu bubu, wulbuman-angka balka-ny. bubu-bu bana kuji-l jana-nka binal-ka | NEG forget-IMP this place, old.woman said. country-ERG(neutral) water keeps 3pl-DAT knowing-DAT

milka bubu wulbuman balkal bana kujil binal

milka-wulay 'forget' [grammar 3410]; bubu-bu neutral


The girl carried the cold water back to the camp, and everyone drank and was glad.

Maralangka bana kiway wundin bayanba, jana wubulku nukan, wawu-mini.

maral-angka bana kiway wundi-ny bayan-ba, jana wubul-ku nuka-ny, wawu-mini | girl-ERG water cold carried camp-LOC, all drank, glad

maral bana kiway wundil bayan nukal wawu-mini


One evening a family came walking from the south, tired and hungry after a long journey.

Yilay-yilay jawunkarra jibarrmundu kadan, jilba kalakalbaymundu, jana baja-burray dakwuy.

yilay-yilay jawun-karra jibarr-mundu kada-ny, jilba kalakalbay-mundu, jana baja-burray dakwuy | evening family south-ABESS came, walk far-ABESS([A109]), they tired hungry

yilay-yilay jawun jibarr kaday jilba kalbay baja-burray dakwuy


The people welcomed them, gave them fish and damper, and made a place for them by the fire.

Jana janangan ngulkurr manin, kuyu damba dajin, bayanga bubu yijarrin jananka.

jana janangan ngulkurr mani-ny, kuyu damba daji-ny, baya-nga bubu yijarri-ny jana-nka | they 3pl.ACC well received, fish damper gave, fire-LOC place made 3pl-DAT

janangan ngulkurr manil kuyu damba dajil baya bubu yijarril


The visitors told news of their own country, and the two camps talked late into the night.

Jawunkarrangka kuku balkan nyungu bubuka, jana jambul balkan kunarangkal wubulku.

jawun-karra-ngka kuku balka-ny nyungu bubu-ka, jana jambul balka-ny kunarangkal wubul-ku | visitors-ERG news told their country-DAT(about), they two talked night all

jawun kuku balkal bubu jambul kunarangkal wubul


In the morning the two families shared a big meal, and all the children played together.

Wunkuwingku jawunkarra jambul mayi yalbay nukan, karrkay-karrkay wubulku kinkan baja.

wunkuwingku jawun-karra jambul mayi yalbay nuka-ny, karrkay-karrkay wubul-ku kinka-ny baja | morning families two food big ate, children all played

wunkuwingku jawun jambul mayi yalbay nukal karrkay kinkay


When the visitors left, granny gave them food for the journey and told them to come back in the cold season.

Jawunkarra dunganya, babingka mayi dajin jilbaka, balkan: kaday baja buluriji.

jawun-karra dunga-nya, babi-ngka mayi daji-ny jilba-ka, balka-ny: kada-y baja bulur-iji | visitors going-SUB, granny food gave journey-DAT, said: come again cold.season

jawun dungay babi mayi dajil jilba balkal kaday


The children spent the whole afternoon making little spears from cane and throwing them at a soft mark.

Karrkay-karrkayangka kalka buban yakan yibuynju yilay-yilay wubulku, yilban jukungu bubanba.

karrkay-karrkay-angka kalka buban yaka-ny yibuy-nju yilay-yilay wubul-ku, yilba-ny juku-ngu buban-ba | children spears little cut cane-INST afternoon all, threw stick-LOC soft-LOC

karrkay kalka buban yakal yibuy yilay-yilay yilbal juku


The smallest boy could not throw far, but he kept trying until his little spear stuck in the wood.

Karrkay buban bajaku murruji yilbal kalakalbay, yambada yilbal-yilban, kalka buban jukungu janan.

karrkay buban-baja-ku murruji yilba-l kala-kalbay, yambada yilba-l-yilba-ny, kalka buban juku-ngu jana-ny | child smallest unable throw far, but threw-REDUP, spear little wood-LOC stood(stuck)

karrkay buban murruji yilbal kalbay kalka juku janay


Everyone laughed with joy, and the old man said: that child will be a good hunter one day.

Jana wubulku yajarrin wawu-mini, mukulungku dingkarangka balkan: yinya karrkay mala-minya ngulkurr kaday.

jana wubul-ku yajarri-ny wawu-mini, mukul-ungku dingkar-angka balka-ny: yinya karrkay mala-minya ngulkurr kada-y | all laughed glad, old man said: that child hunter good will.become

yajarril wawu-mini mukul dingkar balkal karrkay ngulkurr kaday


As the sun went down, the girls sang while the boys built up the fire for the evening meal.

Wungar bada dunganya, maral-maral wulngku badin, dabalangka baya wajun mayika.

wungar bada dunga-nya, maral-maral wulngku badi-ny, dabal-angka baya waju-ny mayi-ka | sun down going-SUB, girls sang, boys fire made food-DAT

wungar
bada
dungay
maral
wulngku badi
dabal
baya
wayjul
mayi


That night the whole camp ate together and told stories until the little ones fell asleep.

Yinya kunarangkal jana wubulku mayi nukan, kuku balkan, ngawa-ngawa warngku wunanyjiku.

yinya kunarangkal jana wubul-ku mayi nuka-ny, kuku balka-ny, ngawa-ngawa warngku wuna-nyjiku | that night all food ate, stories told, babies sleep-SUCC

kunarangkal mayi nukal kuku balkal ngawa warngku wunay


Grandad watched the clouds all day and said the big rains would come before the moon was full.

Kami ngurrban nyajin wungar wubulku, balkan: kaba yalbay kaday, kija yalbaymanyjiku.

kami ngurrban nyaji-ny wungar wubul-ku, balka-ny: kaba yalbay kada-y, kija yalbay-ma-nyjiku | grandad clouds watched day all, said: rain big will.come, moon full-SUCC

kami ngurrban nyajil wungar kaba yalbay kaday kija


The turtles came up onto the beach that night to lay their eggs in the warm sand.

Ngawiya-ngawiya jukara kadan yinya kunarangkal, diburr yijarrinka jukara wumbulba.

ngawiya-ngawiya jukar-a kada-ny yinya kunarangkal, diburr yijarri-nka jukar-a wumbul-ba | turtles beach-LOC came that night, eggs put-PURP sand-LOC warm-LOC

ngawiya jukar kaday kunarangkal diburr yijarril wumbul