String rises between the thigh and the hand, the old woman showed the girls: twist the bark fibre on the thigh with the hand, the wrist turning, the fingernails holding the small strands apart, and two weak threads twisted together come back as one strong rope, which is also, she said, the law of marriage.

Karra wandil wabanga maranga baja, wulbumanangka jalbu-buban milbin: murni warrur wabanga marabu, jinbar murninya, birribu karra-buban karrbal yindu-yindu, karra kala-burra jambul murninmuny nyubunji jana kaday baja karra junkurr nyubun, yinya baja, nyulu balkan, kuku dunyu-manilmuny.

karra wandi-l waba-nga mara-nga baja, wulbuman-angka jalbu-buban milbi-ny: murni warrur waba-nga mara-bu, jinbar murni-nya, birri-bu karra-buban karrba-l yindu-yindu, karra kala-burra jambul murni-ny-muny nyubun-ji jana kada-y baja karra junkurr nyubun, yinya baja, nyulu balka-ny, kuku dunyu-mani-l-muny | string rises thigh-LOC hand-LOC too, old.woman girls showed: twist! bark thigh-LOC hand-INST, wrist turn-SUB, fingernail-ERG strand small holds apart, string weak two twisted-of together they come back string strong one, that too, she said, law marriage-of

jinbar wrist; birri fingernail; waba thigh; murni-l twist (errata); zero IMP murni


The chest is a shelter built of rib-bones, the old man said, and deep inside it the breath lives like a fire that must never die, so if you go down into the water after turtle, fill that shelter slowly and deep before you go, and come up lest the fire grow small.

Damu nyulu bayan murninmuny mirrimarbu bajibaybu, mukulungku dingkarangka balkan, dukurrba wawu wunay yala baya, nyulu kariku wulanyaku, yalada kaki yundu bada dungay banaka ngawuyaka, bayan yinya jakal-bunga buban-buban dukurrku dungay ngadiku, kaday wangkar baya buban-manyji.

damu nyulu bayan murni-ny-muny mirrimar-bu bajibay-bu, mukul-ungku dingkar-angka balka-ny, dukurr-ba wawu wuna-y yala baya, nyulu kariku wula-nyaku, yala-da kaki yundu bada dunga-y bana-ka ngawuya-ka, bayan yinya jakal-bunga buban-buban dukurr-ku dunga-y ngadiku, kada-y wangkar baya buban-ma-nyji | chest it shelter built-of rib-INST bone-INST, old man said, deep-LOC breath lives like fire, it never die-IRR, so if you down go water-DAT turtle-DAT, shelter that fill! slowly deep-DAT go before, come! up fire small-become-PRECAUT

mirrimar rib; ngawuya turtle anchor; IRR -nyaku; INCHO+PRECAUT -ma-nyji r.34


The navel is the little mark of the first rope, the old woman told the girls: before any breath, the mother fed the child through that cord, blood to blood, so every person carries in the middle of their own body the mark of once having been part of another person, and that is why nobody rises into the world a stranger.

Wurra nyulu jina buban karramuny ngadikumuny, wulbumanangka jalbu-buban milbin: wawu wubulku ngadiku, ngamungku karrkay mayi-dayan karraburr yinya, mula mulaka, yalada bama nyubun-nyubun karrbal bangkarrba dukurrba nyungu-nyungu jina, nyulu ngadiku yamba bama yindumuny, yinya wanyurrinku bama kariku wandil ngarrbal.

wurra nyulu jina buban karra-muny ngadiku-muny, wulbuman-angka jalbu-buban milbi-ny: wawu wubul-ku ngadiku, ngamu-ngku karrkay mayi-daya-ny karra-burr yinya, mula mula-ka, yala-da bama nyubun-nyubun karrba-l bangkarr-ba dukurr-ba nyungu-nyungu jina, nyulu ngadiku yamba bama yindu-muny, yinya wanyurrinku bama kariku wandi-l ngarrbal | navel it mark small rope-of first-of, old.woman girls taught: breath all before, mother-ERG child food-gave rope-PERL that, blood blood-DAT, so person each holds body-LOC middle-LOC own mark, he before thing person other-of, that why person never rises stranger

wurra navel; ngarrbal stranger 22830; jina as mark/track (attested core sense)


The old woman showed the young woman how to carry: the baby sits high on the back, tied with soft cloth, its cheek at the mother's neck, so the two hands stay free for the work and the fire, and the child learns its mother's walk before it learns any word.

Wulbumanangka jalbu-buban milbin karrbanka: ngawa bundal wangkar mukungu, kajan kambibu kimabu, kangkul nyungu ngamu-mu jakaymba, yalada mara jambul janay ngalkal murninka bayaka baja, karrkay binal-mal jilba ngamumuny kuku wubulku ngadiku.

wulbuman-angka jalbu-buban milbi-ny karrba-nka: ngawa bunda-l wangkar muku-ngu, kaja-ny kambi-bu kima-bu, kangkul nyungu ngamu-mu jakay-mba, yala-da mara jambul jana-y ngalkal murni-nka baya-ka baja, karrkay binal-ma-l jilba ngamu-muny kuku wubul-ku ngadiku | old.woman-ERG young.woman showed carry-DAT: baby sits up back-LOC, tied cloth-INST soft-INST, cheek its mother-POSS neck-LOC, so hand two stand open(free) work-PURP fire-DAT too, child learns(INCHO) walk mother-of word all before

kangkul cheek; POSS -mu (ngamu-mu anchor r.33); jakay-mba y-final LOC


A foot that has walked one country for very many years reads the ground the way an eye reads a face, the old man said: it knows the sand that slides, the clay that holds, the stone that turns, the stinging tree that stands waiting, so an old person walks a rough track in the dark and never looks down, for the whole road lies in the foot.

Jina nyulu bubu jilbanmuny wungar wubulku bajaku, nyulu bubu nyajil yala miyilbu walu nyajil, mukulungku dingkarangka balkan: nyulu binal jukar warrinya, kambar karrbanya, kulji murninya, mili jananya, yalada bama mukul jilbal baral mumbu wujurrba, kariku nyajil bada, baral wubulku nyulu wunay jinanga.

jina nyulu bubu jilba-ny-muny wungar wubul-ku bajaku, nyulu bubu nyaji-l yala miyil-bu walu nyaji-l, mukul-ungku dingkar-angka balka-ny: nyulu binal jukar warri-nya, kambar karrba-nya, kulji murni-nya, mili jana-nya, yala-da bama mukul jilba-l baral mumbu wujurr-ba, kariku nyaji-l bada, baral wubul-ku nyulu wuna-y jina-nga | foot it country walked-of year many very, it ground reads like eye-ERG face reads, old man said: it knows sand run-SUB, clay hold-SUB, stone turn-SUB, stinging.tree stand-SUB, so person old walks track rough dark-LOC, never looks down, road whole it lies foot-LOC

jukar sand 10250; mili stinging-tree anchor; SUB -nya relative chain


A boy asked when his spear would fly true, and the old man said: ask your own shoulder, for the true throw does not live in the wanting, it lives in the arm that has thrown very many times, so throw at the old log at dusk each day, and one day the shoulder will answer without you.

Buban babajin wanjawanja kalka nyungu warrinyaku yukil, mukulungku dingkarangka balkan: babaji binda nyungu-nyungu, kalka-warri yukil kariku wunay wawuba, nyulu wunay wakuymba yilbanmuny wubulku bajaku, yalada yilba jukungu mukulba miyil-wujurr-wujurrba nyubun-nyubun, wungar nyubun binda nyulu-nyulu balkal yundu-mundu.

buban babaji-ny wanja-wanja kalka nyungu warri-nyaku yukil, mukul-ungku dingkar-angka balka-ny: babaji binda nyungu-nyungu, kalka-warri yukil kariku wuna-y wawu-ba, nyulu wuna-y wakuy-mba yilba-ny-muny wubul-ku bajaku, yala-da yilba juku-ngu mukul-ba miyil-wujurr-wujurr-ba nyubun-nyubun, wungar nyubun binda nyulu-nyulu balka-l yundu-mundu | boy asked when spear his fly-IRR true, old man said: ask! shoulder own, spear-flight true never lies desire-LOC, it lies arm-LOC thrown-of many very, so throw! log-LOC old-LOC dusk-LOC each, day one shoulder itself answers you-without

miyil-wujurr-wujurr dusk grammar 2240; ABESS -mundu used CORRECTLY (without you); wakuy-mba y-final LOC


The singing voice is breath that has learned the corroboree, the old woman said before the dance: the chest is its ground, the throat its narrow road, the tongue and the lips its two dancers, so warm the song slowly at dusk, and it will carry through the whole night and never break.

Wulngku nyulu wawu malkarri binalmanmuny, wulbumanangka balkan malkarri ngadiku: damu nyulu bubu nyungu, manu baral buban nyungu, nyabil yimbi baja malkarri-bama jambul nyungu, yalada wulngku wumbul-bunga buban-buban miyil-wujurr-wujurrba, nyulu wulngku karrbal wujurrburr wubulku, kariku dumbarriji.

wulngku nyulu wawu malkarri binal-ma-ny-muny, wulbuman-angka balka-ny malkarri ngadiku: damu nyulu bubu nyungu, manu baral buban nyungu, nyabil yimbi baja malkarri-bama jambul nyungu, yala-da wulngku wumbul-bunga buban-buban miyil-wujurr-wujurr-ba, nyulu wulngku karrba-l wujurr-burr wubul-ku, kariku dumbarri-ji-y | song it breath corroboree learned-of, old.woman said corroboree before: chest it ground its, throat road small its, tongue lips too dance-person two its, so song warm-CAUS! slowly dusk-LOC, it song carries night-PERL whole, never breaks(ITR)

wulngku song; malkarri corroboree 17595; zero IMP wumbul-bunga; dumbarri-ji-y ITR


What part of a person never grows old? the children asked at the fire, and the old woman sat quiet for a long time, and then she said: the name they gave a person, the language in the ear, and the country under the feet, for the body is a camp for a short time, but those three lay there before the person, and they stand on after the person has gone.

Wanyu yamba bamamuny nyulu kariku mukul-mal? karrkay-karrkay babajin bayanga, wulbuman bundan wunbu kalbay, yalada nyulu balkan: kuku jana bamanda dayanmuny, kuku milkanga, bubu badabada jinanga, bangkarr nyulu bayan wungar bubanku, yambada yinya kulur wunan bama ngadiku, jana janay bama dunganmuny yalada.

wanyu yamba bama-muny nyulu kariku mukul-ma-l? karrkay-karrkay babaji-ny baya-nga, wulbuman bunda-ny wunbu kalbay, yala-da nyulu balka-ny: kuku jana bama-nda daya-ny-muny, kuku milka-nga, bubu badabada jina-nga, bangkarr nyulu bayan wungar buban-ku, yambada yinya kulur wuna-ny bama ngadiku, jana jana-y bama dunga-ny-muny yala-da | what part person-of it never old-becomes(INCHO)? children asked fire-LOC, old.woman sat quiet long, then she said: name they person-LOC gave-of, language ear-LOC, country underneath foot-LOC, body it camp time short-DAT, but those three lay person before, they stand person gone-of after

kulur three used correctly ('a few/three' grammar 2304); recipient LOC bama-nda; badabada underneath


One old man was ear-blunt from birth and never heard a single word, but nobody called him word-less, for he read every face like open country and talked fast with his two hands, and the old woman said: language is a river, if the ear is closed it simply cuts another channel.

Dingkar mukul nyubun milka-dudu wandinmuny, nyulu kuku nyubun kariku milka-janan, yambada bamangka nyulu kariku kunjan kuku-kari, nyulu walu wubulku nyajin yala bubu ngalkal, nyulu balkan warri marabu jambulbu, wulbumanangka balkan: kuku nyulu wawubaja, kaki milka nandajin, nyulu nganga bana-baral yindu yakal.

dingkar mukul nyubun milka-dudu wandi-ny-muny, nyulu kuku nyubun kariku milka-jana-ny, yambada bama-ngka nyulu kariku kunja-ny kuku-kari, nyulu walu wubul-ku nyaji-ny yala bubu ngalkal, nyulu balka-ny warri mara-bu jambul-bu, wulbuman-angka balka-ny: kuku nyulu wawubaja, kaki milka nanda-ji-ny, nyulu nganga bana-baral yindu yaka-l | man old one ear-blunt rising-from, he word one never heard, but people-ERG him never called word-less, he face all read like country open, he talked fast hand-INST two-INST, old.woman said: language it river, if ear closed(ITR), it just channel other cuts

milka-dudu deaf grammar 2242; hand-talk described technically; bana-baral channel (2473)


Pain is a traveller with many camps, the old woman taught the young healer: today it sits in the head, tomorrow in a tooth, then in the stomach, then low in the back, so never ask a sick person only where the pain is, ask where the traveller camped last night, and which way it walked at dawn.

Kaka nyulu jilba-bama bayan-ji wubul-ji, wulbumanangka yukil-bungal-bama warru milbin: nyiku nyulu bundal dukulba, wunkuny dirranga, yalada jibara, yalada mukungu badanga, yalada kari babaji bama bambay nganga wanja kaka, babaji wanja jilba-bama wunan wujurrba, wanjaburr nyulu jilban muduwajuny.

kaka nyulu jilba-bama bayan-ji wubul-ji, wulbuman-angka yukil-bunga-l-bama warru milbi-ny: nyiku nyulu bunda-l dukul-ba, wunkuny dirra-nga, yala-da jibar-a, yala-da muku-ngu bada-nga, yala-da kari babaji bama bambay nganga wanja kaka, babaji wanja jilba-bama wuna-ny wujurr-ba, wanjaburr nyulu jilba-ny muduwajuny | pain it travel-person camp-COMIT many-COMIT, old.woman healer young taught: today it sits head-LOC, tomorrow tooth-LOC, then stomach-LOC, then back-LOC low-LOC, so NEG ask! person sick only where pain, ask! where traveller lay night-LOC, which.way it walked at-dawn

LOC allomorph showcase: dukul-ba, dirra-nga, jibar-a (single-r), muku-ngu; wanjaburr which-way r.32; muduwajuny


In the hot season the whole camp went down to the big waterhole, the sun sinking, the children swimming and calling out big, the old people sitting in the shallow water like old logs going soft, and the old woman said: the body is a working thing, but in the water it remembers it was once only a small happy fish.

Jiri-wungara bayan wubulku dungan bada daburrika, wungar bada dunganya, karrkay-karrkay marajin kuku yalbay balkanya, bama mukul bundan bana bubanba yala juku mukul kima-manya, wulbumanangka balkan: bangkarr nyulu murni-yamba, yambada bananga nyulu milka-binalku nyulu ngadiku kuyu buban wawu-mini nganga.

jiri-wungar-a bayan wubul-ku dunga-ny bada daburri-ka, wungar bada dunga-nya, karrkay-karrkay maraji-ny kuku yalbay balka-nya, bama mukul bunda-ny bana buban-ba yala juku mukul kima-ma-nya, wulbuman-angka balka-ny: bangkarr nyulu murni-yamba, yambada bana-nga nyulu milka-binalku nyulu ngadiku kuyu buban wawu-mini nganga | hot-season-LOC camp whole went down waterhole-DAT, sun down go-SUB, children swam word big say-SUB, person old sat water shallow-LOC like log old soft-become-SUB, old.woman said: body it work-thing, but water-LOC it remembers it before fish small happy only

maraji swim; daburri swamp/waterhole 4434; wawu-mini happy 27075; INCHO SUB kima-ma-nya


One hand cannot tie a knot, the old man said when a stubborn young man was refusing all help: the strongest fingers in the country still want their brothers across the string, and what is true of hands is true of people, so put your neck down, take the other hand, for the rope you are making is your own life.

Marabu nyubunbu kariku karra kajal, mukulungku dingkarangka balkan, warru walu-dandi mara-dajil wubulku bawanya: birri junkurr bajaku bubumuny nyulu wawu-manil yaba-karra nyungu karraburr, yamba yukil maramuny nyulu yukil bamamuny baja, yalada jakay bada-bunga, mana mara yindu, karra yundu murnilmuny nyulu wawu nyungu-nyungu.

mara-bu nyubun-bu kariku karra kaja-l, mukul-ungku dingkar-angka balka-ny, warru walu-dandi mara-daji-l wubul-ku bawa-nya: birri junkurr bajaku bubu-muny nyulu wawu-ma-ni-l yaba-karra nyungu karra-burr, yamba yukil mara-muny nyulu yukil bama-muny baja, yala-da jakay bada-bunga, mana mara yindu, karra yundu murni-l-muny nyulu wawu nyungu-nyungu | hand-ERG one-ERG never rope ties, old man said, young.man stubborn hand-giving all leave-SUB: finger strong most country-of it wants brother-KPL its rope-PERL, thing true hand-of it true person-of too, so neck down-put!, take! hand other, rope you making-of it life own

mara-daji-l help 18078 as noun 'hand-giving'; walu-dandi stubborn; suppletive IMP mana; zero IMP bada-bunga


At the end the old woman walked the children once more through all the words of the body: head, eye, ear, mouth, neck, shoulder, arm, hand, chest, back, stomach, thigh, leg, ankle, foot, and she said: now you all carry the words, so listen to this last one, the body is the one camp you never leave, so keep it like a good camp, feed its fire, mend its shelter well, and it will carry you to the last river.

Badanga wulbumanangka karrkay-karrkay jilba-bungan kukuburr bangkarrmuny wubulku nyubunbu baja: dukul, miyil, milka, ngandal, jakay, binda, wakuy, mara, damu, muku, jibar, waba, jandal, wulu, jina, nyulu balkan: nyiku yurra kuku wubulku karrbal, milka-janay kuku bada yala: bangkarr nyulu bayan nyubun yurra kariku bawalmuny, yalada karrba nyulu yala bayan yukil, baya nyungu daya mayibu, bayan nyungu murni yukil, nyulu yurra karrbal wawubajaka badaka.

bada-nga wulbuman-angka karrkay-karrkay jilba-bunga-ny kuku-burr bangkarr-muny wubul-ku nyubun-bu baja: dukul, miyil, milka, ngandal, jakay, binda, wakuy, mara, damu, muku, jibar, waba, jandal, wulu, jina, nyulu balka-ny: nyiku yurra kuku wubul-ku karrba-l, milka-jana-y kuku bada yala: bangkarr nyulu bayan nyubun yurra kariku bawa-l-muny, yala-da karrba nyulu yala bayan yukil, baya nyungu daya mayi-bu, bayan nyungu murni yukil, nyulu yurra karrba-l wawubaja-ka bada-ka | end-LOC old.woman-ERG children walk-CAUS word-PERL body-of all once again: head, eye, ear, mouth, neck, shoulder, arm, hand, chest, back, stomach, thigh, leg, ankle, foot, she said: now you.all word all carry, listen! word last this: body it camp one you.all never leave-of, so hold! it like camp good, fire its give! food-INST, shelter its mend! well, it you.all carries river-DAT last-DAT

yurra dukul jakay binda wakuy damu waba wulu

yurra 2pl grammar 2684; full body-lexicon recap; PERL kuku-burr; capstone row


Burn some ironwood tonight, the old man ordered, lest the thunderstorm come, and take the dry grass away from around the camp lest a small fire walk through it in the dark, for if you act first, the big fire never comes.

Jujubala waju wujurrba, mukulungku dingkarangka balkan, jarramali kadanyji, jikan bana-kari mana bayan ngundumuny, baya-buban jilbanyji wujurrburr, kaki yundu murnil ngadiku, baya yalbay kariku kaday.

jujubala waju wujurr-ba, mukul-ungku dingkar-angka balka-ny, jarramali kada-nyji, jikan bana-kari mana bayan ngundu-muny, baya-buban jilba-nyji wujurr-burr, kaki yundu murni-l ngadiku, baya yalbay kariku kada-y | ironwood burn! night-LOC, old man said, thunderstorm come-PRECAUT, grass water-less get! camp close.by-from, fire-small walk-PRECAUT dark-PERL, if you act first, fire big never comes

direct Patz 164 echo; PRECAUT x2; suppletive IMP mana


I would have eaten that fish, the old man said, pushing it far away, but it is rotten, and he told the boys: the smell said no before the tongue said yes, so when the two speak differently, believe the elder brother, for the smell has kept this family alive longer than the tongue has.

Ngayu minya yinya nukanyaku, mukulungku dingkarangka balkan, nyulu jurrngan kala-kalbay, yambada nyulu kabu, nyulu buban-buban milbin: jilabu balkan kari nyabil balkanya yuwu ngadiku, kaki jambul yindu-yindu balkal, kuku-junkurr-mana yaba, jilabu jawun-karra karrban juran kalbay-baja nyabilmuny.

ngayu minya yinya nuka-nyaku, mukul-ungku dingkar-angka balka-ny, nyulu jurrnga-ny kala-kalbay, yambada nyulu kabu, nyulu buban-buban milbi-ny: jila-bu balka-ny kari nyabil balka-nya yuwu ngadiku, kaki jambul yindu-yindu balka-l, kuku-junkurr-mana yaba, jila-bu jawun-karra karrba-ny juran kalbay-baja nyabil-muny | I meat that eat-IRR, old man said, he pushed far.away, but it rotten, he boys told: smell-ERG said no tongue say-SUB yes before, if two differently speak, believe!(get) elder.brother, smell-ERG family held alive long-DEG2 tongue-from

IRR direct 159 echo; kabu rotten 159; jila smell grammar 7088


Do not swim in the deep water at dusk, the old woman ordered the children, and do not wash fish close to the water, lest the crocodile learn that this camp feeds it, for the crocodile holds in its ear every heedless camp on the river.

Kari maraji bana dukurrba miyil-wujurr-wujurrba, wulbumanangka karrkay-karrkay balkan, kari kuyu julurrika bana ngundu, bilngkumu binal-manyji yinya bayanda nyulu mayi-dayal, bilngkumungku karrbal milkanga bayan milka-kari nyubun-nyubun wawubajanga.

kari maraji bana dukurr-ba miyil-wujurr-wujurr-ba, wulbuman-angka karrkay-karrkay balka-ny, kari kuyu julurri-ka bana ngundu, bilngkumu binal-ma-nyji yinya bayan-da nyulu mayi-daya-l, bilngkumu-ngku karrba-l milka-nga bayan milka-kari nyubun-nyubun wawubaja-nga | NEG swim! water deep-LOC dusk-LOC, old.woman children said, NEG fish wash! water close.by, crocodile know-INCHO-PRECAUT this camp-ERG it food-gives, crocodile-ERG holds ear-LOC camp heedless each river-LOC

prohibitive kari+IMP x2; INCHO+PRECAUT; bayan-da n-final ERG


Finish the fish before your father wakes, the old woman said quietly to the children, and throw the bones to the fire before the dogs come, for a camp that moves fast after eating stands with nothing to be said against it.

Kuyu kunbay-mana nganjan wandinyjiku, wulbumanangka karrkay-karrkay balkan wunbu, bajibay yilba bayaka kaya kadanyjiku, bayan nyulu warri murnil nukanmuny, nyulu kuku-kari janay.

kuyu kunba-y-mana nganjan wandi-nyjiku, wulbuman-angka karrkay-karrkay balka-ny wunbu, bajibay yilba baya-ka kaya kada-nyjiku, bayan nyulu warri murni-l nuka-ny-muny, nyulu kuku-kari jana-y | fish finish!(y-CAUS) father wake-SUCC, old.woman children said quiet, bone throw! fire-DAT dog come-SUCC, camp it fast acts eating-after, it word-less stands

SUCC x2, direct 165 echo; zero IMP yilba


He cried out before he died, the old people still tell of the man taken at the river crossing, and that cry turned back the three young men following behind him, so they say: a person's last word is the truest thing he leaves his people.

Nyulu yirrkan wulanyjiku, bama mukulungku yabarrka balkal dingkarmuny bana-baralba maninmuny, kuku yinyabu warru kulur wukurrinya murnin baja, yalada jana balkal: kuku bada bamamuny nyulu yamba yukil bajaku jawun-karranka.

nyulu yirrka-ny wula-nyjiku, bama mukul-ungku yabarrka balka-l dingkar-muny bana-baral-ba mani-ny-muny, kuku yinya-bu warru kulur wukurri-nya murni-ny baja, yala-da jana balka-l: kuku bada bama-muny nyulu yamba yukil bajaku jawun-karra-nka | he cried.out die-SUCC, people old-ERG still tell man-of crossing-LOC taken-of, word that-ERG young.man three follow-SUB turned back, so they say: word last person-of it thing true most family-DAT

SUCC direct 166 echo (yirrka-ny wula-nyjiku); yirrka-y shout 152


The young one wants to cook, the old woman smiled a little, but wanting is the younger brother of knowing how, so she stood beside the girl at the fire: he who knows how to spear learned it spearing, she who knows how to cook learns it cooking, and the first food burnt hard — that too is teaching.

Buban wawu-manil wajunku, wulbuman yajarr-man buban, yambada wawu-manil nyulu yabaju binalmuny, yalada nyulu janan ngundu jalbu-bubananda bayanga: nyulu binal damanka nyulu binalman damanya, nyulu binal wajunku nyulu binal-mal wajunya, mayi ngadiku wajun bajaku, yinya baja milbil.

buban wawu-ma-ni-l waju-nku, wulbuman yajarr-ma-ny buban, yambada wawu-ma-ni-l nyulu yabaju binal-muny, yala-da nyulu jana-ny ngundu jalbu-buban-anda baya-nga: nyulu binal dama-nka nyulu binal-ma-ny dama-nya, nyulu binal waju-nku nyulu binal-ma-l waju-nya, mayi ngadiku waju-ny bajaku, yinya baja milbi-l | young.one wants cook-PURP, old.woman laughed(INCHO) little, but wanting it younger.brother knowing-of, so she stood close.by girl-LOC fire-LOC: he knows spear-PURP he learned spear-SUB, she knows cook-PURP she learns(INCHO) cook-SUB, food first burnt hard, that too teaches

PURP direct echoes 160 (waju-nku) + 161 (binal dama-nka); potent LOC -anda


We would have crossed in the morning, the old man admitted at the fire, but we slept long, and the river came up while we lay there, so we sat on the wrong bank for three days, and he told the young men: the river does not wait for a person while he sleeps, cross when the water says cross.

Ngana bana-baral dunganyaku muduwajuny, mukulungku dingkarangka balkan bayanga, yambada ngana wunan kalbay, wawubaja wangkar kadan ngana wunanya, yalada ngana bundan jalkara mumbuba wungar kulurku, nyulu warru-warru milbin: wawubaja kariku janay bamanka wunanya, dungay bana balkanya dungay.

ngana bana-baral dunga-nyaku muduwajuny, mukul-ungku dingkar-angka balka-ny baya-nga, yambada ngana wuna-ny kalbay, wawubaja wangkar kada-ny ngana wuna-nya, yala-da ngana bunda-ny jalkar-a mumbu-ba wungar kulur-ku, nyulu warru-warru milbi-ny: wawubaja kariku jana-y bama-nka wuna-nya, dunga-y bana balka-nya dunga-y | we crossing go-IRR at-dawn, old man said fire-LOC, but we slept long, river up came we lie-SUB, so we sat bank-LOC wrong-LOC day three-DAT, he young.men told: river never stands(waits) person-DAT sleep-SUB, cross! water say-SUB cross!

IRR dunga-nyaku (158 pattern); kulur three; y-conj IMP dunga-y


Don't chase the dog near the fire, don't shout close to the sleeping baby, and don't run with the pointed stick in your hand — the old woman threw the three old no-words at the children like three quick spears, and then laughed: behind every one of them lies a mark, from me, from my mother, from her mother.

Kari kanga kaya baya ngundu, kari yirrkay ngawa ngundu wunanya, kari warri juku murru-ji maranga, wulbumanangka kuku-kari kulur yilban karrkay-karrkaynka yala kalka kulur warri, yalada yajarr-man: nyubun-nyubunba jina wunay, ngaykumuny, ngamumuny, babimuny.

kari kanga kaya baya ngundu, kari yirrka-y ngawa ngundu wuna-nya, kari warri-y juku murru-ji mara-nga, wulbuman-angka kuku-kari kulur yilba-ny karrkay-karrkay-nka yala kalka kulur warri, yala-da yajarr-ma-ny: nyubun-nyubun-ba jina wuna-y, ngayku-muny, ngamu-muny, babi-muny | NEG chase! dog fire close.by, NEG shout! baby close.by sleep-SUB, NEG run! stick point-COMIT hand-LOC, old.woman-ERG no-word three threw children-DAT like spear three fast, then laughed(INCHO): each-LOC mark lies, me-from, mother-from, granny-from

prohibitive kari+IMP x3, direct 149/152 echoes; surface y-deletion kari warri


Walk slow and flat on the sea stones, the old man taught, and look twice at every stone, lest the stonefish poke you the way it poked old Sore-Foot long ago, for the points of the sea hide themselves among plain stones, and the hurrying foot cries longest.

Jilba buban-buban jalun kuljinga, mukulungku dingkarangka milbin, nyaji jambulku kulji nyubun-nyubun, murrajabu yununy bakanyji yala nyulu jina-baji bakan ngadiku, murru jalunmuny ngakiji kulji ngangaba, jina warri-warri nyulu badi kalbay bajaku.

jilba buban-buban jalun kulji-nga, mukul-ungku dingkar-angka milbi-ny, nyaji jambul-ku kulji nyubun-nyubun, murraja-bu yununy baka-nyji yala nyulu jina-baji baka-ny ngadiku, murru jalun-muny ngakiji-y kulji nganga-ba, jina warri-warri nyulu badi-y kalbay bajaku | walk! slowly sea stone-LOC, old man taught, see! twice stone each, stonefish-ERG you poke-PRECAUT as it Sore-Foot poked long.ago, point sea-of hide(ITR) stone plain-LOC, foot hurrying it cries long most

murraja stonefish grammar 6507; jina-baji nickname grammar 647; yununy 2sg ACC; PRECAUT; y-deletion ngakiji/badi


They took the net to catch a lot of fish, but they forgot the bag for carrying them home, the old man laughed about his own young days, so we stood like ibis birds with our arms full, and the teaching is: see the whole road, not only the shining part where the fish are.

Jana makarr wundin kuyu wubul bangkanka, yambada jana balji milka-wulan kuyu wundinka bayanka, mukulungku dingkarangka yajarr-man wungar warrumuny nyungu-nyungumuny, ngana janan yala birmba wakuy jakal-ji, milbil nyulu yala: nyaji baral wubulku, kari nganga bubu jilu-jilu kuyu wunanya.

jana makarr wundi-ny kuyu wubul bangka-nka, yambada jana balji milka-wula-ny kuyu wundi-nka bayan-ka, mukul-ungku dingkar-angka yajarr-ma-ny wungar warru-muny nyungu-nyungu-muny, ngana jana-ny yala birmba wakuy jakal-ji, milbi-l nyulu yala: nyaji baral wubul-ku, kari nganga bubu jilu-jilu kuyu wuna-nya | they net took fish many catch-PURP, but they bag forgot fish carry-PURP home-DAT, old man laughed(INCHO) day young-of own-of, we stood like ibis arm full-COMIT, teaching it this: see! road whole, NEG only place shining fish lie-SUB

makarr wundil bangka-nka birmba jilu-jilu

PURP direct 162 echo (makarr wundi-ny ... bangka-nka); wundi-l take/carry 2750; birmba ibis; jilu-jilu glossy 9249


Turn the blanket before you lie down, and turn it again in the morning, the old man told the boys at the cattle camp, lest the snake sleep where you want to sleep, for the small piercing creatures love a warm dark camp that somebody else has built.

Kararr murni, yalada wuna, murni baja muduwajuny, mukulungku dingkarangka buban-buban milbin bulki-bayanba, jarba wunanyji wanja yundu wawu-manil wunanka, minya bakal-bama buban jana wawu-manil bayan wumbul wujurr bama yindubu murninmuny.

kararr murni, yala-da wuna, murni baja muduwajuny, mukul-ungku dingkar-angka buban-buban milbi-ny bulki-bayan-ba, jarba wuna-nyji wanja yundu wawu-ma-ni-l wuna-nka, minya bakal-bama buban jana wawu-ma-ni-l bayan wumbul wujurr bama yindu-bu murni-ny-muny | blanket turn!, then lie!, turn! again at-dawn, old man boys told cattle-camp-LOC, snake sleep-PRECAUT where you want lie-PURP, creature piercer small they love camp warm dark person other-ERG built-of

kararr blanket grammar 153; PRECAUT + PURP chain; zero IMPs murni/wuna


We would have stayed on the sand that night, the old woman remembered, the walk had been long and our legs were tired, but the old man read the clouds and made us climb to the high ground, and before the middle of the night the flood took the whole sandbank, so I am alive today because tired legs listened to a hard word.

Ngana jukara wunanyaku wujurr yinyanga, wulbuman milka-binalku, jilba kalbay ngarri baja-burray, yambada mukulungku dingkarangka ngurrban nyajin ngana dakal-bungan bubu wangkarku, kunarangkal ngadiku bana-yalbaybu jukar wubulku manin, yalada ngayu juran nyiku, ngarri baja-burraynja kuku dandi milka-janan.

ngana jukar-a wuna-nyaku wujurr yinya-nga, wulbuman milka-binalku, jilba kalbay ngarri baja-burray, yambada mukul-ungku dingkar-angka ngurrban nyaji-ny ngana dakal-bunga-ny bubu wangkar-ku, kunarangkal ngadiku bana-yalbay-bu jukar wubul-ku mani-ny, yala-da ngayu juran nyiku, ngarri baja-burray-nja kuku dandi milka-jana-ny | we sand-LOC stay-IRR night that-LOC, old.woman remembers, walk long leg tired, but old man-ERG cloud read us climb-CAUS ground high-DAT, midnight before flood-ERG sand whole took, so I alive today, leg tired-ERG word hard listened

IRR; dakal climb + CAUS; kunarangkal midnight (correct sense); y-final ERG -nja


Grandmother told the girl to look after the baby at the shallow water, and the girl held that job like a hot coal in her two hands, never looking away, for the old law of the water is short: the one who watches a child must be older in the eyes than in the years.

Babingka maral balkan, ngawa kujinka bana bubanba, maralangka murni yinya karrban yala ngunjil wumbul marabu jambulbu, kariku nyajin yinduku, kuku mukul banamuny nyulu buban: bama nyulu karrkay nyajil, nyulu mukul-baja miyilba wungarmuny.

babi-ngka maral balka-ny, ngawa kuji-nka bana buban-ba, maral-angka murni yinya karrba-ny yala ngunjil wumbul mara-bu jambul-bu, kariku nyaji-ny yindu-ku, kuku mukul bana-muny nyulu buban: bama nyulu karrkay nyaji-l, nyulu mukul-baja miyil-ba wungar-muny | grandmother-ERG girl told, baby look.after-PURP water shallow-LOC, girl-ERG job that held like coal hot hand-INST two-INST, never looked other-DAT, law old water-of it short: person he child watches, he old-DEG2 eye-LOC year-from

jussive frame = direct [A 415] echo (Babi-ngka maral balka-ny, ngawa kuji-nka); maral/babi-ngka ERG anchors


Tie the vine twice, then go up the tree for the honey, the old man taught, lest the rotten branch drop you from the height, for the honey will still be there tomorrow, but a broken back takes a long time to become well.

Kalal kaja jambulku, yalada wandi wangkar jukuku wunbaka, mukulungku dingkarangka milbin, dakil kabubu yununy daray-maninyji wangkarmuny, wunba nyulu janay wunkuny baja, yambada muku dumbarrinmuny nyulu wungar kalbay yukil-malka.

kalal kaja jambul-ku, yala-da wandi wangkar juku-ku wunba-ka, mukul-ungku dingkar-angka milbi-ny, dakil kabu-bu yununy daray-ma-ni-nyji wangkar-muny, wunba nyulu jana-y wunkuny baja, yambada muku dumbarri-ny-muny nyulu wungar kalbay yukil-ma-nka | vine tie! twice, then rise! up tree-DAT honey-DAT, old man taught, branch rotten-ERG you fall-CAUS-PRECAUT height-from, honey it stands tomorrow too, but back broken-of it time long well-become-DAT

kalal vine (042 errata); wunba honey (errata); daray-mani drop = 157 kari daray-mana base; CAUS+PRECAUT


I would have caught the big one, every fisherman says, and the old woman laughs at them all: the line was too thin, the sun was in my eyes, the bank was wrong — but the caught fish is the only one the camp can eat, so praise the small caught one, not the big escaped one.

Ngayu kuyu yalbay bangkanyaku, balbi-bama nyubun-nyubun balkal, wulbuman yajarr-mal jananka wubulku: badur bala bajaku, wungar miyilba ngayku, jalkar mumbu, yambada kuyu maninmuny nyulu nyubun nganga bayanda nukalmuny, yalada yulmbarrika kuyu buban maninmuny, kari kuyu yalbay warrinmuny.

ngayu kuyu yalbay bangka-nyaku, balbi-bama nyubun-nyubun balka-l, wulbuman yajarr-ma-l jana-nka wubul-ku: badur bala bajaku, wungar miyil-ba ngayku, jalkar mumbu, yambada kuyu mani-ny-muny nyulu nyubun nganga bayan-da nuka-l-muny, yala-da yulmbarri-ka kuyu buban mani-ny-muny, kari kuyu yalbay warri-ny-muny | I fish big catch-IRR, fisherman each says, old.woman laughs(INCHO) them-DAT all: line thin too, sun eye-LOC my, bank wrong, but fish caught-of it one only camp-ERG eating-of, so praise! fish small caught-of, NEG fish big escaped-of

IRR; badur fishing line 158; bala skinny/thin; IMP -ka yulmbarri-ka


The boy sharpened his spear to go hunting at first light, and his grandfather watched without a word until the end, then said: take the water bag, tell your mother which way you are going, and mark the trees as you go in deep, for wanting to hunt is one thing, and coming home is the whole of it.

Bubanangka kalka junkurr-bungan dunganka muduwajuny balbinka, kamingka nyajin kuku-kari badaku, yalada balkan: bana-balji mana, ngamunda balka wanjaburr yundu dungay, juku jina-bunga yundu dunganya dukurrku, wawu-manil balbinka nyulu yamba nyubun, kaday bayanka nyulu yamba wubulku.

buban-angka kalka junkurr-bunga-ny dunga-nka muduwajuny balbi-nka, kami-ngka nyaji-ny kuku-kari bada-ku, yala-da balka-ny: bana-balji mana, ngamu-nda balka wanjaburr yundu dunga-y, juku jina-bunga yundu dunga-nya dukurr-ku, wawu-ma-ni-l balbi-nka nyulu yamba nyubun, kada-y bayan-ka nyulu yamba wubul-ku | boy-ERG spear sharpened go-PURP at-dawn hunt-DAT, grandfather-ERG watched word-less end-DAT, then said: water-bag take!, mother-LOC tell! which.way you go, tree mark! you go-SUB deep-DAT, wanting hunt-DAT it thing one, coming home-DAT it thing all

PURP chain; kami grandfather kin ERG; recipient LOC ngamu-nda; suppletive IMP mana


Dig the roots before the ground hardens, the old woman ordered in the late wet season, and cut the wood before the rain comes back, for the country makes its own times, and the person who works before the road closes eats, while the slow one stands outside.

Bangkan baka bubu dandi-manyjiku, wulbumanangka balkan bana-wungar badanga, juku yaka bana kadanyjiku baja, bubu-bu wungar nyungu-nyungu bungal, bama nyulu murnil baral nandajinyjiku nyulu nukal, bama buban-buban nyulu janay ngalkalba.

bangkan baka bubu dandi-ma-nyjiku, wulbuman-angka balka-ny bana-wungar bada-nga, juku yaka bana kada-nyjiku baja, bubu-bu wungar nyungu-nyungu bunga-l, bama nyulu murni-l baral nanda-ji-nyjiku nyulu nuka-l, bama buban-buban nyulu jana-y ngalkal-ba | root dig! ground hard-become-SUCC, old.woman said wet-season late-LOC, wood cut! rain come-SUCC too, country-ERG time its-own makes, person he works road close-SUCC he eats, person slow he stands outside-LOC

SUCC x3 incl. on INCHO and on ITR stem; zero IMPs baka/yaka


Stay close to the camp, where you can hear its voice, the old woman told the small ones, lest the scrub eat you the way it eats a lost knife, and if the dark catches you out there, stand still, hold a tree, and shout strongly, for a standing shouter is found by dawn, but a walking crier walks away from every searcher.

Janay ngundu bayanba, kuku milka-jananka, wulbumanangka karrkay-buban milbin, majajibu yununy nukalnyji yala nyulu naybu bada-maninmuny nukal, kaki wujurrbu yununy manil yinyanga, janay warri-kari, juku karrba, yirrkay junkurrbu, bama janay yirrkanya bamangka nyulu manil muduwajuny, yambada bama jilbal badinya nyulu jilbal kala-kalbay balbil-bamamuny nyubun-nyubunmuny.

jana-y ngundu bayan-ba, kuku milka-jana-nka, wulbuman-angka karrkay-buban milbi-ny, majaji-bu yununy nuka-l-nyji yala nyulu naybu bada-mani-ny-muny nuka-l, kaki wujurr-bu yununy mani-l yinya-nga, jana-y warri-kari, juku karrba, yirrka-y junkurr-bu, bama jana-y yirrka-nya bama-ngka nyulu mani-l muduwajuny, yambada bama jilba-l badi-nya nyulu jilba-l kala-kalbay balbil-bama-muny nyubun-nyubun-muny | stand! close.by camp-LOC, voice hear-PURP, old.woman little.ones told, scrub-ERG you eat-PRECAUT as it knife lost-of eats, if dark-ERG you catches there-LOC, stand! move-less, tree hold!, shout! strength-INST, person standing shout-SUB people-ERG him find at-dawn, but person walking cry-SUB he walks far.away searcher-from each-from

PRECAUT nuka-l-nyji; naybu knife loan anchor; y-conj IMPs jana-y/yirrka-y


You should have left the dog outside — the old man quoted the oldest growl in the language when the camp dog stole the meat, and everybody laughed, for people have said that sentence in this country for as long as dogs have followed people home, and they will say it tomorrow too.

Yundu kaya bawanyaku ngalkalba, mukulungku dingkarangka kuku mukul bajaku balkan, kayangka minya manin bayanmuny, bama wubulku yajarr-man, kuku yinya bamangka balkal bubungu yabarrka, kaya ngadiku bama wukurrinmuny bayanka, jana nyulu balkal wunkuny baja.

yundu kaya bawa-nyaku ngalkal-ba, mukul-ungku dingkar-angka kuku mukul bajaku balka-ny, kaya-ngka minya mani-ny bayan-muny, bama wubul-ku yajarr-ma-ny, kuku yinya bama-ngka balka-l bubu-ngu yabarrka, kaya ngadiku bama wukurri-ny-muny bayan-ka, jana nyulu balka-l wunkuny baja | you dog leave-IRR outside-LOC, old man word old most said, dog-ERG meat took camp-from, people all laughed(INCHO), sentence that people-ERG say country-LOC always, dog first person followed-of home-DAT, they it say tomorrow too

IRR direct 2750 echo (ngalkal-ba bawa-nyaku); kaya-ngka dog potent ERG anchor


Why do the old people say lest so often? a girl asked, and the old woman showed her on her fingers: eat slowly lest the food stand in the throat, watch the sky lest the storm catch you, give meat to the others lest the camp grow cold, and then she said: the little word lest is a shelter built out of other people's sorrows.

Wanyurrinku bama mukulungku balkal kuku 'nyji' wubulku bajaku? jalbu-buban babajin, wulbumanangka birribu milbin: nuka buban-buban mayi jananyji manungu, nyaji jiri jarramalibu yununy maninyji, minya daya bamanka yindunka bayan kiway-manyji, yalada nyulu balkan: kuku buban 'nyji' nyulu bayan murninmuny wawu-mumbumuny bama yindumuny.

wanyurrinku bama mukul-ungku balka-l kuku 'nyji' wubul-ku bajaku? jalbu-buban babaji-ny, wulbuman-angka birri-bu milbi-ny: nuka buban-buban mayi jana-nyji manu-ngu, nyaji jiri jarramali-bu yununy mani-nyji, minya daya bama-nka yindu-nka bayan kiway-ma-nyji, yala-da nyulu balka-ny: kuku buban 'nyji' nyulu bayan murni-ny-muny wawu-mumbu-muny bama yindu-muny | why people old-ERG say word lest many very? girl asked, old.woman finger-INST showed: eat! slowly food stand-PRECAUT throat-LOC, watch! sky storm-ERG you catch-PRECAUT, meat give! person-DAT other-DAT camp cold-become-PRECAUT, then she said: word little lest it shelter built-of sorrow-of person other-of

PRECAUT x3 chain; metalinguistic quoted 'nyji'; potent DAT bama-nka


Say the soft things while the ears can still hear them, the old woman told the proud young man, go to your father before the long sleep takes him, for a visit made in its right day is short and light, but the visit not made walks close beside you for the whole rest of your life.

Balka kuku kima milka milka-jananya baja, wulbumanangka warru walu-dandinka milbin, dungay nganjananka nyulu warngku kalbaybu maninyjiku, jilba murninmuny wungara nyulu buban kima, yambada jilba kari murninmuny nyulu jilbal yundu ngundu wawu wubulku.

balka kuku kima milka milka-jana-nya baja, wulbuman-angka warru walu-dandi-nka milbi-ny, dunga-y nganjan-anka nyulu warngku kalbay-bu mani-nyjiku, jilba murni-ny-muny wungar-a nyulu buban kima, yambada jilba kari murni-ny-muny nyulu jilba-l yundu ngundu wawu wubul-ku | say! word soft ear hear-SUB still, old.woman young.man stubborn-DAT told, go! father-DAT it sleep long-ERG take-SUCC, visit made-of day-LOC it short soft, but visit NEG made-of it walks you close.by life whole-DAT

SUCC; potent DAT nganjan-anka anchor; walu-dandi from r.36


Build the shelter with its back to the sea wind, the old man taught the young couple, lest the big wind of the storm time find the shelter's mouth, and dig the small channel around it lest the water lie in the camp, for the storm leaves alone the one who acted first, and all the others it teaches.

Bayan bunga muku muyarka jalunmuny, mukulungku dingkarangka warru-dunyu milbin, muyar yalbay jarramalimuny bayan ngandal maninyji, bana-baral buban baka bayan ngundumuny, bana wunanyji bayanba, jarramalibu bama murninmuny ngadiku bawal, bama yindu wubulku nyulu milbil.

bayan bunga muku muyar-ka jalun-muny, mukul-ungku dingkar-angka warru-dunyu milbi-ny, muyar yalbay jarramali-muny bayan ngandal mani-nyji, bana-baral buban baka bayan ngundu-muny, bana wuna-nyji bayan-ba, jarramali-bu bama murni-ny-muny ngadiku bawa-l, bama yindu wubul-ku nyulu milbi-l | shelter build! back wind-DAT sea-from, old man young-couple taught, wind big storm.time-of shelter mouth find-PRECAUT, channel small dig! camp around-from, water lie-PRECAUT camp-LOC, storm-ERG person acted-of first leaves, person other all it teaches

PRECAUT x2; ngandal 'mouth' extended to opening (transparent); muyar wind


I would have learned the old songs, a grown man admitted at the sad fire, I always meant to sit close by the old man next wet season, and the old woman did not soften it: the songs are not standing waiting somewhere, they lay as a fire in one body, so sit with your old people this wet season now, for the word later is the place where songs go to die.

Ngayu wulngku mukul binal-manyaku, bama-yalbay balkan wungar wawu-mumbuba, ngayu wawu-manin bundanka ngundu dingkaranda bana-wungar yinduba, wulbumanangka kari kuku kima-bungan: wulngku kariku janay wanjaba, jana wunan baya bangkarrba nyubunba, yalada bunda bama mukulanji bana-wungar nyiku, kuku 'yalada' nyulu bubu wanja wulngku dungay wulanka.

ngayu wulngku mukul binal-ma-nyaku, bama-yalbay balka-ny wungar wawu-mumbu-ba, ngayu wawu-mani-ny bunda-nka ngundu dingkar-anda bana-wungar yindu-ba, wulbuman-angka kari kuku kima-bunga-ny: wulngku kariku jana-y wanja-ba, jana wuna-ny baya bangkarr-ba nyubun-ba, yala-da bunda bama mukul-anji bana-wungar nyiku, kuku 'yalada' nyulu bubu wanja wulngku dunga-y wula-nka | I song old learn-INCHO-IRR, grown.man said day sorrow-LOC, I wanted sit-DAT close.by old.man-LOC wet-season other-LOC, old.woman-ERG NEG word soft-CAUS: song never stands where-LOC, they lay fire body-LOC one-LOC, so sit! people old-COMIT wet-season now, word later it place where song goes die-PURP

IRR on INCHO stem; potent COMIT -anji; PURP wula-nka; quoted 'yalada'


The one who goes out wanting everything comes home carrying nothing, the old man said of a greedy hunter: he left the bandicoot to chase the pig, left the pig to chase the turtle, and walked back in the dark with empty hands and a full story, so want one thing at a time, the way the spear wants one fish.

Bama nyulu dungay wawu-manil yamba wubulku, nyulu kaday bayanka mara-nganga, mukulungku dingkarangka balkan balbi-bamamuny jakay-dandimuny: nyulu kulngu bawan bikibiki kanganka, bikibiki bawan ngawuya kanganka, nyulu jilban baja wujurrba mara-nganga kuku-jangkar jakal-ji, yalada wawu-mana yamba nyubun wungarbu nyubunbu, yala kalkabu wawu-manil kuyu nyubun.

bama nyulu dunga-y wawu-ma-ni-l yamba wubul-ku, nyulu kada-y bayan-ka mara-nganga, mukul-ungku dingkar-angka balka-ny balbi-bama-muny jakay-dandi-muny: nyulu kulngu bawa-ny bikibiki kanga-nka, bikibiki bawa-ny ngawuya kanga-nka, nyulu jilba-ny baja wujurr-ba mara-nganga kuku-jangkar jakal-ji, yala-da wawu-mana yamba nyubun wungar-bu nyubun-bu, yala kalka-bu wawu-ma-ni-l kuyu nyubun | person he goes wanting thing all, he comes home-DAT hand-nothing, old man said hunter-of greedy-of: he bandicoot left pig chase-PURP, pig left turtle chase-PURP, he walked back dark-LOC hand-nothing story full-COMIT, so want!(get) thing one time-INST one-INST, like spear-ERG wants fish one

PURP chase chain (kanga-l 149); kulngu bandicoot anchor; suppletive IMP wawu-mana


All the little warning words are one big word, the old woman said at the end of the evening: look first. The fire, the river, the snake, the storm, the rotten branch — their word never hides itself, the country's word stands in the open, and the person who reads it lives, his hair turning clay-white while he reads.

Kuku-yinil buban wubulku nyulu kuku yalbay nyubun, wulbumanangka balkan miyil-wujurr-wujurrba badanga: nyaji ngadiku. Baya, wawubaja, jarba, jarramali, dakil kabu, kuku nyungu kariku ngakiji, kuku bubumuny janay ngalkalba, bama nyulu jana nyajil nyulu juran, mungka kambar-mal jana nyajinya.

kuku-yinil buban wubul-ku nyulu kuku yalbay nyubun, wulbuman-angka balka-ny miyil-wujurr-wujurr-ba bada-nga: nyaji ngadiku. baya, wawubaja, jarba, jarramali, dakil kabu, kuku nyungu kariku ngakiji-y, kuku bubu-muny jana-y ngalkal-ba, bama nyulu jana nyaji-l nyulu juran, mungka kambar-ma-l jana nyaji-nya | warning-word little all it word big one, old.woman said dusk-LOC end-LOC: see! first. fire, river, snake, storm, branch rotten, word their never hides(ITR), word country-of stands open-LOC, person he them reads he alive, hair clay.white-becomes(INCHO) them read-SUB

summary row; y-deletion ngakiji; callback to 049.30 kambar-mal


Don't put the axe down in the grass, don't give your spear to a man you do not know, and don't sharpen anything at dusk while the eye tells soft lies, the old man said, for the laws of the axe and the spear are short, and every short law was cut on somebody's hand.

Kari warrbi yijarrika jikanba, kari kalka daya dingkaranda yundu kari binal, kari yamba junkurr-bunga miyil-wujurr-wujurrba, miyilbu kuku kima balkanya, mukulungku dingkarangka balkan, kuku warrbimuny kalkamuny nyulu buban, kuku buban nyubun-nyubun yakanmuny maranga bamamuny.

kari warrbi yijarri-ka jikan-ba, kari kalka daya dingkar-anda yundu kari binal, kari yamba junkurr-bunga miyil-wujurr-wujurr-ba, miyil-bu kuku kima balka-nya, mukul-ungku dingkar-angka balka-ny, kuku warrbi-muny kalka-muny nyulu buban, kuku buban nyubun-nyubun yaka-ny-muny mara-nga bama-muny | NEG axe put! grass-LOC, NEG spear give! man-LOC you NEG know, NEG thing sharpen! dusk-LOC, eye-ERG word soft say-SUB, old man said, law axe-of spear-of it short, law short each cut-of hand-LOC person-of

prohibitive x3; IMP -ka yijarri-ka direct 153 echo; recipient LOC dingkar-anda


Cover the coals with sand before the wind rises, the old woman taught the girls, and the fire will still be alive under its blanket at dawn, for a fire kept through the night is a gift: the person of the evening gives it, the person at dawn takes it, and both of them are only you.

Ngunjil jukarbu nanda, wulbumanangka jalbu-buban milbin, muyar wandinyjiku, baya nyulu janay juran kararr badabada muduwajuny, baya karrbanmuny wujurrburr nyulu daji-jirray: bama wujurrba dayal, bamangka muduwajuny manil, jambul yinya yundu nganga.

ngunjil jukar-bu nanda, wulbuman-angka jalbu-buban milbi-ny, muyar wandi-nyjiku, baya nyulu jana-y juran kararr badabada muduwajuny, baya karrba-ny-muny wujurr-burr nyulu daji-jirray: bama wujurr-ba daya-l, bama-ngka muduwajuny mani-l, jambul yinya yundu nganga | coals sand-INST cover!, old.woman girls taught, wind rise-SUCC, fire it stands alive blanket underneath at-dawn, fire kept-of night-PERL it gift: person night-LOC gives, person-ERG at-dawn takes, two that you only

SUCC muyar wandi-nyjiku; kararr blanket 153; zero IMP nanda


We would have gone hungry that waterless year, the old man remembered, but the upriver people carried fish-nets down and we carried root-ground knowledge up, and not one child on this river cried from an empty stomach, and he said: hunger given out to others becomes a small hunger, but a stingy year makes many stingy years.

Ngana dakwuy-manyaku wungar bana-kari yinya, mukulungku dingkarangka milka-binalku, yambada bama wangkarmuny makarr wundin bada, ngana binal bubumuny bangkanmuny wundin wangkar, karrkay nyubun kariku badin jibar ngangamuny wawubajanga, nyulu balkan: dakwuy dayanmuny bamanka yindunka nyulu dakwuy buban-mal, wungar jakay-dandi nyulu wungar jakay-dandi wubul murnil.

ngana dakwuy-ma-nyaku wungar bana-kari yinya, mukul-ungku dingkar-angka milka-binalku, yambada bama wangkar-muny makarr wundi-ny bada, ngana binal bubu-muny bangkan-muny wundi-ny wangkar, karrkay nyubun kariku badi-ny jibar nganga-muny wawubaja-nga, nyulu balka-ny: dakwuy daya-ny-muny bama-nka yindu-nka nyulu dakwuy buban-ma-l, wungar jakay-dandi nyulu wungar jakay-dandi wubul murni-l | we hungry-become-IRR year waterless that, old man remembers, but people upriver-from net carried down, we knowledge ground-of root-of carried up, child one never cried stomach empty-from river-LOC, he said: hunger given-of person-DAT other-DAT it hunger small-becomes(INCHO), year stingy it year stingy many makes

IRR+INCHO; wundi-l carry 2750; sharing frame; gnomic -mal


Speak to the angry man tomorrow, not tonight, the old woman advised her grandson, lest two hot words build a fight that many cold words cannot pull down, for anger is a fire in dry grass: do not feed it tonight, cover it with sand, and tomorrow you will walk on warm quiet ash.

Balka dingkar kuli-jirranda wunkuny, kari wujurrba, wulbumanangka kaminjarranda milbin, kuku wumbul jambulbu kuniway bunganyji, kuku kiway-kiway wubulbu nyulu kariku bada-bungal, kuli nyulu baya jikanba bana-kari: kari nyulu mayi-daya wujurrba, jukarbu nanda, wunkuny yundu jilbal jukara wumbul wunbu.

balka dingkar kuli-jirr-anda wunkuny, kari wujurr-ba, wulbuman-angka kaminjarr-anda milbi-ny, kuku wumbul jambul-bu kuniway bunga-nyji, kuku kiway-kiway wubul-bu nyulu kariku bada-bunga-l, kuli nyulu baya jikan-ba bana-kari: kari nyulu mayi-daya wujurr-ba, jukar-bu nanda, wunkuny yundu jilba-l jukar-a wumbul wunbu | speak! man angry-COMIT-LOC tomorrow, NEG night-LOC, old.woman grandson-LOC advised, word hot two-ERG fight build-PRECAUT, word cold many-ERG it never down-pulls, anger it fire grass-LOC waterless: NEG it feed! night-LOC, sand-INST cover!, tomorrow you walk ash-LOC warm quiet

PRECAUT; COMIT+case -jirr-anda; addressee potent LOC; jukar-a single-r LOC


Put the black beans in water, then grind them, and grind before the sun stands high, the old woman taught the girls the old word-road, then wash the meal in the running water for many days, for the tree that feeds you in the hungry time asks first for patience in the full time.

Baway bananga yijarrika, yalada yurri, yurri wungar wangkar jananyjiku, wulbumanangka jalbu-buban kuku-baral mukul milbin, yalada mayi julurrika bana warrinya wungar wubulku, bawaybu yununy mayi-dayal wungar dakwuyba, nyulu babajil ngadiku wawu-karrbaka wungar jakalba.

baway bana-nga yijarri-ka, yala-da yurri, yurri wungar wangkar jana-nyjiku, wulbuman-angka jalbu-buban kuku-baral mukul milbi-ny, yala-da mayi julurri-ka bana warri-nya wungar wubul-ku, baway-bu yununy mayi-daya-l wungar dakwuy-ba, nyulu babaji-l ngadiku wawu-karrba-ka wungar jakal-ba | black.bean water-LOC put!, then grind!, grind! sun up stand-SUCC, old.woman girls word-road old taught, then meal wash! water run-SUB day many-DAT, black.bean-ERG you feeds time hungry-LOC, it asks first patience-DAT time full-LOC

baway black bean 1929 (the leaching chain is its real use); SUCC; zero IMP yurri; y-final ERG baway-... (baway-bu V? y-final -njV — see review)


The old man would have slept, but the young ones were singing the wrong verse again and again at the far fire, so he rose, walked over in his blanket, sat down without a word, and sang it once correctly, and the wrong verse died that night, for nothing kills an error like one quiet true showing.

Mukul dingkar wunanyaku, yambada warru-warru wulngku mumbu badin baja baja baya kala-kalbaymba, yalada nyulu wandin, jilban kararr-ji, bundan kuku-kari, wulngku badin nyubunbu yukil, wulngku mumbu wulan wujurr yinyanga, kari yambabu kunil kuku-mumbu yala milbil wunbu yukil nyubunbu.

mukul dingkar wuna-nyaku, yambada warru-warru wulngku mumbu badi-ny baja baja baya kala-kalbay-mba, yala-da nyulu wandi-ny, jilba-ny kararr-ji, bunda-ny kuku-kari, wulngku badi-ny nyubun-bu yukil, wulngku mumbu wula-ny wujurr yinya-nga, kari yamba-bu kuni-l kuku-mumbu yala milbi-l wunbu yukil nyubun-bu | old man sleep-IRR, but young.men song wrong sang again again fire far-LOC, so he rose, walked blanket-COMIT, sat word-less, song sang once true, song wrong died night that-LOC, NEG thing-ERG kills word-wrong like showing quiet true one-INST

IRR; wulngku badi 'sing' attested collocation; y-final LOC kala-kalbay-mba


The girl practises making her name on paper to show the old woman, and the old woman practises saying the girl's English name to show the girl, and the two of them laugh, two mouths working carefully, two learners at one fire, each one holding a promise in the other one's country.

Jalbu-bubanangka kuku nyungu kabanba murnil milbinka wulbumananda, wulbumanangka kuku waybalamuny maralmuny balkal milbinka maralanda, jana jambul yajarr-mal, ngandal jambul buban-buban murninya, binal-bama jambul bayanga nyubunba, nyubun-nyubun kuku-junkurr karrbal bubungu bama yindumuny.

jalbu-buban-angka kuku nyungu kaban-ba murni-l milbi-nka wulbuman-anda, wulbuman-angka kuku waybala-muny maral-muny balka-l milbi-nka maral-anda, jana jambul yajarr-ma-l, ngandal jambul buban-buban murni-nya, binal-bama jambul baya-nga nyubun-ba, nyubun-nyubun kuku-junkurr karrba-l bubu-ngu bama yindu-muny | girl-ERG name her paper-LOC makes show-DAT old.woman-LOC, old.woman-ERG name English-of girl-of says show-DAT girl-LOC, they two laugh(INCHO), mouth two carefully work-SUB, learner two fire-LOC one-LOC, each promise holds country-LOC person other-of

kaban paper element (miyil-kaban-ji); show recipient LOC -anda; loans: kaban


Never put your foot where you cannot see the bottom, the old man said at the crossing full of floodwater, and never pick a fight with bad water, lest the river call you too, for the water-taken were all strong swimmers — the weak ones are still alive on the bank.

Kari jina bunga wanja yundu bubu badabada kari nyajil, mukulungku dingkarangka balkan bana-baralba bana-yalbay-ji, kari kuniway-maka banaka mumbuka, wawubajabu yununy kunjanyji baja, bama bana-manin jana wubulku maraji-bama junkurr, bama kala-burra jana juran jalkara yabarrka.

kari jina bunga wanja yundu bubu badabada kari nyaji-l, mukul-ungku dingkar-angka balka-ny bana-baral-ba bana-yalbay-ji, kari kuniway-ma-ka bana-ka mumbu-ka, wawubaja-bu yununy kunja-nyji baja, bama bana-mani-ny jana wubul-ku maraji-bama junkurr, bama kala-burra jana juran jalkar-a yabarrka | NEG foot put! where you ground underneath NEG see, old man said crossing-LOC floodwater-COMIT, NEG fight-become! water-DAT bad-DAT, river-ERG you call-PRECAUT too, person water-taken they all swimmer strong, person weak they alive bank-LOC still

prohibitive kari + INCHO IMP -maka; PRECAUT kunja-nyji; DAT-of-stimulus


Sharpen the axe before the work asks for it, mend the net before the torn place grows big, tie the spear-point before the hunt tests it, the old man said the one lesson three ways, for the mend made early is a small word, and the mend made at the end is a long story.

Warrbi junkurr-bunga murni nyulu babajinyjiku, makarr murni yukil dumbarrinmuny yalbay-manyjiku, kalka-murru kaja balbil nyulu nyajinyjiku, mukulungku dingkarangka milbil nyubun balkan kulurbu, murni murninmuny ngadiku nyulu kuku buban, murni murninmuny badaku nyulu kuku-jangkar kalbay.

warrbi junkurr-bunga murni nyulu babaji-nyjiku, makarr murni yukil dumbarri-ny-muny yalbay-ma-nyjiku, kalka-murru kaja balbil nyulu nyaji-nyjiku, mukul-ungku dingkar-angka milbi-l nyubun balka-ny kulur-bu, murni murni-ny-muny ngadiku nyulu kuku buban, murni murni-ny-muny bada-ku nyulu kuku-jangkar kalbay | axe sharpen! work it ask-SUCC, net mend! well torn-of big-become-SUCC, spear-point tie! hunt it test-SUCC, old man teaching one said three-INST, mend made-of early it word small, mend made-of end-DAT it story long

SUCC x3 incl. on INCHO; kulur-bu 'three ways'; zero IMPs


What would you have done differently? the girls asked the old woman, and she thought a long time by the fire and said: I would have asked my grandmother more questions, everything else found its own road, but her words went under the ground with her, and that is the one hunger that no wet season ever ends.

Wanyu yundu murninyaku yindubu? jalbu-bubanangka wulbuman babajin, wulbuman milkabu baykan kalbay bayanga, yalada balkan: ngayu babi ngayku babajinyaku kuku wubulku-baja, yamba yindu wubulku baral nyungu-nyungu manin, yambada kuku nyungu dungan badabada bubungu baja, yinya dakwuy nyubun bana-wungarbu kariku kunbay-manil.

wanyu yundu murni-nyaku yindu-bu? jalbu-buban-angka wulbuman babaji-ny, wulbuman milka-bu bayka-ny kalbay baya-nga, yala-da balka-ny: ngayu babi ngayku babaji-nyaku kuku wubul-ku-baja, yamba yindu wubul-ku baral nyungu-nyungu mani-ny, yambada kuku nyungu dunga-ny badabada bubu-ngu baja, yinya dakwuy nyubun bana-wungar-bu kariku kunba-y-mani-l | what you do-IRR differently? girls-ERG old.woman asked, old.woman ear-INST thought long fire-LOC, then said: I grandmother my ask-IRR question more, thing other all road its-own found, but word her went underneath ground-LOC too, that hunger one wet.season-ERG never finishes

IRR x2 in Q+A; DEG2 wubul-ku-baja; kunba-y-mani-l finish 165


Carry a story the way you carry water, the old woman warned the young women, with both eyes on your own feet, lest the word that was given to one person alone go down and be lost on the road, for the camp that drinks that story wants more, but the carrier gets the bad name for the flood.

Kuku-jangkar wundi yala yundu bana wundil, wulbumanangka jalbu-buban milbin, miyil jambul jinanga nyungu-nyungunga, kuku dayanmuny bamanka nyubunku nganga bada dunganyji baralba, bayan nyulu kuku yinya nukal nyulu wawu-manil wubulku-baja, yambada wundil-bama nyulu kuku-mumbu manil bana-yalbaymuny.

kuku-jangkar wundi yala yundu bana wundi-l, wulbuman-angka jalbu-buban milbi-ny, miyil jambul jina-nga nyungu-nyungu-nga, kuku daya-ny-muny bama-nka nyubun-ku nganga bada dunga-nyji baral-ba, bayan nyulu kuku yinya nuka-l nyulu wawu-ma-ni-l wubul-ku-baja, yambada wundi-l-bama nyulu kuku-mumbu mani-l bana-yalbay-muny | story carry! as you water carry, old.woman young.women warned, eye two foot-LOC own-LOC, word given-of person-DAT one-DAT only down go-PRECAUT road-LOC, camp it story that drinks it wants more, but carry-person he bad.name gets flood-from

PRECAUT; zero IMP wundi; gossip-as-water extended frame


Learn the net-tying before the old hands stop, the old man pressed the young men with his words, sit at the net-mending before the eyes that know it close, for a skill waits quietly all your life, and then one morning it has simply gone, like the scrub-hen that was on that branch every day until the one day it was not.

Makarr-kajal binal-maka mara mukul jananyjiku, mukulungku dingkarangka warru-warru jurrngan kukubu, bunda makarr-murninga miyil binal nandajinyjiku, binal nyulu janay wunbu wawu wubulku, yalada muduwaju nyubunbu nyulu dungan, yala jarruka dakilba nyubun-nyubun wungar, wungar nyubunbu nyulu kari.

makarr-kaja-l binal-ma-ka mara mukul jana-nyjiku, mukul-ungku dingkar-angka warru-warru jurrnga-ny kuku-bu, bunda makarr-murni-nga miyil binal nanda-ji-nyjiku, binal nyulu jana-y wunbu wawu wubul-ku, yala-da muduwaju nyubun-bu nyulu dunga-ny, yala jarruka dakil-ba nyubun-nyubun wungar, wungar nyubun-bu nyulu kari | net-tying learn-INCHO-IMP! hand old stop-SUCC, old man young.men pressed word-INST, sit! net-mending-LOC eye knowing close-SUCC, skill it stands quiet life whole-DAT, then morning one-INST it gone, like scrub.hen branch-LOC each day, day one-INST it not

IMP -ma-ka direct 155 echo; SUCC x2; jarruka scrub-hen used in its TRUE sense (unlike 048)


The two brothers would have been taken by the water at the narrow crossing, the old people still count it among the near things, but an uncle on the bank read the water fast and threw the long vine early, and both came home wet and alive, and the camp fed that uncle first for a whole wet season.

Yabaju jambul bana-maninyaku bana-baralba bubanba, bama mukulungku yinya yabarrka milka-binalku, yambada kalngangka jalkara bana nyajin warri, kalal kalbay yilban ngadiku, jambul kadan bayanka bana-ji juran baja, bayanda kalnga yinya mayi-dayan ngadiku bana-wungar nyubunku.

yabaju jambul bana-mani-nyaku bana-baral-ba buban-ba, bama mukul-ungku yinya yabarrka milka-binalku, yambada kalnga-ngka jalkar-a bana nyaji-ny warri, kalal kalbay yilba-ny ngadiku, jambul kada-ny bayan-ka bana-ji juran baja, bayan-da kalnga yinya mayi-daya-ny ngadiku bana-wungar nyubun-ku | brother two water-taken-IRR crossing-LOC narrow-LOC, people old-ERG that still remember, but uncle-ERG bank-LOC water read fast, vine long threw early, two came home-DAT water-COMIT alive too, camp-ERG uncle that food-gave first wet.season one-DAT

IRR passive-ish 'would have been taken'; kalnga uncle kin ERG -ngka; kalal vine


Put the baby down on the far side of you from the fire, the old woman moved the young mother's arms without a word, lest the small sleeper go onto the coals in the night, for the mother's body is the oldest wall, and it stands always between the child and the fire.

Ngawa yijarrika kala-kalbay bayamuny, wulbumanangka mara jalbu-bubanmuny murnin kuku-kari, karrkay-buban ngunjilku dunganyji wujurrba, bangkarr ngamumuny nyulu bayan dandi mukul bajaku, nyulu janay karrkay-buban bayamuny yabarrka.

ngawa yijarri-ka kala-kalbay baya-muny, wulbuman-angka mara jalbu-buban-muny murni-ny kuku-kari, karrkay-buban ngunjil-ku dunga-nyji wujurr-ba, bangkarr ngamu-muny nyulu bayan dandi mukul bajaku, nyulu jana-y karrkay-buban baya-muny yabarrka | baby put! far.away fire-from, old.woman-ERG arm young.woman-of moved word-less, small.sleeper coals-DAT go-PRECAUT night-LOC, body mother-of it wall(shelter) hard old most, it stands child fire-from always

PRECAUT; IMP -ka yijarri-ka; silent-correction teaching frame


They would have found the hidden water in half a day, the old man turned his head over the travellers without water, if they had asked any grandmother at the last camp, for the water knowledge lives with the old women, but the young men asked only themselves, and the self knows every road except the one to water.

Jana bana ngakijinmuny maninyaku wungar-bubanbu, mukulungku dingkarangka dukul murnin jilba-bamanka bana-mundu, kaki jana babajinyaku babi nyubun-nyubun bayanba badaba, binal banamuny nyulu wunay wulbumananda, yambada warru-warrungku babajin nganga nyulu-nyulu, nyulu-nyulu binal baral wubulku, kari baral banaka nganga.

jana bana ngakiji-ny-muny mani-nyaku wungar-buban-bu, mukul-ungku dingkar-angka dukul murni-ny jilba-bama-nka bana-mundu, kaki jana babaji-nyaku babi nyubun-nyubun bayan-ba bada-ba, binal bana-muny nyulu wuna-y wulbuman-anda, yambada warru-warru-ngku babaji-ny nganga nyulu-nyulu, nyulu-nyulu binal baral wubul-ku, kari baral bana-ka nganga | they water hidden-of find-IRR half.day-INST, old man head turned traveller-DAT water-without, if they ask-IRR grandmother any camp-LOC last-LOC, knowledge water-of it lives old.woman-LOC, but young.men-ERG asked only themselves, self knows road all, NEG road water-DAT only

IRR x2 (counterfactual condition); correct ABESS bana-mundu 'without water'


Carry two firesticks when you walk at night, the old man taught, one burning and one sleeping, lest the wind kill the first and you stand in the whole dark, for the traveller with eyes is his own dawn, and the careless one stands very still until the true dawn comes.

Baya-juku jambul wundi jilbanka wujurrba, mukulungku dingkarangka milbin, nyubun wajunya nyubun wunanya, muyarbu nyubun ngadiku kuninyji, yundu janay wujurrba wubulba, jilba-bama miyil-ji nyulu muduwaju nyungu-nyungu, jilba-bama milka-kari nyulu janay warri-kari bajaku muduwaju yukil kadanyjiku.

baya-juku jambul wundi jilba-nka wujurr-ba, mukul-ungku dingkar-angka milbi-ny, nyubun waju-nya nyubun wuna-nya, muyar-bu nyubun ngadiku kuni-nyji, yundu jana-y wujurr-ba wubul-ba, jilba-bama miyil-ji nyulu muduwaju nyungu-nyungu, jilba-bama milka-kari nyulu jana-y warri-kari bajaku muduwaju yukil kada-nyjiku | firestick two carry! walk-PURP night-LOC, old man taught, one burn-SUB one sleep-SUB, wind-ERG one first kill-PRECAUT, you stand dark-LOC whole-LOC, traveller eye-COMIT he dawn his-own, traveller ear-less he stands move-less very dawn true come-SUCC

PRECAUT + SUCC in one row; baya-juku firestick transparent compound


What did you take the dog into the shelter for? the old man asked, laughing, in the old words — you should have left it outside — and the boy did what the dog itself does, looked down and said nothing, so the whole camp laughed, and the dog too, hardest of all.

Wanyurrinku yundu kaya wundin bayanka? mukulungku dingkarangka babajin yajarr-ji kukubu mukulbu, yundu nyulu bawanyaku ngalkalba, buban murnin yala kaya nyungu-nyungu, nyajin bada, balkan yamba-kari, yalada bayan wubulku yajarr-man, kaya baja junkurr bajaku.

wanyurrinku yundu kaya wundi-ny bayan-ka? mukul-ungku dingkar-angka babaji-ny yajarr-ji kuku-bu mukul-bu, yundu nyulu bawa-nyaku ngalkal-ba, buban murni-ny yala kaya nyungu-nyungu, nyaji-ny bada, balka-ny yamba-kari, yala-da bayan wubul-ku yajarr-ma-ny, kaya baja junkurr bajaku | why you dog took shelter-DAT? old man asked laugh-COMIT word-INST old-INST, you it leave-IRR outside-LOC, boy did like dog itself, looked down, said nothing, then camp whole laughed(INCHO), dog too strong most

full grammar 2750 dialogue echo (wanyurringku yundu kaya wundi-ny... bawa-nyaku ngalkal-ba)


Move the camp to the high ground before the first big rain comes, the old people never argued about that one, get the nets before the river talks, and go before the wet ground makes the walking hard, for the person who moves early chooses the new camp, and the person who moves late takes what was left.

Bayan wundi bubu wangkarku bana yalbay ngadiku kadanyjiku, bama mukulungku yinyaka kariku balka-way, makarr mana wawubaja balkanyjiku, dungay bubu bana-ji jilba dandi-bunganyjiku, bama nyulu warri dungay nyulu bayan jirakal wawu-manil, bama nyulu badaku dungay nyulu manil yamba bawanmuny.

bayan wundi bubu wangkar-ku bana yalbay ngadiku kada-nyjiku, bama mukul-ungku yinya-ka kariku balka-wa-y, makarr mana wawubaja balka-nyjiku, dunga-y bubu bana-ji jilba dandi-bunga-nyjiku, bama nyulu warri dunga-y nyulu bayan jirakal wawu-ma-ni-l, bama nyulu bada-ku dunga-y nyulu mani-l yamba bawa-ny-muny | camp carry! ground high-DAT rain big first come-SUCC, people old-ERG that-DAT never argue-RECIP, net get! river talk-SUCC, go! ground wet-COMIT walking hard-CAUS-SUCC, person he early goes he camp good chooses, person he late goes he takes thing left-of

SUCC x3 incl. on CAUS; RECIP balka-wa-y 'argue'; suppletive IMP mana


She would have married the loud one, the old woman told her granddaughters about her own young days, he shone like the wet-season lightning, but my grandmother made me carry water beside the quiet man for one whole season, and lightning is good to look at for one night, she said, but the slow rain fills the root grounds.

Ngayu dingkar kuku-yalbay dunyu-maninyaku, wulbumanangka kaminjarr-karranda balkan wungar warrumuny nyungu-nyungumuny, nyulu jilu-jilu yala balbay bana-wungarmuny, yambada babingka ngayu bana wundi-bungan ngundu dingkaranda wunbu bana-wungar nyubunku, balbay nyulu yukil nyajinka wujurr nyubunku, nyulu balkan, yambada bana buban-buban jakal-bungal bubu bangkanmuny.

ngayu dingkar kuku-yalbay dunyu-mani-nyaku, wulbuman-angka kaminjarr-karra-nda balka-ny wungar warru-muny nyungu-nyungu-muny, nyulu jilu-jilu yala balbay bana-wungar-muny, yambada babi-ngka ngayu bana wundi-bunga-ny ngundu dingkar-anda wunbu bana-wungar nyubun-ku, balbay nyulu yukil nyaji-nka wujurr nyubun-ku, nyulu balka-ny, yambada bana buban-buban jakal-bunga-l bubu bangkan-muny | I man loud marry-IRR, old.woman granddaughter-KPL-LOC told day young-of own-of, he shining like lightning wet.season-of, but grandmother-ERG me water carry-CAUS close.by man-LOC quiet season one-DAT, lightning it good see-DAT night one-DAT, she said, but rain slow fills ground root-of

IRR; balbay lightning 903; jilu-jilu glossy/shining; CAUS wundi-bunga-ny made-carry


Take two slow breaths before you answer a bad word, the old man taught the angry boy, lest the mouth give away in one breath what the back must pay across a year, for words go out fast and free, and they come home hard, and the tongue has no bone, but it breaks bones.

Wawu mana jambulku buban-buban kuku-mumbuka balkanka ngadiku, mukulungku dingkarangka buban kuli-jirranka milbin, ngandalbu yamba wubulku dayanyji wawu nyubunbu, kuku dungay warri ngalkalku, jana kaday bayanka dandi, nyabil bajibay-kari yambada nyulu bajibay dumbarril.

wawu mana jambul-ku buban-buban kuku-mumbu-ka balka-nka ngadiku, mukul-ungku dingkar-angka buban kuli-jirr-anka milbi-ny, ngandal-bu yamba wubul-ku daya-nyji wawu nyubun-bu, kuku dunga-y warri ngalkal-ku, jana kada-y bayan-ka dandi, nyabil bajibay-kari yambada nyulu bajibay dumbarri-l | breath take! twice slowly bad.word-DAT answer-PURP before, old man boy angry-COMIT-DAT taught, mouth-ERG thing all give-PRECAUT breath one-INST, word goes fast open-DAT, they come home-DAT hard, tongue bone-less but it bone breaks

PRECAUT; tongue-no-bone proverb rendered fully attested; COMIT+case -jirr-anka


Tell the children the flood story before the flood comes back, the old woman pressed the young parents every wet season, for the water returns on its own law, and a story told in the right time is a hard shelter, but a story told afterwards is only a stone with marks on it.

Karrkay-karrkaynka kuku-jangkar bana-yalbaymuny balka bana kadanyjiku baja, wulbumanangka warru-dunyu jurrngan bana-wungar nyubun-nyubunba, bana nyulu kaday baja kuku nyungu-nyungubu, kuku-jangkar balkanmuny wungara yukilba nyulu bayan dandi, yambada kuku-jangkar balkanmuny badaku nyulu kulji nganga jina-ji.

karrkay-karrkay-nka kuku-jangkar bana-yalbay-muny balka bana kada-nyjiku baja, wulbuman-angka warru-dunyu jurrnga-ny bana-wungar nyubun-nyubun-ba, bana nyulu kada-y baja kuku nyungu-nyungu-bu, kuku-jangkar balka-ny-muny wungar-a yukil-ba nyulu bayan dandi, yambada kuku-jangkar balka-ny-muny bada-ku nyulu kulji nganga jina-ji | children-DAT story flood-of tell! flood come-SUCC back, old.woman-ERG young-couple pressed wet.season each-LOC, water it comes back law its-own-INST, story told-of time-LOC right-LOC it shelter hard, but story told-of after-DAT it stone only mark-COMIT

SUCC; jurrnga-l press/push; grave-stone closing image with attested jina 'mark'


Don't take the other man's net without his word, even to save a short time, even in the small rain, the old man said, flat as a stone, for a thing taken without a word slowly becomes a bad thing, and the river is long, but the talk about you is longer.

Kari mana makarr dingkarmuny yindumuny kuku-mundu nyungu, wungar bubanku baja, bana bubanba baja, mukulungku dingkarangka balkan dandi yala kulji, yamba maninmuny kuku-mundu nyulu buban-buban yamba-mumbu-mal, wawubaja nyulu kalbay, yambada kuku yundumuny nyulu kalbay-baja.

kari mana makarr dingkar-muny yindu-muny kuku-mundu nyungu, wungar buban-ku baja, bana buban-ba baja, mukul-ungku dingkar-angka balka-ny dandi yala kulji, yamba mani-ny-muny kuku-mundu nyulu buban-buban yamba-mumbu-ma-l, wawubaja nyulu kalbay, yambada kuku yundu-muny nyulu kalbay-baja | NEG take! net man-of other-of word-without his, time short-DAT even, rain small-LOC even, old man said hard like stone, thing taken-of word-without it slowly bad.thing-becomes(INCHO), river it long, but talk you-about it long-DEG2

correct ABESS kuku-mundu 'without his word' x2; prohibitive with suppletive IMP


The whole high ground would have burned, the old man still shows the black trees, from one small fire left sleeping, so hear the oldest fire law twice: the fire you light is your own child until it is completely dead, and a fire has no younger brothers, every single one is firstborn trouble.

Bubu wangkar wubulku wajunyaku, mukulungku dingkarangka yabarrka milbil juku ngumbu, bayamuny nyubunmuny bubanmuny bawanmuny wunanya, yalada milka-janay kuku baya mukul bajaku jambulku: baya yundu wajunmuny nyulu kangkal yundumuny nyulu wulanyjiku bajaku, baya nyulu yabaju-kari, baya nyubun-nyubun nyulu yamba-mumbu ngadiku-wandinmuny.

bubu wangkar wubul-ku waju-nyaku, mukul-ungku dingkar-angka yabarrka milbi-l juku ngumbu, baya-muny nyubun-muny buban-muny bawa-ny-muny wuna-nya, yala-da milka-jana-y kuku baya mukul bajaku jambul-ku: baya yundu waju-ny-muny nyulu kangkal yundu-muny nyulu wula-nyjiku bajaku, baya nyulu yabaju-kari, baya nyubun-nyubun nyulu yamba-mumbu ngadiku-wandi-ny-muny | ground high whole burn-IRR, old man still shows tree black, fire-from one-from small-from left-of sleep-SUB, so listen! law fire old most twice: fire you lit-of it own.child your-of it die-SUCC completely, fire it younger.brother-less, fire each it trouble first-risen-of

IRR + SUCC in one law; ngumbu black (048-confirmed); kin-metaphor with kangkal/yabaju


When do we say nyaku, and when do we say nyji? a sharp-eyed girl asked, and the old woman gave her the two roads: say nyaku for the thing that would have stood but did not stand, and say nyji for the thing whose road you shut, one of them looks back at a departed spirit, one of them looks ahead at a snake.

Wanjawanja ngana balkal 'nyaku', wanjawanja 'nyji'? jalbu-buban miyil-ji babajin, wulbumanangka maralanda baral jambul dayan: balka 'nyaku' yambaka, nyulu jananyaku yambada kari janan, balka 'nyji' yambaka, yundu baral nyungu nandal, nyubunbu nyajil bada wawuka dunganmuny, nyubunbu nyajil ngadiku jarbaka.

wanja-wanja ngana balka-l 'nyaku', wanja-wanja 'nyji'? jalbu-buban miyil-ji babaji-ny, wulbuman-angka maral-anda baral jambul daya-ny: balka 'nyaku' yamba-ka, nyulu jana-nyaku yambada kari jana-ny, balka 'nyji' yamba-ka, yundu baral nyungu nanda-l, nyubun-bu nyaji-l bada wawu-ka dunga-ny-muny, nyubun-bu nyaji-l ngadiku jarba-ka | when we say nyaku, when nyji? girl eye-COMIT asked, old.woman-ERG girl-LOC road two gave: say! nyaku thing-DAT, it stand-IRR but NEG stood, say! nyji thing-DAT, you road its shut, one-ERG looks back spirit-DAT gone-of, one-ERG looks ahead snake-DAT

metalinguistic row teaching IRR-vs-PRECAUT semantics itself; recipient LOC maral-anda


At the end of the warning nights the old woman tied all the teachings into one short rope: look first, act early, want one thing, answer tomorrow, and leave every camp so that you can walk back into it, for the person who lives by those words is never rich in things and never big in name, only alive, old, and welcomed at every camp, and that is taking everything.

Badanga wujurrmuny milbilmuny wulbumanangka milbil wubulku kajan karraka nyubunku bubanku: nyaji ngadiku, murni ngadiku, wawu-mana yamba nyubun, balka wunkuny, bawa bayan nyubun-nyubun yundu kadanka baja, bama nyulu kuku yinyabu juran, nyulu kariku yamba-ji wubul, kariku kuku-yalbay-ji, nganga juran, mukul, yulmbarrinmuny bayanba nyubun-nyubunba, yinya nyulu yamba wubulku maninmuny.

bada-nga wujurr-muny milbi-l-muny wulbuman-angka milbi-l wubul-ku kaja-ny karra-ka nyubun-ku buban-ku: nyaji ngadiku, murni ngadiku, wawu-mana yamba nyubun, balka wunkuny, bawa bayan nyubun-nyubun yundu kada-nka baja, bama nyulu kuku yinya-bu juran, nyulu kariku yamba-ji wubul, kariku kuku-yalbay-ji, nganga juran, mukul, yulmbarri-ny-muny bayan-ba nyubun-nyubun-ba, yinya nyulu yamba wubul-ku mani-ny-muny | end-LOC night-of teaching-of old.woman-ERG teaching all tied rope-DAT one-DAT short-DAT: see! first, act! early, want! thing one, answer! tomorrow, leave! camp each you come-PURP back, person he word those-INST alive, he never thing-COMIT many, never name-big-COMIT, only alive, old, welcomed-of camp-LOC every-LOC, that it thing all taking-of

capstone: the five imperatives recap the batch; PURP kada-nka; DAT-goal karra-ka


The seasons walk a round road of signs, the old woman taught: when the black bean drops its pods the cold is near, when the trees come into flower the honey is coming, when the scrub-hen builds her mound the rain is close, so the country always shows the word of the seasons, it never tells a lie, you only have to walk in it with your eyes.

Wungar-jina nyulu baral murru jilbal jina-jibu, wulbumanangka milbin: baway diburr badanya kiway ngundu, juku nganka-ji-manya wunba kaday, jarruka bayan bunganya kaba ngundu, bubu nyulu kuku wungarmuny milbil yabarrka, kari nyulu kuku-mumbu balkal, yundu nganga jilbal miyil-ji.

wungar-jina nyulu baral murru jilba-l jina-ji-bu, wulbuman-angka milbi-ny: baway diburr bada-nya kiway ngundu, juku nganka-ji-ma-nya wunba kada-y, jarruka bayan bunga-nya kaba ngundu, bubu nyulu kuku wungar-muny milbi-l yabarrka, kari nyulu kuku-mumbu balka-l, yundu nganga jilba-l miyil-ji | seasons it road round walks sign-COMIT-INST, old.woman taught: black.bean pod drop-SUB cold close.by, tree flower-COMIT-become-SUB honey comes, scrub.hen camp build-SUB rain close.by, country it word season-of shows always, NEG it lie speaks, you only walk eye-COMIT

season-sign frame (2301 pattern); kiway nominal 'the cold' [A 443]; jarruka mound-building true sense


In the cold season the dew lies white on the grass at dawn, the breath stands visible in front of the mouth, and the old people sit long at the fire telling the deep stories, for the cold season is the story season, when the night is long and the snake is sleeping.

Bulur-iji bulur wunay kambar jikanba muduwajuny, wawu janay nyajilmuny ngandal ngadiku, bama mukul bundal kalbay bayanga kuku-jangkar dukurr balkanya, bulur-iji nyulu kuku-jangkar-wungar, wujurr kalbay, jarba wunay.

bulur-iji bulur wuna-y kambar jikan-ba muduwajuny, wawu jana-y nyaji-l-muny ngandal ngadiku, bama mukul bunda-l kalbay baya-nga kuku-jangkar dukurr balka-nya, bulur-iji nyulu kuku-jangkar-wungar, wujurr kalbay, jarba wuna-y | cold.season dew lies white grass-LOC at-dawn, breath stands visible mouth before, people old sit long fire-LOC story deep tell-SUB, cold.season it story-season, night long, snake sleeps

bulur-iji cold season 540/2510; bulur dew (grammar-attested base); bare temporal season name


In the hot season the camp follows the shade and the water, the old man said: walk at dawn, rest while the sun stands high, go again when the sun falls, for the hot season never forgives the traveller who picks a fight with the high sun.

Wangariji bayan wukurril wabarr bana baja, mukulungku dingkarangka balkan: jilba muduwajuny, kalka wungar wangkar jananya, dungay baja wungar daraynya, wangarijibu kariku bawal jilba-bama, nyulu kuniway-mal wungarka wangkarka.

wangariji bayan wukurri-l wabarr bana baja, mukul-ungku dingkar-angka balka-ny: jilba muduwajuny, kalka wungar wangkar jana-nya, dunga-y baja wungar daray-nya, wangariji-bu kariku bawa-l jilba-bama, nyulu kuniway-ma-l wungar-ka wangkar-ka | hot.season camp follows shade water too, old man said: walk! at-dawn, rest! sun high stand-SUB, go! again sun fall-SUB, hot.season-ERG never leaves(forgives) traveller, he fight-becomes sun-DAT high-DAT

wangariji hot season; wabarr shade FIRST USE; wungar daray sunset attested; kalka-l rest


The first big rain of the wet walks in from the north with a dark face in front of it, and the children ran shouting under it while the old people carried the bags inside, and the old woman laughed: the rain is new for every child and old for every leg, so let them run, the coals are covered.

Kaba yalbay ngadiku bana-wungarmuny kaday kungkarrmuny walu wujurr-ji ngadiku, karrkay-karrkay warrin yirrkanya badabada, bama mukulungku balji wundin bayanka, wulbumanangka yajarr-man: kaba nyulu jirakal karrkaynka nyubun-nyubunka, mukul jandalka nyubun-nyubunka, bawa jana warrinka, ngunjil nandanmuny.

kaba yalbay ngadiku bana-wungar-muny kada-y kungkarr-muny walu wujurr-ji ngadiku, karrkay-karrkay warri-ny yirrka-nya badabada, bama mukul-ungku balji wundi-ny bayan-ka, wulbuman-angka yajarr-ma-ny: kaba nyulu jirakal karrkay-nka nyubun-nyubun-ka, mukul jandal-ka nyubun-nyubun-ka, bawa jana warri-nka, ngunjil nanda-ny-muny | rain big first wet.season-of comes north-from face dark-COMIT before, children ran shout-SUB underneath, people old-ERG bag carried camp-DAT, old.woman laughed(INCHO): rain it new child-DAT each-DAT, old leg-DAT each-DAT, leave! them run-PURP, coals covered-of

kaba rain FIRST USE; wet arrives from the north (grammar 711 seasonality)


A flood is the river remembering its whole country, the old man said from the high ground: it walks out of its own bed and visits every low place that was ever its own, so never build the baby camp or the story camp on the flood's old roads, for the high ground keeps the long things.

Jalungkarr nyulu wawubaja milka-binalku bubu nyungu wubulku, mukulungku dingkarangka balkan bubu wangkarmuny, nyulu jilbal bayanmuny nyungu-nyungumuny nyajil bubu bada nyubun-nyubun nyungu ngadikumuny, yalada kari bunga bayan ngawamuny bayan kuku-jangkarmuny baralba mukulba jalungkarrmuny, bubu wangkarbu karrbal yamba kalbay.

jalungkarr nyulu wawubaja milka-binalku bubu nyungu wubul-ku, mukul-ungku dingkar-angka balka-ny bubu wangkar-muny, nyulu jilba-l bayan-muny nyungu-nyungu-muny nyaji-l bubu bada nyubun-nyubun nyungu ngadiku-muny, yala-da kari bunga bayan ngawa-muny bayan kuku-jangkar-muny baral-ba mukul-ba jalungkarr-muny, bubu wangkar-bu karrba-l yamba kalbay | flood it river remembers country its whole, old man said ground high-from, it walks bed-from its-own sees place low each its before-of, so NEG build! camp baby-of camp story-of road-LOC old-LOC flood-of, ground high-ERG holds thing long

jalungkarr flood FIRST USE; prohibitive; flood-memory frame


The moon pulls the tide the way a mother pulls a blanket, the old woman said on the seashore: big moon, big water, the high tide walks far up through the sand and the low tide walks far out, and the one who knows the moon knows where the sea's food stands tonight.

Kijabu yira kulbal yala ngamungku kararr kulbal, wulbumanangka balkan yalmbanga: kija yalbay, bana yalbay, balar jilbal kala-kalbay wangkar jukarburr, ngajal jilbal kala-kalbay bada, bama nyulu kija binal nyulu binal wanja mayi jalunmuny janay wujurrba.

kija-bu yira kulba-l yala ngamu-ngku kararr kulba-l, wulbuman-angka balka-ny yalmba-nga: kija yalbay, bana yalbay, balar jilba-l kala-kalbay wangkar jukar-burr, ngajal jilba-l kala-kalbay bada, bama nyulu kija binal nyulu binal wanja mayi jalun-muny jana-y wujurr-ba | moon-ERG tide pulls like mother-ERG blanket pulls, old.woman said seashore-LOC: moon big, water big, high.tide walks far up sand-PERL, low.tide walks far down, person he moon knows he knows where food sea-of stands night-LOC

kija MOON correct sense (callback to legit 1556 kija-bu yira kulba-l); balar/ngajal/yalmba FIRST USES


Clouds are the tracks of the sky, the old man taught the boys on the high stone: the high thin ones say the wind is changing, the black ones standing over the sea say run to the stone shelter, and the small round morning ones say nothing at all, they are only the sky laughing.

Ngurrban nyulu jina jirimuny, mukulungku dingkarangka buban-buban milbin kuljinga wangkarba: ngurrban wangkar bala balkal muyar yindu-mal, ngurrban ngumbu jalunba janay balkal warrinka kulji-bayanka, ngurrban buban murru muduwajumuny balkal yamba-kari, jana nganga jiri yajarr-manya.

ngurrban nyulu jina jiri-muny, mukul-ungku dingkar-angka buban-buban milbi-ny kulji-nga wangkar-ba: ngurrban wangkar bala balka-l muyar yindu-ma-l, ngurrban ngumbu jalun-ba jana-y balka-l warri-nka kulji-bayan-ka, ngurrban buban murru muduwaju-muny balka-l yamba-kari, jana nganga jiri yajarr-ma-nya | cloud it track sky-of, old man boys taught stone-LOC high-LOC: cloud high thin says wind changes(INCHO), cloud black sea-LOC stand says run-PURP stone-shelter-DAT, cloud small round morning-of says nothing, they only sky laugh-SUB

cloud-reading; bala thin; ngumbu black; jalun-ba n-final LOC


Every wind has a name and a load, the old woman said: the north wind carries the wet on its back, the west wind carries the dry country, the sea wind carries the smell of the low tide, and the cold wind from the high country carries the dew that whitens the morning grass.

Muyar nyubun-nyubun kuku-ji yamba-ji baja, wulbumanangka balkan: muyar kungkarrmuny bana-wungar wundil mukungu, muyar kuwamuny bubu marral wundil, muyar jalunmuny jila wundil ngajalmuny, muyar kiway bubu wangkarmuny bulur wundil, nyulu jikan kambar-bungal muduwajuny.

muyar nyubun-nyubun kuku-ji yamba-ji baja, wulbuman-angka balka-ny: muyar kungkarr-muny bana-wungar wundi-l muku-ngu, muyar kuwa-muny bubu marral wundi-l, muyar jalun-muny jila wundi-l ngajal-muny, muyar kiway bubu wangkar-muny bulur wundi-l, nyulu jikan kambar-bunga-l muduwajuny | wind each name-COMIT load-COMIT too, old.woman said: wind north-from wet.season carries back-LOC, wind west-from country dry carries, wind sea-from smell carries low.tide-of, wind cold country high-from dew carries, it grass white-CAUS at-dawn

four-winds frame (2005 corrected heir); marral dry FIRST USE; jila smell; kuwa west cardinal


A cyclone is not a big wind, the old man said flatly, it is a different creature altogether: the sea comes onto the land, the big trees go down, the wind itself becomes running water, so when the birds go quiet and the sea speaks with a strange word, tie everything, go to the deep channel, and leave the country to fight it out overhead.

Wadjal nyulu kari muyar yalbay, mukulungku dingkarangka balkan dandi, nyulu minya yindu bajaku: jalun kaday bubuku, juku yalbay bada-mal, muyar nyulu-nyulu bana warri-mal, yalada kaki jarruka-jarruka wunbu-mal jalun kuku yindubu balkal, yamba wubulku kaja, dungay bana-baralka dukurrku, bawa bubu kuniway-manka wangkara.

wadjal nyulu kari muyar yalbay, mukul-ungku dingkar-angka balka-ny dandi, nyulu minya yindu bajaku: jalun kada-y bubu-ku, juku yalbay bada-ma-l, muyar nyulu-nyulu bana warri-ma-l, yala-da kaki jarruka-jarruka wunbu-ma-l jalun kuku yindu-bu balka-l, yamba wubul-ku kaja, dunga-y bana-baral-ka dukurr-ku, bawa bubu kuniway-ma-nka wangkar-a | cyclone it NEG wind big, old man said flat, it creature different very: sea comes land-DAT, tree big down-becomes(INCHO), wind itself water running-becomes, so if birds quiet-become sea word strange-INST speaks, thing all tie!, go! channel-DAT deep-DAT, leave! country fight-become-PURP overhead-LOC

wadjal cyclone FIRST USE; PURP on INCHO; storm-safety callback to 050


The rainbow stands after the rain has fallen, one foot at the falls and one foot in the swamp, the old woman showed the children, and the old people say: do not point at it with the finger, greet it with the whole quiet hand, for the rainbow belongs to the big story, and a child's good manners reach all the way into it.

Yiril janay kaba badanmuny, jina nyubun bana-badanga jina nyubun walngkanga, wulbumanangka karrkay-karrkay milbin, bama mukulungku balkal: kari nyulu milbi birribu, yulmbarrika nyulu marabu wubulkubu wunbubu, yiril nyulu kuku-jangkar yalbaymuny, karrkay murni yukil nyulu kaday dukurrku yinyaka.

yiril jana-y kaba bada-ny-muny, jina nyubun bana-bada-nga jina nyubun walngka-nga, wulbuman-angka karrkay-karrkay milbi-ny, bama mukul-ungku balka-l: kari nyulu milbi birri-bu, yulmbarri-ka nyulu mara-bu wubul-ku-bu wunbu-bu, yiril nyulu kuku-jangkar yalbay-muny, karrkay murni yukil nyulu kada-y dukurr-ku yinya-ka | rainbow stands rain fallen-after, foot one falls-LOC foot one swamp-LOC, old.woman children showed, people old-ERG say: NEG it point! finger-INST, greet! it hand-INST whole-INST quiet-INST, rainbow it story big-of, child manner good it goes deep-DAT that-DAT

yiril rainbow + walngka swamp FIRST USES; prohibitive + IMP -ka


The morning star is the traveller's friend, the old man said as they carried the bags in the dark: when it stands alone above the high ground, the dawn follows close behind it, so the person who leaves beneath the morning star walks the cool road, and reaches the far camp before the sun grows teeth.

Kurrubijal nyulu jawun jilba-bamamuny, mukulungku dingkarangka balkan, jana balji wundinya wujurrba: kaki nyulu janay nyubun bubu wangkara, muduwaju nyulu ngundu wukurril, yalada bama nyulu dungay kurrubijal badabada nyulu jilbal baral kiway-kiway, nyulu kaday bayanka kala-kalbayba wungar dirra-ji-manyjiku.

kurrubijal nyulu jawun jilba-bama-muny, mukul-ungku dingkar-angka balka-ny, jana balji wundi-nya wujurr-ba: kaki nyulu jana-y nyubun bubu wangkar-a, muduwaju nyulu ngundu wukurri-l, yala-da bama nyulu dunga-y kurrubijal badabada nyulu jilba-l baral kiway-kiway, nyulu kada-y bayan-ka kala-kalbay-ba wungar dirra-ji-ma-nyjiku | morning.star it friend traveller-of, old man said, they bag carry-SUB dark-LOC: if it stands alone ground high-LOC, dawn it close.by follows, so person he goes morning.star underneath he walks road cool, he arrives camp-DAT far-LOC sun tooth-COMIT-become-SUCC

kurrubijal morning star FIRST USE; SUCC on COMIT+INCHO chain; kiway-kiway attributive


The sun climbs out of the sea, walks along the sky road, and falls behind the western ranges, the old woman traced it for the little ones with her arm: the sunrise belongs to the fishers, the high sun to the shade, the sunset to the cooking fires, and every person can learn the time by looking at the length of their own shadow.

Wungar dakal jalunmuny, jilbal jiri-baralburr, daray manjal kuwamuny badabada, wulbumanangka yinya milbin karrkay-bubanka wakuybu: wungar-dakal nyulu kuyu-bamamuny, wungar wangkar wabarrmuny, wungar-daray baya-wajumuny, bama nyubun-nyubun wungar binal-mal nyajinya wabarr nyungu-nyungu kalbay.

wungar daka-l jalun-muny, jilba-l jiri-baral-burr, daray manjal kuwa-muny badabada, wulbuman-angka yinya milbi-ny karrkay-buban-ka wakuy-bu: wungar-daka-l nyulu kuyu-bama-muny, wungar wangkar wabarr-muny, wungar-daray baya-waju-muny, bama nyubun-nyubun wungar binal-ma-l nyaji-nya wabarr nyungu-nyungu kalbay | sun climbs sea-from, walks sky-road-PERL, falls range west-from behind, old.woman that traced little.ones-DAT arm-INST: sunrise it fisher-of, sun high shade-of, sunset cooking.fire-of, person each time learns(INCHO) see-SUB shadow own long

wungar dakal/daray sunrise/sunset attested collocations; wabarr as shadow


The moon is also the counter of months, the old man taught the young men before the journey: tell your mother, if this thin moon grows full and then grows thin again, I am coming back, for the moon is a word-stick that all the people in every camp can read on the same night.

Kija nyulu wungar-milbil baja, mukulungku dingkarangka warru-warru milbin dunganka ngadiku: balka ngamunda: kaki kija bala yalbay-mal yalada bala-mal baja, ngayu kaday, kija nyulu kuku-juku, bama wubulku bayanba nyubun-nyubunba nyulu nyajil wujurr nyubunba.

kija nyulu wungar-milbil baja, mukul-ungku dingkar-angka warru-warru milbi-ny dunga-nka ngadiku: balka ngamu-nda: kaki kija bala yalbay-ma-l yala-da bala-ma-l baja, ngayu kada-y, kija nyulu kuku-juku, bama wubul-ku bayan-ba nyubun-nyubun-ba nyulu nyaji-l wujurr nyubun-ba | moon it month-counter too, old man young.men taught go-PURP before: tell! mother-LOC: if moon thin big-becomes(INCHO) then thin-becomes again, I come.back, moon it word-stick, person all camp-LOC every-LOC it reads night one-LOC

kija 'month' sense (grammar 2509 'moon, month'); moon-phase INCHO chain; recipient LOC ngamu-nda


Read the tide before you promise fish, the old woman taught the boastful young man: at low tide the reef gives mussels and the crab holes stand open, at high tide the net does the working, and between the two stands the strongest hour, when the water turns and every swimming creature moves, so promise fish after you have looked at the water, not before.

Yira nyaji kuyu balkanka ngadiku, wulbumanangka warru kuku-yalbaynka milbin: ngajalba kulji dayal mukirr, kiju bayan janay ngalkal, balara makarrbu murni murnil, jambulba janay wungar junkurr bajaku, bana murninya minya maraji-bama wubulku dungay, yalada balka kuyu bana nyajinmuny badaku, kari ngadiku.

yira nyaji kuyu balka-nka ngadiku, wulbuman-angka warru kuku-yalbay-nka milbi-ny: ngajal-ba kulji daya-l mukirr, kiju bayan jana-y ngalkal, balar-a makarr-bu murni murni-l, jambul-ba jana-y wungar junkurr bajaku, bana murni-nya minya maraji-bama wubul-ku dunga-y, yala-da balka kuyu bana nyaji-ny-muny badaku, kari ngadiku | tide read! fish promise-PURP before, old.woman young.man boastful-DAT taught: low.tide-LOC reef gives mussel, crab camp stands open, high.tide-LOC net-ERG work works, two-LOC stands hour strong most, water turn-SUB creature swimming all moves, so promise! fish water seen-after at-last, NEG before

tide-reading; mukirr mussel 20222; ngajal-ba/balar-ba l/r-final LOC -ba


The waves are the sea's breath, the old woman said to the frightened child: small breath, small wave, storm breath, big wave, and like all breathing it never stops, so do not pick a fight with the wave, go under the white one, follow the smooth one, and keep one eye on the big third one, for the sea takes its breath in threes.

Mulngku nyulu wawu jalunmuny, wulbumanangka karrkaynka yinil-jinka balkan: wawu buban, mulngku buban, wawu jarramalimuny, mulngku yalbay, yala wawu wubulku nyulu kariku janay, yalada kari kuniway-maka mulngkuka, dungay badabada mulngku kambarmuny, wukurrika mulngku kima, miyil nyubun karrba mulngku kulurka yalbayka, jalun nyulu wawu manil kulurbu.

mulngku nyulu wawu jalun-muny, wulbuman-angka karrkay-nka yinil-ji-nka balka-ny: wawu buban, mulngku buban, wawu jarramali-muny, mulngku yalbay, yala wawu wubul-ku nyulu kariku jana-y, yala-da kari kuniway-ma-ka mulngku-ka, dunga-y badabada mulngku kambar-muny, wukurri-ka mulngku kima, miyil nyubun karrba mulngku kulur-ka yalbay-ka, jalun nyulu wawu mani-l kulur-bu | wave it breath sea-of, old.woman child-DAT fear-COMIT-DAT said: breath small, wave small, breath storm-of, wave big, like breath all it never stops, so NEG fight-become! wave-DAT, go! underneath wave white-from, follow!-IMP wave smooth, eye one hold! wave third-DAT big-DAT, sea it breath takes three-INST

mulngku wave FIRST USE; prohibitive kari + INCHO IMP -maka; IMP -ka wukurri-ka; kulur threes


The cold is a quiet hunter, the old man said in the dark of the cold season: it never shouts like the storm, it comes in on soft feet while you sleep, and it takes the old and the small first, so cover the coals with sand, give the blanket to the other person, put the children between the grown sleepers, for warmth given away comes back doubled before dawn.

Kiway nyulu balbi-bama wunbu, mukulungku dingkarangka balkan bulur-iji wujurrba: nyulu kariku yirrkay yala jarramali, nyulu kaday jina kimabu yundu wunanya, nyulu manil mukul buban ngadiku, yalada ngunjil jukarbu nanda, kararr daya bamanka yindunka, karrkay-buban bunga bama-yalbay wunanya jambulba, wumbul dayanmuny nyulu kaday baja jambul-mal muduwaju ngadiku.

kiway nyulu balbi-bama wunbu, mukul-ungku dingkar-angka balka-ny bulur-iji wujurr-ba: nyulu kariku yirrka-y yala jarramali, nyulu kada-y jina kima-bu yundu wuna-nya, nyulu mani-l mukul buban ngadiku, yala-da ngunjil jukar-bu nanda, kararr daya bama-nka yindu-nka, karrkay-buban bunga bama-yalbay wuna-nya jambul-ba, wumbul daya-ny-muny nyulu kada-y baja jambul-ma-l muduwaju ngadiku | cold it hunter quiet, old man said cold.season dark-LOC: it never shouts like storm, it comes foot soft-INST you sleep-SUB, it takes old small first, so coals sand-INST cover!, blanket give! person-DAT other-DAT, children put! grown.sleeper sleep-SUB two-LOC, warmth given-of it comes back double-becomes(INCHO) dawn before

kiway nominal as agent ([A 443] frame); 050.27 coal-covering callback; sharing law


Heat is a heavy thing that cannot be seen, the old woman said, making wind over the baby with a leaf: it sits on the chest of the old people, the dogs dig cool beds under the shade, and it turns the waterbag into the best-loved relative, so in the hot season call nobody lazy — the heavy thing they are carrying just does not show.

Wumbul nyulu yamba dandi nyajil-kari, wulbumanangka balkan, ngawa birrabu muyar-bunganya: nyulu bundal damungu bama mukulmuny, kayangka bubu bakal wabarr badabada, nyulu bana-balji jawun yukil bajaku murnil, yalada wangariji kari bama kunja junkurr-kari, yamba dandi jana wundilmuny nyulu nganga nyajil-kari.

wumbul nyulu yamba dandi nyaji-l-kari, wulbuman-angka balka-ny, ngawa birra-bu muyar-bunga-nya: nyulu bunda-l damu-ngu bama mukul-muny, kaya-ngka bubu baka-l wabarr badabada, nyulu bana-balji jawun yukil bajaku murni-l, yala-da wangariji kari bama kunja junkurr-kari, yamba dandi jana wundi-l-muny nyulu nganga nyaji-l-kari | heat it thing heavy see-less, old.woman said, baby leaf-INST wind-CAUS-SUB: it sits chest-LOC person old-of, dog-ERG ground digs shade underneath, it waterbag relative good most makes, so hot.season NEG person call! lazy, thing heavy they carry-of it just visible-less

muyar-bunga 'fan' transparent CAUS; wabarr; prohibitive kari kunja


In the long dry the country pulls its own water down into hidden camps, the old man taught: the creek goes under its own sand and keeps walking there, the frog shuts itself in a clay shelter, the tree drops many leaves and keeps the few, so the dry is not death, it is the country holding its breath, and the first rain is the long breathing-out.

Marral kalbayba bubu-bu bana nyungu-nyungu bada kulbal bayanka ngakijinka, mukulungku dingkarangka milbin: wawubaja dungay badabada jukar nyungu-nyungumuny, nyulu jilbal yinyanga yabarrka, yuday nandaji kambar-bayanba, jukubu birra wubul bawal, buban karrbal, yalada marral nyulu kari wula, nyulu bubu wawu karrbanya, kaba ngadiku nyulu wawu-dayal kalbay.

marral kalbay-ba bubu-bu bana nyungu-nyungu bada kulba-l bayan-ka ngakiji-ny-ka, mukul-ungku dingkar-angka milbi-ny: wawubaja dunga-y badabada jukar nyungu-nyungu-muny, nyulu jilba-l yinya-nga yabarrka, yuday nanda-ji-y kambar-bayan-ba, juku-bu birra wubul bawa-l, buban karrba-l, yala-da marral nyulu kari wula, nyulu bubu wawu karrba-nya, kaba ngadiku nyulu wawu-daya-l kalbay | dry long-LOC country-ERG water own down pulls camp-DAT hidden-DAT, old man taught: creek goes underneath sand own-from, it walks there-LOC still, frog closes(ITR) clay-shelter-LOC, tree-ERG leaf many drops, few keeps, so dry it NEG death, it country breath hold-SUB, rain first it breath-giving long

marral dry; kulba-l pull; yuday frog aestivation; country-holding-breath frame