In the hot season the ripe wild plums fall thick under the tree, and the children gather them fast into their small dilly-bags.

Wungar-iji junda kulbul dara wubul juku bada-bada, karrkay-karrkay bila bangka ngunyin buban-ka.

wungar-iji junda kulbul dara wubul juku bada-bada, karrkay-karrkay bila bangka ngunyin buban-ka | hot.season wild.plum ripe fall many tree below, child-REDUP fast gather dilly.bag small-DAT

wungar junda kulbul dara wubul juku karrkay bila bangka ngunyin

⭐junda 'wild plum'; bangka-l 'gather' (ex.162, NOT carry); dara-y fall (b110); bila fast (b112); ngunyin dilly-bag


The old woman said the fig tree feeds everyone: the people, the birds, the flying-fox, and the fish in the river below.

Mukul-jalbu balkan: dukal juku mayi dajil wubulku-nka — bama, buyi, jimbaru, kuyu wawubaja bada-ba.

mukul-jalbu balka-ny: dukal juku mayi daji-l wubul-ku-nka — bama, buyi, jimbaru, kuyu wawubaja bada-ba | old-woman said: fig tree food give all-DAT — person, bird, flying.fox, fish river below-LOC

mukul jalbu dukal juku mayi dajil bama buyi kuyu wawubaja

dukal 'fig'; juku tree; mayi food; buyi bird; kuyu fish; wawubaja river


The five-corner nut is sweet when it is yellow, the old man said, but green it is hard and bitter, so wait for the wet season.

Bijalabay jiba-wulay nyulu kulbul-ba, mukul-dingkar balkan, yamba nganjil-ba junkurr ngunyanji, bunda kaba wungar-iji-nka.

bijalabay jiba-wulay nyulu kulbul-ba, mukul-dingkar balka-ny, yamba nganjil-ba junkurr ngunyanji, bunda kaba wungar-iji-nka | five.corner.nut sweet 3sg ripe-LOC, old-man said, but green-LOC hard bitter, wait rain hot.season-DAT

bijalabay jiba-wulay kulbul mukul dingkar junkurr bundal kaba wungar

bijalabay 'five-corner nut'; kulbul ripe/yellow; ngunyanji bitter; bunda-l wait; wungar-iji hot season (b111)


The women crack the candlenut on a flat stone, the old man said, and the oily white meat inside burns like a small lamp at night.

Jalbu-jalbu-ngku bilar kulji balbal-ba dumbarri, mukul-dingkar balkan, nyungu julbi balbal wandul waju yala baya buban wujurr-ba.

jalbu-jalbu-ngku bilar kulji balbal-ba dumbarri, mukul-dingkar balka-ny, nyungu julbi balbal wandul waju yala baya buban wujurr-ba | woman-REDUP-ERG:pt candlenut stone flat-LOC break, old-man said, its inside white fat burn COMP(like) fire small night-LOC

jalbu bilar kulji dumbarril mukul julbi balbal wandul wajul yala

bilar 'candlenut'; dumbarri-l break/crack; julbi inside/guts (b109); wandul fat/oily; yala baya 'like a fire' (b112)


The pineapple-plant grows low and sharp-leaved in the open scrub, the old woman said, and its fruit is sweet but hard to reach past the spines.

Banabul bubu bada-ba wuna birra jarran-jirr madja-ba, mukul-jalbu balkan, nyungu mayi jiba-wulay yamba mani buyun jarran-muny.

banabul bubu bada-ba wuna birra jarran-jirr madja-ba, mukul-jalbu balka-ny, nyungu mayi jiba-wulay yamba mani buyun jarran-muny | pineapple ground low-LOC lie leaf spike-COMIT scrub-LOC, old-woman said, its fruit sweet but get hard spike-ABL

banabul bubu birra madja mukul jalbu mayi jiba-wulay manil

banabul 'pineapple'; birra leaf; madja scrub; jarran 'spike/spine'; mani-l get; jiba-wulay sweet


The old man said the apple-tree by the creek is old, older than any person, and it has fed the people here for longer than the stories tell.

Mukul-dingkar balkan: bulngkar juku bana ngundu wulman, wulman bajaku bama narmba-muny, nyulu bama-nka mayi dajin marri kuku-muny.

mukul-dingkar balka-ny: bulngkar juku bana ngundu wulman, wulman bajaku bama narmba-muny, nyulu bama-nka mayi daji-ny marri kuku-muny | old-man said: apple tree water near old, old very person all-ABL, 3sg person-DAT food gave long.time word(story)-ABL

mukul dingkar bulngkar juku bana wulman bama mayi dajil marri

bulngkar 'apple'; juku tree; wulman old; degree by juxtaposition 'old, very old' (b112); marri long time (b111)


Gather only the ripe fruit that falls, the old woman told the children, and leave the green fruit on the branch for the days to come.

Mayi kulbul dara-nya bangka nyubun-bu, mukul-jalbu-ngku karrkay-karrkay balkan, mayi nganjil dakil-ba wuna wungar kada-nya-nka.

mayi kulbul dara-nya bangka nyubun-bu, mukul-jalbu-ngku karrkay-karrkay balka-ny, mayi nganjil dakil-ba wuna wungar kada-nya-nka | food ripe fall-SUB gather one-INST(only), old-woman-ERG:pt child-REDUP told, food green branch-LOC leave day come-SUB-DAT

mayi kulbul dara bangka mukul jalbu karrkay nganjil dakil

bangka-l gather (ex.162); kulbul ripe; nganjil green/unripe; dakil branch; gathering etiquette


The breadfruit is big and heavy and green, the old man said, and you must roast it long in the coals before its hard flesh turns soft and good.

Burrin-burrin yalbay kulngkul nganjil, mukul-dingkar balkan, yundu waju kalbay baya-ba nyungu minya junkurr ngulkurr-ma-nya kariku.

burrin-burrin yalbay kulngkul nganjil, mukul-dingkar balka-ny, yundu waju kalbay baya-ba nyungu minya junkurr ngulkurr-ma-nya kariku | breadfruit big heavy green, old-man said, you cook long fire-LOC its flesh hard good-become-SUB not.yet

burrin-burrin yalbay kulngkul nganjil mukul wajul baya junkurr ngulkurr

burrin-burrin 'breadfruit'; nganjil green; waju-l roast/cook; kulngkul heavy; ngulkurr-ma-nya 'until it becomes good'


The children found a tree heavy with figs and ate until their bellies were round, and carried the rest home to the old people in the camp.

Karrkay-karrkay juku dukal-jirr warmban, nuka jibar murru-murru kariku, mayi kanbal bayan-ka jarra-kulba mukul-bama-nka.

karrkay-karrkay juku dukal-jirr warmba-ny, nuka jibar murru-murru kariku, mayi kanbal bayan-ka jarra-kulba mukul-bama-nka | child-REDUP tree fig-COMIT found, eat belly round until, food some camp-DAT carry old-people-DAT

karrkay juku dukal warmbal nukal jibar mayi jarra-kulba mukul

⭐jarra-kulba-l 'carry/lift' (NOT bangka-l); dukal fig; jibar belly (b109); warmba-l find (b110)


The old woman said the wild fig ripens dark and soft, but the flying-fox eats it in the night, so you must gather early in the morning.

Mukul-jalbu balkan: binanji kulbul ngumbu ngulkurr-ma-l, yamba jimbaru nuka wujurr-ba, yundu bangka wunkuwingku niji-niji.

mukul-jalbu balka-ny: binanji kulbul ngumbu ngulkurr-ma-l, yamba jimbaru nuka wujurr-ba, yundu bangka wunkuwingku niji-niji | old-woman said: fig ripe dark good-become, but flying.fox eat night-LOC, you gather morning early

mukul jalbu binanji kulbul ngumbu jimbaru nukal bangka wunkuwingku

binanji 'fig'; bangka-l gather (ex.162); ngumbu dark (b109); jimbaru flying-fox; wunkuwingku morning (b111)


They gathered the small sweet berries all afternoon, the old man said, staining their hands and mouths red, and no one went home hungry.

Jana mayi buban jiba-wulay mujal wungar bada dunga-nya, mukul-dingkar balkan, mara ngandal-jirr kulbul-ma-n, bama nyubun kari bayan-ka dakwuy.

jana mayi buban jiba-wulay mujal wungar bada dunga-nya, mukul-dingkar balka-ny, mara ngandal-jirr kulbul-ma-ny, bama nyubun kari bayan-ka dakwuy | 3pl food small sweet collect sun down go-SUB(afternoon), old-man said, hand mouth-COMIT red-INCHO-PAST, person one NEG camp-DAT hungry

jana mayi jiba-wulay mujal wungar mara ngandal kulbul dakwuy

mujal 'collect'; jiba-wulay sweet; ngandal mouth (b109); kulbul-ma-ny 'stained red'; dakwuy hungry


The old man said a good gathering-place is a gift from the old people, who planted and dropped the seeds here for those not yet born.

Mukul-dingkar balkan: mayi-bubu ngulkurr mukul-bama-mu dajin, jana diburr yinya-ba wandin bama kada-nya-nka kariku.

mukul-dingkar balka-ny: mayi-bubu ngulkurr mukul-bama-mu daji-ny, jana diburr yinya-ba wandi-ny bama kada-nya-nka kariku | old-man said: food-ground good old-people-POSS gave, 3pl seed there-LOC put-PAST person come-SUB-DAT not.yet(unborn)

mukul dingkar mayi bubu ngulkurr diburr wandil bama kariku

mayi-bubu 'food-ground'; diburr seed; kada-nya-nka kariku 'for those not yet come' (b110 correct kariku); dajil give


The old woman crushed the seeds to a paste on the grinding-stone, mixed in water, and shaped the small cakes to cook slow in the ashes.

Mukul-jalbu-ngku diburr murni kulji-ba, bana kaja, mayi buban bungal waju kubu-ba buban-buban.

mukul-jalbu-ngku diburr murni kulji-ba, bana kaja, mayi buban bunga-l waju kubu-ba buban-buban | old-woman-ERG:pt seed grind stone-LOC, water mix(tie), food small make cook ash-LOC slowly

mukul jalbu diburr murnil kulji bana kajal mayi bungal wajul

diburr seed; murni-l grind (b107); kaja-l mix/tie (b107); kubu 'ash/smoke' (b109); waju-l cook


The old man said each tree has its own use: this one for spears, that one for dilly-bag string, and the big fig for shade and food.

Mukul-dingkar balkan: juku wubulku nyungu yukil — yinya kalka-nka, yinya yinkar-karra-nka, dukal yalbay ngungul mayi-jirr.

mukul-dingkar balka-ny: juku wubul-ku nyungu yukil — yinya kalka-nka, yinya yinkar-karra-nka, dukal yalbay ngungul mayi-jirr | old-man said: tree all its use — this spear-DAT, that dilly.bag-string-DAT, fig big shade food-COMIT

mukul dingkar juku yukil kalka yinkar dukal yalbay ngungul mayi

juku tree; yukil 'use/work' (b?); kalka spear (b107); yinkar dilly-bag (b107); dukal fig; ngungul shade


The black-bean tree drops big seeds in the wet, the old woman said, but they are poison raw and must be sliced, soaked in the river many days, and roasted.

Baway juku diburr yalbay dara kaba-ba, mukul-jalbu balkan, yamba nganjil-ba buyun, yundu baka-baka, bana-ba wuna wungar wubul, waju.

baway juku diburr yalbay dara kaba-ba, mukul-jalbu balka-ny, yamba nganjil-ba buyun, yundu baka-baka, bana-ba wuna wungar wubul, waju | black.bean tree seed big fall rain-LOC, old-woman said, but raw-LOC bad(poison), you cut(dig)-REDUP, water-LOC lie day many, cook

baway juku diburr yalbay dara kaba nganjil bakal bana wajul

baway 'black-bean tree'; diburr seed; nganjil raw/green; poison-food processing; waju-l cook


The tea-tree by the swamp gives good bark, the old man said, soft and wide, for wrapping the baby, for the roof of the humpy, and for carrying fire.

Bijin juku daburr ngundu dumbul ngulkurr dajil, mukul-dingkar balkan, ngulban yalbay, karrkay kaja-nka, ngura-nka, baya jarra-kulba-nka.

bijin juku daburr ngundu dumbul ngulkurr daji-l, mukul-dingkar balka-ny, ngulban yalbay, karrkay kaja-nka, ngura-nka, baya jarra-kulba-nka | tea.tree tree swamp near bark good give, old-man said, soft wide, child wrap-PURP, humpy-PURP, fire carry-PURP

bijin juku daburr bukul ngulkurr ngulban karrkay kajal baya jarra-kulba

bijin 'tea-tree'; bukul 'bark'; daburr swamp; kaja-nka 'to wrap' (b107); jarra-kulba-l carry; ngura humpy


The water-gum grows straight and hard, the old man said, and its wood makes the best spear-shaft, one that flies true and does not break.

Dakumbar juku junkurr nyubun-nyubun, mukul-dingkar balkan, nyungu juku kalka-nka ngulkurr bajaku, wanarri nguymal kari dumbarri.

dakumbar juku junkurr nyubun-nyubun, mukul-dingkar balka-ny, nyungu juku kalka-nka ngulkurr bajaku, wanarri nguymal kari dumbarri | water.gum tree hard straight(one-REDUP), old-man said, its wood spear-DAT good very, fly(run) true NEG break

dakumbar juku junkurr mukul kalka ngulkurr wanarri nguymal dumbarril

dakumbar 'water-gum'; juku tree/wood; kalka spear (b107); wanarri fly/run (b112); dumbarri-l break; nguymal true (b105)


The old woman said the bloodwood weeps a red gum that mends a sore, and its hard wood burns slow and hot all through the cold night.

Mukul-jalbu balkan: babajaka mula kulbul dara, nyulu bambay-badi warmba-bunga, nyungu juku junkurr waju buban-buban wumbul wujurr ngiki-ba.

mukul-jalbu balka-ny: babajaka mula kulbul dara, nyulu bambay-badi warmba-bunga, nyungu juku junkurr waju buban-buban wumbul wujurr ngiki-ba | old-woman said: bloodwood blood(sap) red fall, 3sg sick-sore heal(find-make), its wood hard burn slowly hot night cold-LOC

mukul jalbu babajaka mula kulbul dara juku junkurr wajul wumbul

babajaka 'bloodwood'; mula 'blood/red sap' (b109); waju-l burn; bambay-badi 'sore'; warmba-bunga-l heal (b110)


The old man cut the bark of the fig in one long strip, the child watching, and made a strong dilly-bag string that would not break under a heavy load.

Mukul-dingkarangka dukal dumbul yaba-l nyubun kalbay, karrkay nyaji-nya, karra junkurr bungal yinkar-nka, kari dumbarri mayi kulngkul-muny.

mukul-dingkar-angka dukal dumbul yaba-l nyubun kalbay, karrkay nyaji-nya, karra junkurr bunga-l yinkar-nka, kari dumbarri mayi kulngkul-muny | old-man-ERG:pt fig bark cut one long, child watch-SUB, string strong make dilly.bag-DAT, NEG break food heavy-ABL

mukul dingkar dukal bukul yabal karrkay karra bungal yinkar dumbarril

dukal fig; bukul bark; karra 'string/rope' (b107); yaba-l 'cut'; yinkar dilly-bag; dumbarri-l break


The old man said the oak by the ridge marks water always below, so when you are lost and dry, walk to the oak and dig, and you will drink.

Mukul-dingkar balkan: dalban jamba ngundu bana yingka bada-bada, yundu jila-warri marral-ba, dalban-ka dunga baka, yundu bana nuka.

mukul-dingkar balka-ny: dalban jamba ngundu bana yingka bada-bada, yundu jila-warri marral-ba, dalban-ka dunga baka, yundu bana nuka | old-man said: oak hill near water marks below, you lost dry-LOC, oak-DAT go dig, you water drink(eat)

mukul dingkar dalban jamba bana yundu marral bakal nukal

dalban 'oak'; baka-l dig; bana nuka-l 'drink water'; jamba hill (b93); marral dry


The children climbed high in the Moreton Bay fig, the old woman said, laughing among its great roots and branches that hang down like a second forest.

Karrkay-karrkay baril-baril wangkar daka, mukul-jalbu balkan, yajarri nyungu ngara yalbay dakil-jirr bada-bada wangkar yala juku-juku nyubun-baja.

karrkay-karrkay baril-baril wangkar daka, mukul-jalbu balka-ny, yajarri nyungu ngara yalbay dakil-jirr bada-bada wangkar yala juku-juku nyubun-baja | child-REDUP Moreton.Bay.fig up climb, old-woman said, laugh its root big branch-COMIT below hang COMP(like) tree-REDUP one-again

karrkay baril-baril wangkar dakal mukul yajarril ngara dakil yala juku

baril-baril 'Moreton Bay fig'; ngara root; dakil branch; yajarri laugh (b112); yala 'like a second forest' (b112)


The old man said you can read a tree like a track: a broken branch, a scratched trunk, a fresh leaf-fall — all of it tells who passed and when.

Mukul-dingkar balkan: juku nyaji yala jina — dakil dumbarri-nya, muku baka-nya, birra jirakal dara-nya — wubulku balka wanya dungan, wanjawanja.

mukul-dingkar balka-ny: juku nyaji yala jina — dakil dumbarri-nya, muku baka-nya, birra jirakal dara-nya — wubul-ku balka wanya dunga-ny, wanjawanja | old-man said: tree read COMP(like) track — branch break-SUB, trunk(back) scratch(poke)-SUB, leaf new fall-SUB — all tells who go-PAST, when

mukul dingkar juku yala jina dakil dumbarril birra jirakal wanya

juku yala jina 'read a tree like a track'; baka-nya 'scratched/poked' (poke sense); wanya who (b108); wanjawanja when (b108)


The old woman said the young tree bends in the big wind and does not break, but the old dry tree stands stiff and the wind throws it down.

Mukul-jalbu balkan: juku jirakal muyar yalbay-mba jurrki, kari dumbarri, yamba juku wulman marral janay junkurr, muyar-angka bada dama.

mukul-jalbu balka-ny: juku jirakal muyar yalbay-mba jurrki, kari dumbarri, yamba juku wulman marral janay junkurr, muyar-angka bada dama | old-woman said: tree new wind big-LOC bend(turn), NEG break, but tree old dry stand stiff(hard), wind-ERG:pt down throw

mukul jalbu juku jirakal muyar jurrkil dumbarril wulman janay damal

juku tree; jurrki-l bend/turn (b103); dumbarri-l break; muyar wind (b110); jirakal new / wulman old


The old man named every tree for the boy as they walked — this is bloodwood, this is oak, this is tea-tree — so the country would speak to him always.

Mukul-dingkarangka juku wubulku karrkay-nka burri jilba-nya — yinya babajaka, yinya dalban, yinya bijin — bubu nyungu-nka balka wubulku.

mukul-dingkar-angka juku wubul-ku karrkay-nka burri jilba-nya — yinya babajaka, yinya dalban, yinya bijin — bubu nyungu-nka balka wubul-ku | old-man-ERG:pt tree all child-DAT name walk-SUB — this bloodwood, this oak, this tea.tree — country him-DAT tell always

mukul dingkar juku karrkay burri jilba babajaka dalban bijin bubu

burri 'name' (b109); babajaka bloodwood / dalban oak / bijin tea-tree; jilba-nya 'as they walked' (b103)


The old woman said the scrub is a great larder if you know it: yam below, fruit above, fish in the creek, and the scrub-hen's eggs in the mound.

Mukul-jalbu balkan: madja mayi-bubu yalbay yundu binal-ba — bambayal bada, mayi wangkar, kuyu bana-ba, jarruka-mu karrkay bubu-mabi-ba.

mukul-jalbu balka-ny: madja mayi-bubu yalbay yundu binal-ba — bambayal bada, mayi wangkar, kuyu bana-ba, jarruka-mu karrkay bubu-mabi-ba | old-woman said: scrub food-ground big you know-LOC — yam below, fruit above, fish creek-LOC, scrub.hen-POSS young mound-LOC

mukul jalbu madja mayi bambayal kuyu bana jarruka binal

madja 'scrub'; jarruka 'scrub-hen'; bambayal yam; ngamu 'egg' (b?); binal know (b108)


The old man said follow the flowers to find the food: when the wattle blooms, the fish are fat; when this tree flowers, the yams are ready to dig.

Mukul-dingkar balkan: nganka nyaji mayi warmba-nka — nganka yinya kulbul-ba, kuyu wandul; juku yinya nganka-ba, bambayal baka niji.

mukul-dingkar balka-ny: nganka nyaji mayi warmba-nka — nganka yinya kulbul-ba, kuyu wandul; juku yinya nganka-ba, bambayal baka niji | old-man said: flower watch food find-PURP — flower that bloom(ripe)-LOC, fish fat; tree that flower-LOC, yam dig now

mukul dingkar nganka nyajil mayi warmbal kuyu wandul bambayal bakal

nganka 'flower' (b110) as seasonal sign; bambayal yam; kuyu fish; wandul fat; warmba-nka PURP 'to find'


The old woman said never strip a plant bare: take some, leave some, and it will feed your children's children long after you are gone.

Mukul-jalbu balkan: mayi-juku baluda narmba bangka — kanbal mani, kanbal wuna, nyulu karrkay-mu karrkay dajil marri yundu wula-ny-muny.

mukul-jalbu balka-ny: mayi-juku baluda narmba bangka — kanbal mani, kanbal wuna, nyulu karrkay-mu karrkay daji-l marri yundu wula-ny-muny | old-woman said: food-plant don't all gather — some take, some leave, 3sg child-POSS child feed long.time you die-PAST-ABL

mukul jalbu mayi juku baluda bangka kanbal manil karrkay dajil

baluda 'don't' PROHIBITIVE (b110); bangka-l gather; kanbal some (b112); gathering etiquette; mani-l take


The old man said the leaf tells the season: fresh and green means growing, yellow means ripe and ready, and fallen means the time is nearly gone.

Mukul-dingkar balkan: birra wungar-iji balka — jirakal balbal yalbay-ma-l, kulbul mayi warmba niji, dara-nya wungar wula kariku.

mukul-dingkar balka-ny: birra wungar-iji balka — jirakal balbal yalbay-ma-l, kulbul mayi warmba niji, dara-nya wungar wula kariku | old-man said: leaf season tells — new fresh grow-INCHO, ripe food find now, fall-SUB time die not.yet

mukul dingkar birra wungar jirakal yalbay kulbul mayi dara wulal

birra leaf as season-sign; jirakal new/fresh; kulbul ripe; dara-y fall (b110); wula 'the time is nearly gone'


The women dug and gathered all the long day, the old man said, and came home at dusk with their dilly-bags heavy with yam, fruit, and sweet root.

Jalbu-jalbu baka bangka wungar kalbay wubulku, mukul-dingkar balkan, bayan-ka kaday wujurr-ma-nya ngunyin kulngkul bambayal mayi ngara jiba-wulay-jirr.

jalbu-jalbu baka bangka wungar kalbay wubul-ku, mukul-dingkar balka-ny, bayan-ka kaday wujurr-ma-nya ngunyin kulngkul bambayal mayi ngara jiba-wulay-jirr | woman-REDUP dig gather day long all, old-man said, camp-DAT come dusk dilly.bag heavy yam fruit root sweet-COMIT

jalbu bakal bangka wungar mukul wujurr ngunyin bambayal ngara jiba-wulay

baka dig + bangka gather; ngunyin dilly-bag (b107); wujurr-ma-nya dusk (b111); bambayal yam; ngara root


The old woman said the wet season is the hungry time, when the yams are watery and the fruit not yet ripe, and the people wait and are lean.

Mukul-jalbu balkan: kaba wungar-iji dakwuy-wungar, bambayal bana-jirr, mayi kulbul kariku, bama bunda buban-ma-l.

mukul-jalbu balka-ny: kaba wungar-iji dakwuy-wungar, bambayal bana-jirr, mayi kulbul kariku, bama bunda buban-ma-l | old-woman said: rain hot.season hunger-time, yam water-COMIT, food ripe not.yet, person wait small(lean)-INCHO

mukul jalbu kaba dakwuy bambayal bana mayi kulbul kariku bundal

dakwuy-wungar 'hungry time'; bambayal bana-jirr 'watery yams'; kulbul kariku 'not yet ripe' (b110 correct); bunda-l wait


The old man said each plant has its own time and place, and the wise person does not fight the country but eats what it gives, when it gives it.

Mukul-dingkar balkan: mayi-juku wubulku nyungu wungar bubu-jirr, bama binal kari bubu-nka kuli-ma-l, nyulu nuka mayi bubu dajin-nya.

mukul-dingkar balka-ny: mayi-juku wubul-ku nyungu wungar bubu-jirr, bama binal kari bubu-nka kuli-ma-l, nyulu nuka mayi bubu daji-ny-nya | old-man said: food-plant all its time place-COMIT, person wise NEG country-DAT anger-INCHO, 3sg eat food country give-PAST-SUB

mukul dingkar mayi wungar bubu bama binal kuli nukal dajil

mayi-juku 'food-plant'; binal wise (b108); kuli-ma-l 'get angry' (b35); nuka-l eat; philosophy of the seasonal table


The old woman ground the seed, roasted the cake, dug the sweet root, and split the black-bean, and by dusk the whole camp was fed and warm by the fire.

Mukul-jalbu-ngku diburr murni, mayi waju, ngara jiba-wulay baka, baway dumbarri, wujurr-ma-nya bayan narmba mayi-jirr wumbul baya ngundu.

mukul-jalbu-ngku diburr murni, mayi waju, ngara jiba-wulay baka, baway dumbarri, wujurr-ma-nya bayan narmba mayi-jirr wumbul baya ngundu | old-woman-ERG:pt seed grind, cake cook, root sweet dig, black.bean break, dusk camp all food-COMIT warm fire near

mukul jalbu diburr murnil wajul ngara bakal baway dumbarril baya

⭐four verbs right: murni grind / waju cook / baka DIG / dumbarri BREAK; ngara root; baway black-bean; wujurr-ma-nya dusk


The child asked which fruit is best, and the old man said: the one in your hand now, in its own season, is always better than the one you dream of.

Karrkay-angka babajin wanya mayi ngulkurr bajaku, mukul-dingkar balkan: mayi mara-nga niji, nyungu wungar-a, ngulkurr bajaku mayi yundu jiba-ngundu-mu.

karrkay-angka babaji-ny wanya mayi ngulkurr bajaku, mukul-dingkar balka-ny: mayi mara-nga niji, nyungu wungar-a, ngulkurr bajaku mayi yundu jiba-ngundu-mu | child-ERG:pt asked which fruit good very, old-man said: fruit hand-LOC now, its season-LOC, good very fruit you heart-near(dream)-POSS

karrkay babajil wanya mayi ngulkurr mukul mara niji wungar

babaji-l ask (b108); degree by juxtaposition 'good, very good' = better (b112); mara-nga 'in the hand'; wungar season


The old man said the fire and the plant are old friends: the fire clears the old scrub, and the new green food springs up thick where the fire has passed.

Mukul-dingkar balkan: baya mayi-juku-jirr jawun ngadiku — baya-ngka madja wulman waju, mayi jirakal balbal daka wubul baya dunga-nya.

mukul-dingkar balka-ny: baya mayi-juku-jirr jawun ngadiku — baya-ngka madja wulman waju, mayi jirakal balbal daka wubul baya dunga-nya | old-man said: fire food-plant-COMIT friend of.old — fire-ERG:pt scrub old burn, food new fresh rise many fire go-SUB(where)

mukul dingkar baya mayi jawun madja wulman wajul jirakal dakal

fire-stick farming; jawun friend (b110); madja scrub; waju-l burn; jirakal new; daka-l rise/spring up


The old woman said the sweetest food asks the most work: the black-bean must be soaked many days, the seed ground long, the deep yam dug with a sore back.

Mukul-jalbu balkan: mayi jiba-wulay bajaku yukil wubul wawu — baway bana-ba wuna wungar wubul, diburr murni kalbay, bambayal dajali baka muku bambay-jirr.

mukul-jalbu balka-ny: mayi jiba-wulay bajaku yukil wubul wawu — baway bana-ba wuna wungar wubul, diburr murni kalbay, bambayal dajali baka muku bambay-jirr | old-woman said: food sweet very work much want — black.bean water-LOC lie day many, seed grind long, yam deep dig back sick-COMIT

mukul jalbu mayi jiba-wulay yukil wawu baway diburr bambayal muku

jiba-wulay sweet; yukil work; wawu want (b110); baway black-bean; muku back (b109); bambay sick (b110)


The old man said learn the plants young, for the day will come when the old people are gone and only you can show the children where the food hides.

Mukul-dingkar balkan: mayi-juku binal-ma warru-ba, wungar kaday mukul-bama wulan, yundu nyubun karrkay-karrkay nyaji-mani mayi wanja wawan.

mukul-dingkar balka-ny: mayi-juku binal-ma warru-ba, wungar kaday mukul-bama wula-ny, yundu nyubun karrkay-karrkay nyaji-mani mayi wanja wawan | old-man said: food-plant know-INCHO young-LOC, day come old-people die-PAST, you one child-REDUP show food where hide

mukul dingkar mayi binal warru wungar mukul karrkay nyajil wanja

binal-ma-l 'learn' (INCHO); mayi-juku 'food-plant'; nyaji-mani show (b112); wanja where (b108); warru young


So the old woman named them one by one — yam and fig and plum, candlenut and breadfruit and sweet root — the whole green larder of the living country.

Yala mukul-jalbu-ngku burri nyubun-nyubun — bambayal, dukal, junda-jirr, bilar, burrin-burrin, ngara jiba-wulay-jirr — mayi-bubu narmba bubu murrku-mu.

yala mukul-jalbu-ngku burri nyubun-nyubun — bambayal, dukal, junda-jirr, bilar, burrin-burrin, ngara jiba-wulay-jirr — mayi-bubu narmba bubu murrku-mu | thus old-woman-ERG:pt name one-REDUP — yam, fig, plum-COMIT, candlenut, breadfruit, root sweet-COMIT — food-ground all country living-POSS

yala mukul jalbu burri bambayal dukal junda bilar burrin-burrin ngara

⭐full larder inventory: bambayal/dukal/junda/bilar/burrin-burrin/ngara; burri name (b109); mayi-bubu food-ground


The old man kept coming back to the same waterhole all through the long dry season, hoping the rain would fill it again.

Mukul-dingkar kankaday janku nyubun-ka marral-wungar kalbay wubulku, wawu kaba janku warmba-bunga-y-baja.

mukul-dingkar kada-n-kada-y janku nyubun-ka marral-wungar kalbay wubul-ku, wawu kaba janku warmba-bunga-y-baja | old-man keep-come waterhole one-DAT dry.time long all, want(hope) rain waterhole fill-again

mukul dingkar kankaday janku nyubun marral kalbay wawu kaba

⭐kankaday 'keep coming' (kada-n-kada-y, partial redup l.1244); janku waterhole; -baja 'again'; wawu hope (b110)


The little child cried and cried in the dark night, and the old woman sat close by her and sang until at last she slept.

Karrkay buban banbadi wujurr ngumbu-ba, mukul-jalbu bundan nyungu ngundu, wulngku murrun nyulu warngku wuna kariku.

karrkay buban badi-n-badi-y wujurr ngumbu-ba, mukul-jalbu bunda-ny nyungu ngundu, wulngku murru-ny nyulu warngku wuna kariku | child small keep-cry night black-LOC, old-woman sit-PAST her near, song sang 3sg sleep lie not.yet(until)

karrkay banbadi wujurr ngumbu mukul jalbu bundal wulngku warngku

⭐banbadi 'keep crying' (badi-n-badi-y, partial redup l.1241); warngku sleep; kariku 'until' (b110)


The two old men kept sitting by the fire, talking on and on, and stayed there long after all the others had gone to sleep.

Mukul-dingkar jambul bundanday baya ngundu, balka-balka, jana wuna yinya-ba marri bama narmba warngku wuna-nya-muny.

mukul-dingkar jambul bunda-n-bunda-y baya ngundu, balka-balka, jana wuna yinya-ba marri bama narmba warngku wuna-nya-muny | old-man two keep-sitting fire near, keep-talking, 3pl stay there-LOC long.time person all sleep lie-SUB-ABL

mukul dingkar jambul bundanday baya balkal marri bama warngku

⭐bundanday 'stay/keep sitting' (bunda-n-bunda-y l.1245); balka-balka 'keep talking'; marri long time (b111)


The dog kept running back and forth along the riverbank, barking, for it had smelled something moving in the tall grass.

Kaya wanarri wawubaja wangkar bada-bada, yirrka-yirrka, nyulu junjuy nyaji jikan kalbay-mba jilba-nya.

kaya wanarri wawubaja wangkar bada-bada, yirrka-yirrka, nyulu junjuy nyaji jikan kalbay-mba jilba-nya | dog keep-running river up down, keep-barking, 3sg something smell(see) grass tall-LOC move-SUB

kaya wanarri wawubaja yirrkal junjuy nyajil jikan kalbay jilba

⭐wanarri 'keep running' (warri-n-warri-y l.1246); yirrka-yirrka 'keep barking'; junjuy something (b108)


The old woman kept lying awake the whole night, listening, because the wind kept moving in the trees like a person walking.

Mukul-jalbu wunanay wujurr wubulku, milka-janay, muyar jurrki-jurrki juku-ba yala bama jilba-nya.

mukul-jalbu wuna-n-wuna-y wujurr wubul-ku, milka-janay, muyar jurrki-jurrki juku-ba yala bama jilba-nya | old-woman keep-lying night all, ear-stand(listen), wind keep-turning tree-LOC COMP(like) person walk-SUB

mukul jalbu wunanay wujurr milka-janay muyar jurrkil juku yala jilba

⭐wunanay 'keep lying awake' (wuna-n-wuna-y l.1246); jurrki-jurrki 'keep moving'; milka-janay listen (b109); yala 'like' (b112)


The young man kept standing at the edge of the camp, watching the track, for his brother had said he would come back today.

Warru janjanay bayan wangkar-a, jina nyaji-nyaji, nyungu yaba balkan nyulu kaday-baja niji.

warru janjanay bayan wangkar-a, jina nyaji-nyaji, nyungu yaba balka-ny nyulu kada-y-baja niji | young.man keep-standing camp edge-LOC, track keep-watching, his eB said 3sg come-again now(today)

warru janjanay bayan wangkar jina nyajil yaba balkal kaday

⭐janjanay 'keep standing' (jana-n-jana-y l.1243); nyaji-nyaji 'keep watching'; jina track (b112); kaday-baja 'come again'


The children kept coming and coming to the old man for stories, and he told them one after another until the fire burned low.

Karrkay-karrkay kankaday mukul-dingkar-nka kuku-nka, nyulu balka nyubun-nyubun-baja baya bada waju kariku.

karrkay-karrkay kada-n-kada-y mukul-dingkar-nka kuku-nka, nyulu balka nyubun-nyubun-baja baya bada waju kariku | child-REDUP keep-coming old-man-DAT story-DAT, 3sg tell one-REDUP-again fire low burn not.yet(until)

karrkay kankaday mukul dingkar kuku balkal nyubun baya wajul

kankaday 'keep coming'; nyubun-nyubun-baja 'one after another again'; kuku story; waju-l burn


The old woman kept crying quietly for her husband many days, and the people let her cry, for grief must run its course like water.

Mukul-jalbu banbadi janka wawubaja-nka wungar wubul, bama nyulu badi wuna, jiba-badi wanarri yala bana.

mukul-jalbu badi-n-badi-y janka wawubaja-nka wungar wubul, bama nyulu badi wuna, jiba-badi wanarri yala bana | old-woman keep-crying quietly husband-DAT day many, person 3sg cry let, grief run COMP(like) water

mukul jalbu banbadi janka wungar bama badil jiba-badi wanarri yala

banbadi 'keep crying'; jiba-badi grief (b109); jiba-badi wanarri yala bana 'grief runs like water'; janka quietly


The old man stayed and stayed at the sea camp long into the cold season, for the fish were fat and the country was kind.

Mukul-dingkar bundanday jalun bayan-ba marri bulur-iji-ka, kuyu wandul, bubu ngulkurr.

mukul-dingkar bunda-n-bunda-y jalun bayan-ba marri bulur-iji-ka, kuyu wandul, bubu ngulkurr | old-man keep-staying sea camp-LOC long.time cold.season-DAT, fish fat, country good

mukul dingkar bundanday jalun bayan marri bulur kuyu wandul ngulkurr

bundanday 'stay/keep staying'; jalun sea (b102); bulur-iji cold season (b111); kuyu fish; wandul fat (b109)


The old woman kept lying sick in the humpy many days, and her daughter kept coming with water and soft food and cool leaves.

Mukul-jalbu wunanay bambay ngura-ba wungar wubul, nyungu jalbu-karrkay kankaday bana-jirr mayi kima-jirr birra ngiki-jirr.

mukul-jalbu wuna-n-wuna-y bambay ngura-ba wungar wubul, nyungu jalbu-karrkay kada-n-kada-y bana-jirr mayi kima-jirr birra ngiki-jirr | old-woman keep-lying sick humpy-LOC day many, her daughter keep-coming water-COMIT food soft-COMIT leaf cool-COMIT

mukul jalbu wunanay bambay ngura kankaday bana mayi kima birra

wunanay 'keep lying (sick)' + kankaday 'keep coming'; bambay sick (b110); kima soft; birra leaf (b113)


The proud young man kept standing tall at the meeting and speaking too long, and the old people kept looking at the ground and saying nothing.

Warru yalbay-baka janjanay muru-ba, balka kalbay bajaku, mukul-bama nyaji-nyaji bubu bada-bada, yamba-kari balka.

warru yalbay-baka janjanay muru-ba, balka kalbay bajaku, mukul-bama nyaji-nyaji bubu bada-bada, yamba-kari balka | young.man proud keep-standing meeting-LOC, talk long very, old-people keep-looking ground down, nothing say

warru janjanay muru balkal kalbay bajaku mukul nyajil yamba-kari

janjanay 'keep standing' + nyaji-nyaji 'keep looking'; yalbay-baka 'proud'; muru meeting (b111); yamba-kari nothing (b110)


The floodwater kept rising and rising all through the night, and the people kept carrying their things up the hill until the dawn.

Bana kaba-mu daka-daka wujurr wubulku, bama jana mayngal jarra-kulba-jarra-kulba jamba wangkar-ka wunkuwingku kariku.

bana kaba-mu daka-daka wujurr wubul-ku, bama jana mayngal jarra-kulba-jarra-kulba jamba wangkar-ka wunkuwingku kariku | water rain-POSS keep-rising night all, person 3pl thing keep-carrying hill up-DAT morning not.yet(until)

bana kaba dakal wujurr bama jarra-kulba jamba wangkar wunkuwingku

daka-daka 'keep rising' + jarra-kulba-jarra-kulba 'keep carrying'; jarra-kulba-l carry (b113); jamba hill (b93)


The old man kept walking and walking through the ranges for two days without water, following the tracks of the grey kangaroo.

Mukul-dingkar jilba-jilba jamba-burr wungar jambul bana-kari, julmbanu-mu jina nyaji-nyaji dunga.

mukul-dingkar jilba-jilba jamba-burr wungar jambul bana-kari, julmbanu-mu jina nyaji-nyaji dunga | old-man keep-walking range-PERL day two water-PRIV, grey.kangaroo-POSS track keep-watching go

mukul dingkar jilba jamba wungar jambul bana julmbanu jina nyajil

jilba-jilba 'keep walking' + nyaji-nyaji 'keep tracking'; bana-kari 'waterless' (PRIV b110); julmbanu grey kangaroo (b105); jina track


The old woman kept grinding and grinding the hard seed on the flat stone until it was a fine white paste for the little cakes.

Mukul-jalbu-ngku diburr junkurr murni-murni kulji balbal-ba, nyulu kima-ma-nya balbal mayi buban-ka kariku.

mukul-jalbu-ngku diburr junkurr murni-murni kulji balbal-ba, nyulu kima-ma-nya balbal mayi buban-ka kariku | old-woman-ERG:pt seed hard keep-grinding stone flat-LOC, 3sg soft-become-SUB white food small-DAT not.yet(until)

mukul jalbu diburr junkurr murnil kulji balbal kima mayi

murni-murni 'keep grinding' (general redup, b113 murni-l); kima-ma-nya 'until it becomes soft'; kulji stone (b107)


The children kept eating and eating the sweet ripe figs under the big tree until their bellies were round and they could eat no more.

Karrkay-karrkay mayi kulbul jiba-wulay nukalkal juku yalbay bada-bada, jibar murru-murru-ma-n, nuka kari-baja.

karrkay-karrkay mayi kulbul jiba-wulay nuka-l-nuka-l juku yalbay bada-bada, jibar murru-murru-ma-ny, nuka kari-baja | child-REDUP food ripe sweet keep-eating tree big below, belly round-INCHO-PAST, eat NEG-again

karrkay mayi kulbul jiba-wulay nukalkal juku jibar murru nukal

⭐nukalkal / nuka-l-nuka-l 'keep eating' (l.971); jibar belly (b109); nuka kari-baja 'eat no more'


The little child kept peeping into the dilly-bag to see the honeycomb, and the old woman kept slapping the small hand away, laughing.

Karrkay buban nuril-nuril ngunyin-ba, ngamurr nyaji-nka, mukul-jalbu mara buban dama-dama kanga, yajarri.

karrkay buban nuril-nuril ngunyin-ba, ngamurr nyaji-nka, mukul-jalbu mara buban dama-dama kanga, yajarri | child small keep-peeping dilly.bag-LOC, honey see-PURP, old-woman hand small keep-slapping away, laugh

karrkay nuril ngunyin ngamurr nyajil mukul mara damal kangal yajarril

⭐nuril-nuril 'keep peeping' (l.945); nuril peep; dama-dama 'keep slapping'; ngunyin dilly-bag (b107); ngamurr honey


The old man kept making the spear-points hard in the fire, one after another, turning each in the coals until it would not bend or break.

Mukul-dingkarangka biyul dandi-bal-bal baya-ba, nyubun-nyubun-baja, nyubun jurrki kubu-ba kari jurrki kari dumbarri kariku.

mukul-dingkar-angka biyul dandi-bal-bal baya-ba, nyubun-nyubun-baja, nyubun jurrki kubu-ba kari jurrki kari dumbarri kariku | old-man-ERG:pt point keep-hardening fire-LOC, one-REDUP-again, one turn coal-LOC NEG bend NEG break not.yet(until)

mukul dingkar biyul dandi baya nyubun jurrkil kubu dumbarril

⭐dandi-bal-bal 'keep making hard' (CAUS -bal reduced+redup, l.1236); dandi hard; biyul point (b107); dumbarri-l break (b113)


The women kept digging and digging in the soft ground by the swamp, and their dilly-bags filled slowly with the long white roots.

Jalbu-jalbu baka-baka bubu daburr ngundu, nyungu ngunyin warmba buban-buban ngara kalbay balbal-jirr.

jalbu-jalbu baka-baka bubu daburr ngundu, nyungu ngunyin warmba buban-buban ngara kalbay balbal-jirr | woman-REDUP keep-digging ground swamp near, their dilly.bag fill slowly root long white-COMIT

jalbu bakal bubu daburr ngunyin warmbal ngara kalbay balbal

baka-baka 'keep digging' (b113 baka-l dig); daburr swamp; ngara root (b113); warmba 'fill'


The old woman kept stirring the paste in the bark dish, mixing in water little by little, until it was smooth and ready to cook.

Mukul-jalbu-ngku mayi murni-murni dumbul-ba, bana kaja buban-buban, nyulu ngulkurr waju-nka kariku.

mukul-jalbu-ngku mayi murni-murni dumbul-ba, bana kaja buban-buban, nyulu ngulkurr waju-nka kariku | old-woman-ERG:pt food keep-stirring bark-LOC, water mix slowly, 3sg good cook-PURP not.yet(until)

mukul jalbu mayi murnil bukul bana kajal ngulkurr wajul

murni-murni 'keep stirring' (murni-l stir b113); bukul bark (b113); kaja-l mix (b107); waju-nka PURP 'to cook'


The old man kept turning and turning the fire-stick between his palms until the smoke came, and then the first small flame.

Mukul-dingkarangka jidi murni-murni mara jambul-ba, kubu kaday kariku, yinyamun baya buban nyubun.

mukul-dingkar-angka jidi murni-murni mara jambul-ba, kubu kaday kariku, yinyamun baya buban nyubun | old-man-ERG:pt fire.stick keep-twirling hand two-LOC, smoke come not.yet(until), then fire small one

mukul dingkar jidi murnil mara jambul kubu kaday yinyamun baya

murni-murni 'keep twirling' (murni-l twist/stir); jidi fire-stick (b?); kubu smoke (b109); yinyamun then (b111)


The two boys kept splashing and swimming in the cool waterhole all the hot afternoon, and would not come out until the old man called.

Karrkay jambul janji-janji janku ngiki-ba wungar wumbul bada dunga-nya wubulku, ngalkal kari kaday mukul-dingkar yirrka kariku.

karrkay jambul janji-janji janku ngiki-ba wungar wumbul bada dunga-nya wubul-ku, ngalkal kari kaday mukul-dingkar yirrka kariku | child two keep-bathing waterhole cool-LOC sun hot down go-SUB(afternoon) all, out NEG come old-man call not.yet(until)

karrkay jambul janji janku ngiki wungar wumbul ngalkal yirrkal

janji-janji 'keep swimming/bathing' (janji-l b103); janku waterhole; wungar bada dunga-nya 'afternoon' (b111)


The old woman kept calling and calling the child's name across the dark camp, and her voice kept coming back empty from the black trees.

Mukul-jalbu karrkay-mu burri yirrka-yirrka bayan ngumbu-burr, nyungu kuku kankaday yamba-jirr juku ngumbu-muny.

mukul-jalbu karrkay-mu burri yirrka-yirrka bayan ngumbu-burr, nyungu kuku kada-n-kada-y yamba-jirr juku ngumbu-muny | old-woman child-POSS name keep-calling camp black-PERL, her word(voice) keep-coming empty-COMIT tree black-ABL

mukul jalbu burri yirrkal bayan ngumbu kuku kankaday juku

yirrka-yirrka 'keep calling' + kankaday 'keep coming (back)'; burri name (b109); ngumbu black (b109)


The old man kept telling and telling the same story of the flood, a little differently each time, and the children never grew tired of it.

Mukul-dingkar kuku nyubun kaba-mu balka-balka, buban yindu-yindu wungar nyubun-nyubun-ba, karrkay-karrkay kari jiba-yajin bajaku.

mukul-dingkar kuku nyubun kaba-mu balka-balka, buban yindu-yindu wungar nyubun-nyubun-ba, karrkay-karrkay kari jiba-yajin bajaku | old-man word one flood-POSS keep-telling, little differently time each-LOC, child-REDUP NEG tired at.all

mukul dingkar kuku kaba balkal yindu wungar karrkay jiba

balka-balka 'keep telling'; yindu-yindu 'differently' (b112); jiba-yajin 'tired'; kaba flood/rain (b87)


The old woman kept softening the stiff bark in the water, working it with her hands over and over, until it was soft enough to wrap the baby.

Mukul-jalbu-ngku dumbul dandi kima-bal-bal bana-ba, mara-bu murni-murni, nyulu kima karrkay kaja-nka kariku.

mukul-jalbu-ngku dumbul dandi kima-bal-bal bana-ba, mara-bu murni-murni, nyulu kima karrkay kaja-nka kariku | old-woman-ERG:pt bark stiff keep-softening water-LOC, hand-INST keep-rubbing, 3sg soft child wrap-PURP not.yet(until)

mukul jalbu bukul dandi kima bana mara murnil kajal

⭐kima-bal-bal 'keep making soft' (CAUS -bal redup, l.1236); dandi hard/stiff; kima soft; bukul bark (b113)


The dogs kept barking and barking at the edge of the camp all night, and in the morning the old man found the tracks of a big python.

Kaya-kaya yirrka-yirrka bayan wangkar-a wujurr wubulku, wunkuwingku mukul-dingkarangka kabul yalbay-mu jina warmban.

kaya-kaya yirrka-yirrka bayan wangkar-a wujurr wubul-ku, wunkuwingku mukul-dingkar-angka kabul yalbay-mu jina warmba-ny | dog-REDUP keep-barking camp edge-LOC night all, morning old-man-ERG:pt python big-POSS track found

kaya yirrkal bayan wangkar wujurr wunkuwingku mukul kabul jina warmbal

yirrka-yirrka 'keep barking'; kabul rock python (b113); jina track (b112); warmba-l find (b110)


The old man kept watching the sky and watching the sea all morning, and only when the wind kept turning did he say a big storm was coming.

Mukul-dingkar jiri nyaji-nyaji jalun nyaji-nyaji wunkuwingku wubulku, muyar jurrki-jurrki-ba nyulu balkan jarramali yalbay kaday.

mukul-dingkar jiri nyaji-nyaji jalun nyaji-nyaji wunkuwingku wubul-ku, muyar jurrki-jurrki-ba nyulu balka-ny jarramali yalbay kada-y | old-man sky keep-watching sea keep-watching morning all, wind keep-turning-LOC 3sg said storm big come-NONPAST

mukul dingkar jiri nyajil jalun wunkuwingku muyar jurrkil jarramali

nyaji-nyaji 'keep watching' + jurrki-jurrki 'keep turning'; jiri sky (b111); jarramali thunder/storm (b111)


The old man said do not lose heart: dig the ground again, set the trap again, walk the country again, and at last the food will come.

Mukul-dingkar balkan: jiba baluda wula, bubu baka-baja, jina-jina kaja-baja, bubu jilba-baja, badanga mayi kaday.

mukul-dingkar balka-ny: jiba baluda wula, bubu baka-baja, jina-jina kaja-baja, bubu jilba-baja, bada-nga mayi kada-y | old-man said: heart(liver) don't die, ground dig-again, trap tie-again, country walk-again, end-LOC food come

mukul dingkar jiba baluda bakal jina kajal jilba mayi kaday

⭐-baja 'again' on verbs (baka-baja/jilba-baja); jiba baluda wula 'don't lose heart'; baluda PROHIB (b110)


When the old woman had finished grinding the seed, she began to shape the little cakes, and then she began to build up the cooking fire.

Mukul-jalbu diburr murni kunbayn-nya, nyulu mayi buban bunga yudal, yinyamun baya waju-nka yudal-baja.

mukul-jalbu diburr murni kunbayn-nya, nyulu mayi buban bunga yudal, yinyamun baya waju-nka yudal-baja | old-woman seed grind finish-SUB, 3sg food small make begin, then fire cook-PURP begin-again

mukul jalbu diburr murnil kunbayn mayi bungal yudal baya wajul

⭐kunbayn 'finish' (completive) + yudal 'begin' (inceptive); murni grind (b113); -baja 'again'


The rain stopped for a while and then began again, harder than before, and the old man said the wet season was not yet finished.

Kaba wula buban-buban, yinyamun yudal-baja, kulngkul bajaku kalbay-muny, mukul-dingkar balkan kaba wungar-iji kunbayn kariku.

kaba wula buban-buban, yinyamun yudal-baja, kulngkul bajaku kalbay-muny, mukul-dingkar balka-ny kaba wungar-iji kunbayn kariku | rain stop slowly, then begin-again, heavy very before-ABL, old-man said rain wet.season finish not.yet

kaba wulal yinyamun yudal kulngkul bajaku mukul dingkar kunbayn

yudal-baja 'begin again'; kunbayn kariku 'not yet finished'; kaba wet season; kulngkul heavy


The old man threw the spear and missed, and threw again, and missed again, and threw a third time, and this time the pig fell.

Mukul-dingkarangka kalka daman, kima-kari, daman-baja, kima-kari-baja, daman jambulumbul-mu, niji bikibiki daran.

mukul-dingkar-angka kalka dama-ny, kima-kari, dama-ny-baja, kima-kari-baja, dama-ny jambulumbul-mu, niji bikibiki dara-ny | old-man-ERG:pt spear threw, miss, threw-again, miss-again, threw three-POSS(third), now pig fall-PAST

mukul dingkar kalka damal kima baja jambulumbul bikibiki daral

dama-ny-baja 'threw again'; kima-kari 'missed'; jambulumbul-mu 'a third time'; bikibiki pig (b110); dara-y fall (b110)


The old woman said tell the old stories again and again to the children, for a story not told again is a story that dies with you.

Mukul-jalbu balkan: kuku ngadiku karrkay-karrkay-nka balka-baja balka-baja, kuku kari balka-nya-baja nyulu yundu-jirr wula.

mukul-jalbu balka-ny: kuku ngadiku karrkay-karrkay-nka balka-baja balka-baja, kuku kari balka-nya-baja nyulu yundu-jirr wula | old-woman said: word old child-REDUP-DAT tell-again tell-again, word NEG tell-SUB-again 3sg you-COMIT die

mukul jalbu kuku ngadiku karrkay balkal kari yundu wulal

balka-baja balka-baja 'tell again and again'; kuku story; ngadiku old (b112); wula die (a story dies with you)


When the old man had finished eating, he wiped his hands, filled his pipe again, and began the long story of how his father found this country.

Mukul-dingkar nuka kunbayn-nya, mara janji, nyungu jujubala warmba-baja, kuku kalbay yudal nyungu nganjan bubu yinya warmban.

mukul-dingkar nuka kunbayn-nya, mara janji, nyungu jujubala warmba-baja, kuku kalbay yudal nyungu nganjan bubu yinya warmba-ny | old-man eat finish-SUB, hand wipe(wash), his pipe fill-again, word long begin his father country this found

mukul dingkar nukal kunbayn mara janji warmbal kuku yudal nganjan

kunbayn-nya 'when finished' + yudal 'begin'; warmba-baja 'fill again'; nganjan father (b94)


The old woman planted the seed again where the old tree had fallen, and said the country begins again wherever a person plants and waits.

Mukul-jalbu-ngku diburr wandin-baja juku wulman dara-nya-ba, balkan: bubu yudal-baja wanja bama wandi-nya bunda-nya.

mukul-jalbu-ngku diburr wandi-ny-baja juku wulman dara-nya-ba, balka-ny: bubu yudal-baja wanja bama wandi-nya bunda-nya | old-woman-ERG:pt seed put-PAST-again tree old fall-SUB-LOC, said: country begin-again where person plant-SUB wait-SUB

mukul jalbu diburr wandil juku wulman daral yudal wanja bundal

wandin-baja 'planted again'; yudal-baja 'begins again'; wanja where (b108); diburr seed (b113)


The young man walked to the sea and back again, and to the ranges and back again, and could not find the camp of the girl he loved.

Warru jalun-ka dunga bayan-ka nyunba-baja, jamba-ka dunga bayan-ka nyunba-baja, nyulu jalbu kuru-mu bayan kari warmba.

warru jalun-ka dunga bayan-ka nyunba-baja, jamba-ka dunga bayan-ka nyunba-baja, nyulu jalbu kuru-mu bayan kari warmba | young.man sea-DAT go camp-DAT return-again, range-DAT go camp-DAT return-again, 3sg woman love-POSS camp NEG find

warru jalun dungay bayan nyunbay jamba jalbu kuru warmbal

nyunba-baja 'return again' (repeated journeys); jalun sea (b102); kuru love (b109); warmba-l find (b110)


The old man said the day is finished, the fire is low, the children are asleep; now the old people may talk of the things not spoken by day.

Mukul-dingkar balkan: wungar kunbayn, baya bada, karrkay-karrkay warngku; niji mukul-bama kuku wungar-a balka-nya-kari balka.

mukul-dingkar balka-ny: wungar kunbayn, baya bada, karrkay-karrkay warngku; niji mukul-bama kuku wungar-a balka-nya-kari balka | old-man said: day finish, fire low, child-REDUP asleep; now old-people word day-LOC tell-SUB-PRIV tell

mukul dingkar wungar kunbayn baya karrkay warngku niji kuku balkal

wungar kunbayn 'the day is finished'; niji 'now'; balka-nya-kari 'not spoken' (PRIV on SUB)


The old woman kept feeding the child a little and a little more until she had finished the whole small yam, and then the child slept.

Mukul-jalbu-ngku karrkay mayi daji buban, buban-baja, nyulu bambayal buban narmba kunbayn-nya, yinyamun karrkay warngku wuna.

mukul-jalbu-ngku karrkay mayi daji buban, buban-baja, nyulu bambayal buban narmba kunbayn-nya, yinyamun karrkay warngku wuna | old-woman-ERG:pt child food give small, small-again, 3sg yam small whole finish-SUB, then child sleep lie

mukul jalbu karrkay mayi dajil bambayal kunbayn yinyamun warngku

buban-baja 'a little more again'; kunbayn-nya 'when finished'; bambayal yam (b113); daji-l give


The old man tried the hard shell again and again with the stone, and when at last it broke, the sweet white nut inside was worth all the work.

Mukul-dingkarangka bijalabay dandi kulji-bu dumbarri-baja dumbarri-baja, nyulu dumbarri-nya kariku, nyungu julbi jiba-wulay balbal yukil wubulku-jirr ngulkurr.

mukul-dingkar-angka bijalabay dandi kulji-bu dumbarri-baja dumbarri-baja, nyulu dumbarri-nya kariku, nyungu julbi jiba-wulay balbal yukil wubul-ku-jirr ngulkurr | old-man-ERG:pt five.corner.nut hard stone-INST break-again break-again, 3sg break-SUB not.yet(until), its inside sweet white work all-COMIT good

mukul dingkar bijalabay dandi kulji dumbarril julbi jiba-wulay yukil

dumbarri-baja 'crack again and again'; bijalabay five-corner nut (b113); dumbarri-l break (b113); julbi inside (b109)


When the mourning was finished, the old woman spoke the dead man's name aloud again for the first time, and the people knew the grief was closing.

Jiba-badi kunbayn-nya, mukul-jalbu bama wula-nya-mu burri yirrka-baja nyubun-bu, bama binal jiba-badi kunba-nya.

jiba-badi kunbayn-nya, mukul-jalbu bama wula-nya-mu burri yirrka-baja nyubun-bu, bama binal jiba-badi kunba-nya | grief finish-SUB, old-woman person die-SUB-POSS name call-again one-INST(first.time), person know grief finish-SUB

jiba-badi kunbayn mukul jalbu wulal burri yirrkal binal kunbal

jiba-badi kunbayn-nya 'when the mourning was finished'; yirrka-baja 'speak again'; burri name (b109); the name-taboo lifting


The old man said a good hunter tries again where he failed, and again, and again, and the country teaches him a little more each time.

Mukul-dingkar balkan: balbi-bama ngulkurr yudal-baja wanja nyulu kima-kari, yudal-baja, yudal-baja, bubu-ngku nyungu murni buban wungar nyubun-nyubun-ba.

mukul-dingkar balka-ny: balbi-bama ngulkurr yudal-baja wanja nyulu kima-kari, yudal-baja, yudal-baja, bubu-ngku nyungu murni buban wungar nyubun-nyubun-ba | old-man said: hunter good try(begin)-again where 3sg fail, begin-again, begin-again, country-ERG:pt him teach little time each-LOC

mukul dingkar balbi bama ngulkurr yudal kima bubu murnil wungar

yudal-baja 'try/begin again' (iterated); balbi-bama 'hunter'; kima-kari 'fail/miss'; the country as teacher


The old man said this yam is rather big, but that one is very big, the biggest I have dug in this ground for many years.

Mukul-dingkar balkan: yinya bambayal jarra-yalbay, yamba yinya yalbay-baja-ku, yalbay wubulku-muny ngayu bubu yinya-ba baka wungar wubul-muny.

mukul-dingkar balka-ny: yinya bambayal jarra-yalbay, yamba yinya yalbay-baja-ku, yalbay wubul-ku-muny ngayu bubu yinya-ba baka wungar wubul-muny | old-man said: this yam DEG1-big(rather.big), but that big-DEG2-EMPH(very.big), big all-ABL(biggest) 1sg ground this-LOC dig year many-ABL

mukul dingkar bambayal jarra yalbay bajaku ngayu bubu bakal wungar

⭐jarra-yalbay 'rather big' (DEG1, l.2113) vs yalbay-baja-ku 'very big' (DEG2, ex.82); bambayal yam (b113)


I am rather hungry now, the child said, but by nightfall I will be very hungry, so let us dig a few more yams before the sun goes down.

Ngayu jarra-dakwuy niji, karrkay balkan, yamba wujurr-ma-nya ngayu dakwuy-baja-ku, ngali bambayal kanbal baka-baja wungar bada dunga kariku.

ngayu jarra-dakwuy niji, karrkay balka-ny, yamba wujurr-ma-nya ngayu dakwuy-baja-ku, ngali bambayal kanbal baka-baja wungar bada dunga kariku | 1sg DEG1-hungry now, child said, but evening 1sg hungry-DEG2-EMPH(very), 1du yam some dig-again sun down go not.yet(before)

ngayu jarra dakwuy niji karrkay wujurr bambayal kanbal bakal

⭐jarra-dakwuy 'rather hungry' vs dakwuy-baja-ku 'very hungry' (ex.82); baka-baja 'dig more'; ngali 1du (b106)


The old woman said the water is rather cold in the morning but very cold at night, so wash early, before the sun leaves the sky.

Mukul-jalbu balkan: bana jarra-ngiki wunkuwingku, yamba ngiki-baja-ku wujurr-ba, janji niji-niji, wungar jiri-muny dunga kariku.

mukul-jalbu balka-ny: bana jarra-ngiki wunkuwingku, yamba ngiki-baja-ku wujurr-ba, janji niji-niji, wungar jiri-muny dunga kariku | old-woman said: water DEG1-cold morning, but cold-DEG2-EMPH(very) night-LOC, wash early, sun sky-ABL go not.yet(before)

mukul jalbu bana jarra ngiki wunkuwingku janji wungar jiri

jarra-ngiki 'rather cold' vs ngiki-baja-ku 'very cold'; janji wash (b103); wunkuwingku morning (b111); jiri sky (b111)


The old man said that young man is rather clever but this old woman is very wise, and cleverness and wisdom are not the same thing at all.

Mukul-dingkar balkan: yinya warru jarra-binal, yamba yinya mukul-jalbu binal-baja-ku, binal buban binal yalbay-jirr kari nyubun bajaku.

mukul-dingkar balka-ny: yinya warru jarra-binal, yamba yinya mukul-jalbu binal-baja-ku, binal buban binal yalbay-jirr kari nyubun bajaku | old-man said: that young.man DEG1-clever, but that old-woman wise-DEG2-EMPH(very), clever small wise big-COMIT NEG same at.all

mukul dingkar warru jarra binal mukul jalbu nyubun kari

jarra-binal 'rather clever' vs binal-baja-ku 'very wise'; binal know/wise (b108); kari nyubun 'not the same' (b112)


The little fish are rather many in the shallow water, the old man said, but very many in the deep pool, so set the net where the water is dark.

Kuyu buban jarra-wubul bana buban-ba, mukul-dingkar balkan, yamba wubul-baja-ku bana dajali-ba, makarr kaja bana ngumbu-ba.

kuyu buban jarra-wubul bana buban-ba, mukul-dingkar balka-ny, yamba wubul-baja-ku bana dajali-ba, makarr kaja bana ngumbu-ba | fish small DEG1-many water shallow(small)-LOC, old-man said, but many-DEG2-EMPH(very) water deep-LOC, net set(tie) water dark-LOC

kuyu jarra wubul bana mukul dingkar dajali makarr kajal ngumbu

jarra-wubul 'rather many' vs wubul-baja-ku 'very many'; makarr net (b107); dajali deep; ngumbu dark (b109)


The old woman said grief is rather heavy at first but very heavy on the third day, and then, slowly, day by day, it grows lighter.

Mukul-jalbu balkan: jiba-badi jarra-kulngkul nyubun-bu, yamba kulngkul-baja-ku wungar jambulumbul-mu, yinyamun, buban-buban, wungar nyubun-nyubun-ba, buban-ma-l.

mukul-jalbu balka-ny: jiba-badi jarra-kulngkul nyubun-bu, yamba kulngkul-baja-ku wungar jambulumbul-mu, yinyamun, buban-buban, wungar nyubun-nyubun-ba, buban-ma-l | old-woman said: grief DEG1-heavy first, but heavy-DEG2-EMPH(very) day three-POSS(third), then, slowly, day each-LOC, small(light)-INCHO

mukul jalbu jiba-badi jarra kulngkul jambulumbul yinyamun buban

jarra-kulngkul 'rather heavy' vs kulngkul-baja-ku 'very heavy'; jiba-badi grief (b109); buban-ma-l 'grows lighter'


The old man said the young man is rather brave, but the man who is afraid and stands anyway is very brave, and that is the one to follow.

Mukul-dingkar balkan: warru jarra-yinil-kari, yamba dingkar yinil-jirr janay-baja nyulu yinil-kari-baja-ku, yinya nyunba-nka.

mukul-dingkar balka-ny: warru jarra-yinil-kari, yamba dingkar yinil-jirr janay-baja nyulu yinil-kari-baja-ku, yinya nyunba-nka | old-man said: young.man DEG1-fearless, but man fear-COMIT stand-still 3sg fearless-DEG2-EMPH(very.brave), that follow-DAT

mukul dingkar warru jarra yinil janay nyunbay

jarra-yinil-kari 'rather brave' vs yinil-kari-baja-ku 'very brave'; yinil-kari 'fearless' (PRIV b110); janay stand


The old woman said this fruit is rather sweet but that one is very sweet, so give the sweet one to the child and keep the rather sweet for yourself.

Mukul-jalbu balkan: yinya mayi jarra-jiba-wulay, yamba yinya jiba-wulay-baja-ku, mayi jiba-wulay-baja-ku karrkay-nka daji, jarra-jiba-wulay yununy mani.

mukul-jalbu balka-ny: yinya mayi jarra-jiba-wulay, yamba yinya jiba-wulay-baja-ku, mayi jiba-wulay-baja-ku karrkay-nka daji, jarra-jiba-wulay yununy mani | old-woman said: this fruit DEG1-sweet, but that sweet-DEG2-EMPH(very), fruit very-sweet child-DAT give, rather-sweet yourself take

mukul jalbu mayi jarra jiba-wulay karrkay dajil yununy manil

jarra-jiba-wulay 'rather sweet' vs jiba-wulay-baja-ku 'very sweet'; yununy 'yourself' ACC (b106); daji-l give


The track is rather long by the river but very long over the range, the old man said, so we will walk the long way and sleep one night on the road.

Jina jarra-kalbay wawubaja ngundu, yamba kalbay-baja-ku jamba-burr, mukul-dingkar balkan, ngali jina kalbay jilba wujurr nyubun wuna jina-ba.

jina jarra-kalbay wawubaja ngundu, yamba kalbay-baja-ku jamba-burr, mukul-dingkar balka-ny, ngali jina kalbay jilba wujurr nyubun wuna jina-ba | track DEG1-long river near, but long-DEG2-EMPH(very) range-PERL, old-man said, 1du track long walk night one sleep track-LOC

jina jarra kalbay wawubaja jamba mukul dingkar jilba wujurr

jarra-kalbay 'rather long' vs kalbay-baja-ku 'very long'; jina track (b112); jamba-burr 'over the range' PERL


The old woman said a rather good story makes the children listen, but a very good story makes them forget the fire has gone out and the night is cold.

Mukul-jalbu balkan: kuku jarra-ngulkurr karrkay-karrkay milka-janay-mani, yamba kuku ngulkurr-baja-ku jana baya wulan wujurr ngiki-jirr milka-wula-mani.

mukul-jalbu balka-ny: kuku jarra-ngulkurr karrkay-karrkay milka-janay-mani, yamba kuku ngulkurr-baja-ku jana baya wula-ny wujurr ngiki-jirr milka-wula-mani | old-woman said: story DEG1-good child-REDUP listen-CAUS, but story good-DEG2-EMPH(very) 3pl fire die-PAST night cold-COMIT ear-forget-CAUS

mukul jalbu kuku jarra ngulkurr karrkay milka-janay baya wulal

jarra-ngulkurr 'rather good' vs ngulkurr-baja-ku 'very good'; milka-janay listen (b109); milka-wula 'forget'


So the old man taught the boy the whole shape of doing: keep at it, do it again, finish it, and only call a thing very good when it is truly finished.

Yala mukul-dingkarangka karrkay balka yukil-mu narmba: yudal bundanday, yalama-baja, kunbayn, kuku ngulkurr-baja-ku balka nyulu nguymal kunbayn-nya kariku.

yala mukul-dingkar-angka karrkay balka yukil-mu narmba: yudal bunda-n-bunda-y, yalama-baja, kunbayn, kuku ngulkurr-baja-ku balka nyulu nguymal kunbayn-nya kariku | thus old-man-ERG:pt child taught doing-POSS whole: begin keep-at.it, do-again, finish, word very-good say 3sg truly finish-SUB not.yet(until)

yala mukul dingkar karrkay yukil yudal bundanday kunbayn nguymal

⭐ties it together: yudal begin / bundanday keep-at-it / -baja again / kunbayn finish; nguymal truly (b105); yukil work/doing


In the dry season the men wade out onto the reef at low tide and spear the big kingfish in the clear still pools.

Marral-wungar dingkar-dingkar dulngku-ka janji ngajal-ba, danbal yalbay kalka-bu dama bana janka balbal-ba.

marral-wungar dingkar-dingkar dulngku-ka janji ngajal-ba, danbal yalbay kalka-bu dama bana janka balbal-ba | dry.time man-REDUP reef-DAT wade low.tide-LOC, kingfish big spear-INST throw(stab) water still clear-LOC

marral dingkar dulngku janji ngajal danbal yalbay kalka damal bana

⭐danbal 'kingfish'; dulngku reef; ngajal low tide; kalka spear (b107); janji wade (b103)


The old man taught the boy to stand very still and spear the archer-fish quickly, before it can dart away into the deep.

Mukul-dingkarangka karrkay balkan: janjanay janka bajaku, dalku bila dama, nyulu wanarri dajali-ka kariku.

mukul-dingkar-angka karrkay balka-ny: janjanay janka bajaku, dalku bila dama, nyulu bana buwa wanarri kariku | old-man-ERG:pt child told: keep-standing still very, archer.fish fast spear, 3sg run(dart) deep-DAT not.yet(before)

mukul dingkar karrkay janjanay janka dalku bila damal bana wanarri

dalku 'archer-fish'; janjanay keep-standing (b114); bila fast (b112); wanarri dart (b114); dama spear


The small silverfish move in a great shining cloud in the shallows, and the children scoop them with their bark dishes, laughing.

Jingka-jingka jirril balbal-jirr wubul bana buban-ba jurrki, karrkay-karrkay dumbul-bu mani, yajarri.

jingka-jingka jirril balbal-jirr wubul bana buban-ba jurrki, karrkay-karrkay dumbul-bu mani, yajarri | silverfish small bright-COMIT many water shallow(small)-LOC turn(move), child-REDUP bark-INST get, laugh

jingka-jingka jirril balbal wubul bana jurrkil karrkay bukul manil yajarril

jingka-jingka 'silverfish'; jirril 'small fish'; bukul bark-dish (b113); mani-l scoop/get; yajarri laugh (b112)


The old woman set the fish-net across the narrow creek-mouth at high tide, and by low tide it was heavy with catfish and garfish.

Mukul-jalbu-ngku makarr kaja wawubaja ngandal buban-ba balar-a, ngajal-ba nyulu kulngkul julaji kalu-jirr.

mukul-jalbu-ngku makarr kaja wawubaja ngandal buban-ba balar-a, ngajal-ba nyulu kulngkul julaji kalu-jirr | old-woman-ERG:pt net set(tie) river mouth small-LOC high.tide-LOC, low.tide-LOC 3sg heavy catfish garfish-COMIT

mukul jalbu makarr kajal wawubaja ngandal balar ngajal julaji kalu

⭐makarr net (b107); balar high tide vs ngajal low tide; julaji catfish; kalu garfish; ngandal mouth (b109)


The queenfish is fast and strong and fights hard on the spear, the old man said, so hold the shaft tight or it will break away.

Balarri bila junkurr, kalka-ba kuli-ma-l bajaku, mukul-dingkar balkan, kalka junkurr karrba, kari nyulu dumbarri wanarri.

balarri bila junkurr, kalka-ba kuli-ma-l bajaku, mukul-dingkar balka-ny, kalka junkurr karrba, kari nyulu dumbarri wanarri | queenfish fast strong, spear-LOC struggle very, old-man said, spear tight hold, NEG 3sg break run(away)

balarri bila junkurr kalka kuli mukul karrbal dumbarril wanarri

balarri 'queenfish'; kalka spear (b107); karrba-l hold (b113); dumbarri break (b113); wanarri dart (b114)


The freshwater fish live in the deep still pool under the fig tree, the old man said, and rise to feed only in the cool evening.

Dijarr bana dajali janka-ba wuna dukal juku bada-ba, mukul-dingkar balkan, nyulu daka nuka-nka ngiki wujurr-ma-nya nyubun-bu.

dijarr bana dajali janka-ba wuna dukal juku bada-ba, mukul-dingkar balka-ny, nyulu daka nuka-nka ngiki wujurr-ma-nya nyubun-bu | freshwater.fish water deep still-LOC lie fig tree below-LOC, old-man said, 3sg rise eat-PURP cool evening one-INST(only)

dijarr bana dajali janka dukal juku dakal nukal ngiki wujurr

dijarr 'freshwater fish'; dajali deep (b112); dukal fig (b113); wujurr-ma-nya evening (b111)


The big black eel hides under the sunken log all day and comes out to hunt only in the black of the night.

Kubarr ngumbu juku bana bada-ba wawan wungar wubulku, ngalkal kaday balbi-nka wujurr ngumbu-ba nyubun-bu.

kubarr ngumbu juku bana bada-ba wawan wungar wubul-ku, ngalkal kaday balbi-nka wujurr ngumbu-ba nyubun-bu | eel black log water under-LOC hide day all, out come hunt-PURP night black-LOC one-INST(only)

kubarr ngumbu juku bana wungar ngalkal kaday balbi wujurr

kubarr 'big black freshwater eelfish'; ngumbu black (b109); ngalkal out (b102); balbi-nka PURP 'to hunt'


The children caught many small fish in the shallow water with a net of woven grass, and the old woman cooked them whole in the ashes.

Karrkay-karrkay kuyu jirril wubul mani bana buban-ba makarr jikan-mu-bu, mukul-jalbu-ngku narmba waju kubu-ba.

karrkay-karrkay kuyu jirril wubul mani bana buban-ba makarr jikan-mu-bu, mukul-jalbu-ngku narmba waju kubu-ba | child-REDUP fish small many catch water shallow-LOC net grass-POSS-INST, old-woman-ERG:pt whole cook ash-LOC

karrkay kuyu jirril wubul manil bana makarr jikan wajul kubu

kuyu fish; jirril small fish; makarr net (b107); jikan grass (b?); waju-l cook; kubu ash (b109)


The old man said a good fisherman reads the water like a face: a swirl here, a shadow there, a ring on the surface — all of it says fish.

Mukul-dingkar balkan: kuyu-bama ngulkurr bana nyaji yala walu — jurrki yaluy, ngungul yinya, murru-murru wangkar-a — wubulku balka kuyu.

mukul-dingkar balka-ny: kuyu-bama ngulkurr bana nyaji yala walu — jurrki yaluy, ngungul yinya, murru-murru wangkar-a — wubul-ku balka kuyu | old-man said: fisherman good water read COMP(like) face — swirl here, shadow there, ring surface-LOC — all say fish

mukul dingkar kuyu bama bana nyajil yala walu ngungul jurrkil

kuyu-bama 'fisherman'; bana nyaji yala walu 'read water like a face' (b112 yala); jurrki swirl (b103)


The catfish has sharp spines that poison the hand, the old woman warned, so kill it first with a stick before you take it from the net.

Kanyaji jarran junkurr-jirr mara ngunyanji-mani, mukul-jalbu balkan, juku-bu kuni nyubun-bu, makarr-muny mani kariku.

kanyaji jarran junkurr-jirr mara ngunyanji-mani, mukul-jalbu balka-ny, juku-bu kuni nyubun-bu, makarr-muny mani kariku | catfish spine hard-COMIT hand poison-CAUS, old-woman said, stick-INST kill one-INST(first), net-ABL take not.yet(before)

kanyaji jarran junkurr mara mukul juku kunil makarr manil

kanyaji 'catfish'; jarran spine (b113); kuni-l kill (b?); makarr net; poison-hand warning


The flathead lies flat and still on the sandy bottom, the colour of the sand itself, and only its two small eyes give it away.

Dukul-barangkal jukar-a bada wuna balbal-kari, jukar yala nyubun, nyungu miyil buban jambul-bu nyulu balka.

dukul-barangkal jukar-a bada wuna balbal-kari, jukar yala nyubun, nyungu miyil buban jambul-bu nyulu balka | flathead sand-LOC below lie flat(move-PRIV), sand COMP(like) one(same), its eye small two-INST 3sg tell(give.away)

dukul-barangkal jukar bada balbal yala nyubun miyil jambul balkal

dukul-barangkal 'flathead'; jukar sand (b107); jukar yala 'like the sand' (b112); miyil eye (b109); camouflage


The men speared the kingfish and the queenfish from the rocks all morning, and carried a heavy string of them back to the camp at noon.

Dingkar-dingkar-angka danbal balarri-jirr kulji-muny dama wunkuwingku wubulku, kuyu karra kulngkul bayan-ka jarra-kulba wungar wangkar-wangkar.

dingkar-dingkar-angka danbal balarri-jirr kulji-muny dama wunkuwingku wubul-ku, kuyu karra kulngkul bayan-ka jarra-kulba wungar wangkar-wangkar | man-REDUP kingfish queenfish-COMIT rock-ABL spear morning all, fish string heavy camp-DAT carry sun midday

dingkar danbal balarri kulji damal wunkuwingku kuyu karra jarra-kulba wangkar

danbal kingfish + balarri queenfish; kulji rock (b107); jarra-kulba carry (b113); wangkar-wangkar midday (b111)


The old man said never take the small fish or the mother fish, for the sea gives forever only to those who leave enough behind.

Mukul-dingkar balkan: kuyu buban baluda mani, kuyu ngamu baluda mani, jalun dajil wubulku-nka nyubun-bu bama kanbal wuna-nya-nka.

mukul-dingkar balka-ny: kuyu buban baluda mani, kuyu ngamu baluda mani, jalun daji-l wubul-ku-nka nyubun-bu bama kanbal wuna-nya-nka | old-man said: fish small don't take, fish mother don't take, sea give forever one-INST person some leave-SUB-DAT

mukul dingkar kuyu baluda manil ngamu jalun dajil kanbal

baluda 'don't' PROHIB (b110); ngamu egg (b?); jalun sea (b102); sea-gleaning etiquette; kanbal some (b112)


In the warm season the sea turtle comes up onto the sand at night to make her young, and the people watch the beach and wait.

Wungar-iji ngawiya jukar-ka daka wujurr-ba karrkay bunga-nka, bama jukar nyaji-nyaji bunda.

wungar-iji ngawiya jukar-ka daka wujurr-ba karrkay bunga-nka, bama jukar nyaji-nyaji bunda | hot.season sea.turtle sand-DAT climb night-LOC young make-PURP, person sand keep-watching wait(sit)

wungar ngawiya jukar dakal wujurr karrkay bungal bama nyajil bundal

⭐ngawiya 'sea turtle'; jukar sand; ngamu egg; wandi-nka PURP 'to lay'; nyaji-nyaji keep-watching (b114)


The old men hunt the big sea turtle from the reef with a long spear, the old man said, and one turtle feeds the whole camp for days.

Mukul-dingkar-dingkar ngawiya yalbay balbi dulngku-muny kalka kalbay-bu, mukul-dingkar balkan, ngawiya nyubun bayan narmba mayi dajil wungar wubul.

mukul-dingkar-dingkar ngawiya yalbay balbi dulngku-muny kalka kalbay-bu, mukul-dingkar balka-ny, ngawiya nyubun bayan narmba mayi daji-l wungar wubul | old-man-REDUP sea.turtle big hunt reef-ABL spear long-INST, old-man said, turtle one camp all food give day many

mukul dingkar ngawiya yalbay balbi dulngku kalka bayan mayi dajil

ngawiya sea turtle; balbi-l hunt; dulngku reef; kalka spear (b107); one-turtle-feeds-all


The turtle-shell is hard and beautiful, the old woman said, and the people make it into dishes and ornaments and keep it a long time.

Kadan junkurr ngulkurr bajaku, mukul-jalbu balkan, bama bungal mayi-karra-nka walu-jirrbu-nka, karrba marri.

kadan junkurr ngulkurr bajaku, mukul-jalbu balka-ny, bama bunga-l mayi-karra-nka walu-jirrbu-nka, karrba marri | turtle.shell hard good very, old-woman said, person make dish-DAT ornament-DAT, keep long.time

kadan junkurr ngulkurr mukul jalbu bungal walu-jirrbu karrbal marri

kadan 'turtle-shell'; bunga-l make; karrba-l keep (b113); marri long time (b111)


The dugong grazes on the sea-grass in the shallow warm water, the old man said, and its flesh and fat are the richest food of all the sea.

Biwuy wayul nuka bana buban wumbul-ba, mukul-dingkar balkan, nyungu minya wandul-jirr mayi ngulkurr bajaku jalun narmba-muny.

biwuy wayul nuka bana buban wumbul-ba, mukul-dingkar balka-ny, nyungu minya wandul-jirr mayi ngulkurr bajaku jalun narmba-muny | dugong sea-grass eat water shallow warm-LOC, old-man said, its meat fat-COMIT food good very sea all-ABL

biwuy jikan jalun nukal bana wumbul minya wandul ngulkurr

⭐biwuy 'dugong'; wayul 'seaweed'; wandul fat (b109); minya meat/flesh; dugong=richest sea food


The dugong is hard to hunt and must be taken quietly on the still water, the old man said, for it hears the least sound and is gone in a moment.

Biwuy balbi buyun, jana janka mani bana wangkar-a, mukul-dingkar balkan, nyulu milka-janay junjuy-mu, wanarri buban-bu.

biwuy balbi buyun, jana janka mani jarba-muny, mukul-dingkar balka-ny, nyulu milka-janay yiba-mu, wanarri buban-bu | dugong hunt hard, 3pl quietly take water on-LOC, old-man said, 3sg listen something-POSS, run(away) small-INST(in.a.moment)

biwuy balbi janka manil bana mukul milka-janay wanarri

biwuy dugong; taken quietly on the water; janka quietly; milka-janay listen (b109); wanarri dart (b114)


The freshwater turtle lives in the swamp and the still lagoon, the old woman said, and the children catch it with their hands in the mud.

Ngujay daburr janka bana-ba wuna, mukul-jalbu balkan, karrkay-karrkay mara-bu mani kambal-kambal-ba.

ngujay daburr janka bana-ba wuna, mukul-jalbu balka-ny, karrkay-karrkay mara-bu mani kambal-kambal-ba | freshwater.turtle swamp still water-LOC lie, old-woman said, child-REDUP hand-INST catch mud-LOC

ngujay daburr janka bana mukul karrkay mara manil kambal-kambal

ngujay 'freshwater turtle'; daburr swamp (b?); kambal-kambal mud; mara-bu 'with the hands'


The old man cooked the sea turtle in a ground oven of hot stones and leaves, and the whole camp gathered when the sweet smell rose.

Mukul-dingkarangka ngawiya waju bubu-ba kulji wumbul birra-jirr, bama narmba muru kaday kubu jiba-wulay daka-nya.

mukul-dingkar-angka ngawiya waju bubu-ba kulji wumbul birra-jirr, bama narmba muru kaday kubu jiba-wulay daka-nya | old-man-ERG:pt sea.turtle cook ground-LOC stone hot leaf-COMIT, person all together come smoke sweet rise-SUB

mukul dingkar ngawiya wajul bubu kulji wumbul birra muru kubu

ngawiya sea turtle; ground-oven (bubu + kulji wumbul + birra); muru together (b111); kubu smoke (b109)


The old woman said the turtle comes back to the very beach where she was born to make her own young, year after year, all her long life.

Mukul-jalbu balkan: ngawiya nyunba jukar nyubun-ka wanja nyulu warmba-nya, karrkay bunga-nka, wungar-baja wungar-baja, nyungu wuna kalbay narmba.

mukul-jalbu balka-ny: ngawiya nyunba jukar nyubun-ka wanja nyulu warmba-nya, karrkay bunga-nka, wungar-baja wungar-baja, nyungu wuna kalbay narmba | old-woman said: sea.turtle return sand one-DAT where 3sg born-SUB, young make-PURP, year-again year-again, her life long all

mukul jalbu ngawiya nyunbay jukar wanja warmbal ngamu wandil

ngawiya sea turtle; wungar-baja wungar-baja 'year after year' (b114 -baja); wanja where (b108); the natal-beach return


The two young men swam out beyond the reef to the deep blue water where the big turtles feed on the drifting weed.

Warru jambul-angka dulngku-muny kala-kalbay-ka maraji, bana dajali jiri-mu-ba wanja ngawiya yalbay wayul warri-nya nuka.

warru jambul-angka dulngku-muny kala-kalbay-ka maraji, bana dajali jiri-mu-ba wanja ngawiya yalbay wayul warri-nya nuka | young.man two-ERG:pt reef-ABL far-DAT swim, water deep sky-POSS-LOC where sea.turtle big seaweed drift-SUB eat

warru jambul maraji dulngku bana dajali jiri ngawiya wayul nukal

jarba canoe (CHECK); dulngku reef; bana dajali 'deep water'; ngawiya sea turtle; wayul seaweed


The old man said the sea turtle is very old, older than the oldest person, and it carries the shape of the world on its patterned back.

Mukul-dingkar balkan: ngawiya wulman bajaku, wulman bama wulman narmba-muny, nyulu bubu-mu walu muku-ba jarra-kulba.

mukul-dingkar balka-ny: ngawiya wulman bajaku, wulman bama wulman narmba-muny, nyulu bubu-mu walu muku-ba jarra-kulba | old-man said: sea.turtle old very, old person old all-ABL, 3sg world-POSS face(shape) back-LOC carry

mukul dingkar ngawiya wulman bajaku bama bubu walu muku jarra-kulba

ngawiya sea turtle; degree by juxtaposition 'old, very old, oldest' (b112); muku back (b109); jarra-kulba carry (b113)


The dugong-hunter must know the tides and the sea-grass beds and the moon, the old man said, for the hunt is the whole knowledge of the sea.

Biwuy-balbi-bama binal yira wayul-jirr kija-jirr, mukul-dingkar balkan, balbi jalun-mu binal narmba.

biwuy-balbi-bama binal yira wayul-jirr kija-jirr, mukul-dingkar balka-ny, balbi jalun-mu binal narmba | dugong-hunter know tide sea-grass-COMIT moon-COMIT, old-man said, hunt sea-POSS knowledge whole

biwuy balbi bama binal yira jikan jalun kija narmba

biwuy-balbi-bama 'dugong-hunter'; yira tide; kija moon (b111); binal know (b108); the hunt as total sea-knowledge


The old woman shared the turtle meat by the strict law, the old man said: this piece to the hunter, this to the elders, this to every child.

Mukul-jalbu-ngku ngawiya minya daji yukil-mu narmba, mukul-dingkar balkan: yinya balbi-bama-nka, yinya mukul-bama-nka, yinya karrkay wubulku-nka.

mukul-jalbu-ngku ngawiya minya daji yukil-mu narmba, mukul-dingkar balka-ny: yinya balbi-bama-nka, yinya mukul-bama-nka, yinya karrkay wubul-ku-nka | old-woman-ERG:pt sea.turtle meat share(give) law-POSS whole, old-man said: this hunter-DAT, this elder-DAT, this child all-DAT

mukul jalbu ngawiya minya dajil balbi bama karrkay wubul

ngawiya turtle; the meat-sharing law (echoes b113 b25); balbi-bama hunter; daji-l share/give


At low tide the women and children go out onto the reef to gather oysters and clams and the small sweet shellfish among the coral.

Ngajal-ba jalbu-jalbu karrkay-karrkay-jirr dulngku-ka dunga, julul darkay-jirr bangka, kuyngkarr buban jiba-wulay karrirrangkal-ba.

ngajal-ba jalbu-jalbu karrkay-karrkay-jirr dulngku-ka dunga, julul darkay-jirr bangka, kuyngkarr buban jiba-wulay karrirrangkal-ba | low.tide-LOC woman-REDUP child-REDUP-COMIT reef-DAT go, oyster clam-COMIT gather, shellfish small sweet coral-LOC

ngajal jalbu karrkay dulngku julul darkay bangka jiba-wulay karrirrangkal

⭐ngajal low tide; julul oyster; darkay clam; bangka-l gather (b113); karrirrangkal coral; reef-gleaning


The old woman prises the oysters off the rock with a sharp stone, the child watching, and eats the first one straight from the shell.

Mukul-jalbu-ngku julul kulji-muny baka kulji jarran-bu, karrkay nyaji-nya, nyubun nuka kajarrbi-muny nyubun-bu.

mukul-jalbu-ngku julul kulji-muny baka kulji jarran-bu, karrkay nyaji-nya, nyubun nuka kajarrbi-muny nyubun-bu | old-woman-ERG:pt oyster rock-ABL prise(dig) stone sharp-INST, child watch-SUB, one eat shell-ABL one-INST(straight)

mukul jalbu julul kulji bakal jarran karrkay nukal kajarrbi

julul oyster; baka-l 'prise/dig' (b113 baka=dig/poke); jarran sharp/spike (b113); kajarrbi 'clam-shell'


The mudcrab hides deep in its hole in the mangrove mud, the old man said, and you must reach in with a careful hand, or the crab will bite it hard.

Kiju kajul jukul-ba nyungu bubu-mabi dajali-ba wawan, mukul-dingkar balkan, yundu mara janka-bu daka, kari kiju mara bayka.

kiju kajul kambal-kambal-ba nyungu bubu-mabi dajali-ba wawan, mukul-dingkar balka-ny, yundu mara janka-bu daka, kari mara-kaki wula | mudcrab mangrove mud(kambal)-LOC its hole deep-LOC hide, old-man said, you hand careful-INST reach, lest crab hand bite

kiju kajul kambal-kambal dajali mukul mara janka kiju bayka

⭐kiju 'mudcrab'; kajul mangrove; kambal-kambal mud; bubu-mabi 'hole'; janka carefully; bayka-l bite (b110)


The little fiddler crabs come out of the sand in their thousands at low tide, the old woman said, waving one big claw like men dancing.

Karruku buban jukar-muny daka wubul ngajal-ba, mukul-jalbu balkan, mara yalbay nyubun murni-murni yala dingkar-dingkar jurbu-nya.

karruku buban jukar-muny daka wubul ngajal-ba, mukul-jalbu balka-ny, mara yalbay nyubun murni-murni yala dingkar-dingkar jurbu-nya | fiddler.crab small sand-ABL come many low.tide-LOC, old-woman said, claw(hand) big one keep-waving COMP(like) man-REDUP dance-SUB

karruku jukar dakal wubul ngajal mara yalbay yala dingkar jurbu

karruku 'fiddler crab'; ngajal low tide; murni-murni 'keep waving' (b114 redup); yala 'like men dancing' (b112); jurbu dance


The old man said the reef is a garden at low tide: oyster and clam and crab and sea-urchin, more food than the people can carry home.

Mukul-dingkar balkan: dulngku mayi-bubu ngajal-ba — julul darkay kiju jalan-jirr, mayi wubul bama jarra-kulba kariku.

mukul-dingkar balka-ny: dulngku mayi-bubu ngajal-ba — julul darkay kiju jalan-jirr, mayi wubul bama jarra-kulba kariku | old-man said: reef food-ground low.tide-LOC — oyster clam mudcrab sea.urchin-COMIT, food much person carry not.able

mukul dingkar dulngku mayi ngajal julul darkay kiju jalan jarra-kulba

dulngku reef as mayi-bubu 'food-ground' (b113); jalan sea-urchin; jarra-kulba carry (b113)


The sea-urchin has sharp black spines that break off in the foot, the old woman warned, so watch the reef-floor and step only on the bare rock.

Jalan jarran ngumbu junkurr-jirr jina-ba dumbarri, mukul-jalbu balkan, dulngku bada nyaji, kulji balbal-ba nyubun-bu jina wandi.

jalan jarran ngumbu junkurr-jirr jina-ba dumbarri, mukul-jalbu balka-ny, dulngku bada nyaji, kulji balbal-ba nyubun-bu jina wanda | sea.urchin spine black hard-COMIT foot-LOC break, old-woman said, reef floor(below) watch, rock bare-LOC one-INST(only) foot put(step)

jalan jarran ngumbu jina dumbarril mukul dulngku kulji wandil

jalan sea-urchin; jarran spine (b113); dumbarri break (b113); jina foot (b109); jina wandi 'step/put foot' (wandi-l put b103)


The children roasted the clams on the coals until the shells opened, the old man said, and the sweet flesh inside was the taste of the whole sea.

Karrkay-karrkay darkay waju kubu-ba, kajarrbi ngalkal-ma-n kariku, mukul-dingkar balkan, julbi jiba-wulay bada-ba jalun narmba-mu jiba.

karrkay-karrkay darkay waju kubu-ba, kajarrbi ngalkal-ma-n kariku, mukul-dingkar balka-ny, julbi jiba-wulay bada-ba jalun narmba-mu jiba | child-REDUP clam cook coal-LOC, shell open-INCHO-PAST until, old-man said, inside sweet below sea all-POSS taste

karrkay darkay wajul kubu kajarrbi ngalkal julbi jiba-wulay jalun

darkay clam; kajarrbi clam-shell; waju-l roast; ngalkal-ma-ny 'opened' (b102 ngalkal); julbi inside (b109)


The old woman knows every rock-pool and every oyster-bed on the whole reef, the people said, and her dilly-bag is never empty at low tide.

Mukul-jalbu binal bana-mabi kulji-jirr julul-bubu wubulku dulngku narmba-ba, bama balkan, nyungu ngunyin kari yamba ngajal-ba.

mukul-jalbu binal bana-mabi kulji-jirr julul-bubu wubul-ku dulngku narmba-ba, bama balka-ny, nyungu ngunyin kari yamba ngajal-ba | old-woman know rock-pool oyster-bed all reef whole-LOC, person said, her dilly.bag NEG empty low.tide-LOC

mukul jalbu binal bana kulji julul dulngku ngunyin ngajal

bana-mabi 'rock-pool' (water-hollow); julul-bubu 'oyster-bed'; ngunyin dilly-bag (b107); binal know (b108)


The old man said gather the crab and the shellfish while the tide is low, but watch the water, for the sea comes back fast over the flat reef.

Mukul-dingkar balkan: kiju darkay-jirr bangka yira ngajal-ba, yamba bana nyaji, jalun kaday bila dulngku ngalkal-burr.

mukul-dingkar balka-ny: kiju darkay-jirr bangka yira ngajal-ba, yamba bana nyaji, jalun kaday bila dulngku ngalkal-burr | old-man said: mudcrab clam-COMIT gather tide low-LOC, but water watch, sea come fast reef flat-PERL

mukul dingkar kiju darkay bangka yira ngajal jalun bila dulngku

kiju mudcrab; bangka-l gather (b113); yira ngajal 'the tide low'; jalun kaday bila 'the sea comes fast'; bila fast (b112)


The old woman said the shell of the trocus makes a good cup and a bright ornament, so keep the big whole ones and do not break them for the flesh.

Mukul-jalbu balkan: dakaldakal kajarrbi mayi-bana-nka ngulkurr walu-jirrbu balbal-nka, yalbay narmba karrba, kari dumbarri minya-nka.

mukul-jalbu balka-ny: dakaldakal kajarrbi mayi-bana-nka ngulkurr walu-jirrbu balbal-nka, yalbay narmba karrba, kari dumbarri minya-nka | old-woman said: trocus.shell shell drink-vessel-DAT good ornament bright-DAT, big whole keep, NEG break flesh-DAT

mukul jalbu dakaldakal kajarrbi ngulkurr walu-jirrbu karrbal dumbarril minya

dakaldakal 'trocus shell'; kajarrbi shell; walu-jirrbu ornament; karrba-l keep (b113); dumbarri break (b113)


The old man taught the boy to feel for the buried cockles with his toes in the wet sand as the tide went out at dusk.

Mukul-dingkarangka karrkay balkan: darkay jukar-a wawan-nya jina-bu nyaji, bana jukar duna-ba, yira dunga wujurr-ma-nya.

mukul-dingkar-angka karrkay balka-ny: darkay jukar-a wawan-nya jina-bu nyaji, bana jukar duna-ba, yira dunga wujurr-ma-nya | old-man-ERG:pt child told: cockle sand-LOC hide-SUB foot-INST feel(see), water sand wet-LOC, tide go dusk

mukul dingkar karrkay darkay jukar jina bana duna yira wujurr

darkay cockle/clam; jina-bu 'with the toes/foot' (b112); duna wet (b?); yira tide; wujurr-ma-nya dusk (b111)


The old woman said the sea feeds you every single day if you know it, the tide going out and coming in each and every day.

Mukul-jalbu balkan: jalun mayi dajil wungar nyubun-nyubun yundu binal-ba, yira dunga kada-baja wungar nyubun-nyubun marri.

mukul-jalbu balka-ny: jalun mayi daji-l wungar nyubun-nyubun yundu binal-ba, yira dunga kada-baja wungar nyubun-nyubun marri | old-woman said: sea food give day each you know-LOC, tide go come-again day each long

mukul jalbu jalun mayi dajil wungar yira kaday yala kudamundu

jalun sea; yira dunga/kaday 'the tide going and coming'; yala kudamundu 'like a breath' (b112); the sea's rhythm


The children filled two dilly-bags with oysters and mudcrabs and small fish, and the whole camp ate well from the reef that night.

Karrkay-karrkay ngunyin jambul julul kiju kuyu jirril-jirr warmba, bayan narmba dulngku-muny ngulkurr nuka wujurr yinya-ba.

karrkay-karrkay ngunyin jambul julul kiju kuyu jirril-jirr warmba, bayan narmba dulngku-muny ngulkurr nuka wujurr yinya-ba | child-REDUP dilly.bag two oyster mudcrab fish small-COMIT fill, camp all reef-ABL good eat night that-LOC

karrkay ngunyin jambul julul kiju kuyu jirril warmbal dulngku nukal

julul oyster + kiju mudcrab + kuyu jirril 'small fish'; ngunyin dilly-bag (b107); warmba 'fill'; dulngku reef


The old man said the sea people, the Jalunji, know the water as the inland people know the scrub, and the sea is their whole country.

Mukul-dingkar balkan: jalun-bama, Jalunji, jalun binal yala bubu-bama madja binal, jalun nyungu bubu narmba.

mukul-dingkar balka-ny: jalun-bama, Jalunji, jalun binal yala bubu-bama madja binal, jalun nyungu bubu narmba | old-man said: sea-people, Jalunji, sea know COMP(like) land-people scrub know, sea their country whole

mukul dingkar jalun bama binal yala bubu madja

⭐Jalunji 'seafarers/sea-people'; jalun sea (b102); yala 'like' (b112); madja scrub (b113); the sea as country


When the high tide comes in the evening, the old man said, the water rises over the whole flat reef and the fish come in close to feed.

Balar wujurr-ma-nya kaday, mukul-dingkar balkan, bana dulngku ngalkal narmba daka, kuyu ngundu kaday nuka-nka.

balar wujurr-ma-nya kaday, mukul-dingkar balka-ny, bana dulngku ngalkal narmba daka, kuyu ngundu kaday nuka-nka | high.tide evening come, old-man said, water reef flat all rise.over, fish near come eat-PURP

balar wujurr kaday mukul dingkar bana dulngku ngalkal kuyu

⭐balar 'high tide'; wujurr-ma-nya evening (b111); bana daka 'water rises over'; dulngku reef; kuyu fish


The great waves come in from the deep sea and break white on the sand, the old man said, and their sound goes on all day and all night.

Mulngku yalbay bana dajali-muny kaday, jukar-a balbal dumbarri, mukul-dingkar balkan, nyungu yirrka janay wungar wujurr-jirr wubulku.

mulngku yalbay bana dajali-muny kaday, jukar-a balbal dumbarri, mukul-dingkar balka-ny, nyungu yirrka janay wungar wujurr-jirr wubul-ku | wave big water deep-ABL come, sand-LOC white break, old-man said, its sound stand(go.on) day night-COMIT all

mulngku yalbay bana dajali jukar balbal dumbarril mukul yirrkal

⭐mulngku 'wave' (NOT wulngku song); dajali deep (b112); jukar sand (b107); dumbarri 'break' (b113); yirrka sound


The old woman said the mangrove is the nursery of the sea, where the little fish and the young crabs hide and grow among the tangled roots.

Mukul-jalbu balkan: kajul jalun-mu karrkay-bubu, wanja kuyu buban kiju buban-jirr ngara jarra-jarra-ba wawan yalbay-ma-l.

mukul-jalbu balka-ny: kajul jalun-mu karrkay-bubu, wanja kuyu buban kiju buban-jirr ngara jarra-jarra-ba wawan yalbay-ma-l | old-woman said: mangrove sea-POSS child-ground(nursery), where fish small crab small-COMIT root tangled-LOC hide big-INCHO

mukul jalbu kajul jalun karrkay kuyu kiju ngara yalbay

kajul 'mangrove'; karrkay-bubu 'nursery' (child-ground); ngara root (b113); mangrove-as-nursery


The old man said watch the tide and the moon together, for the biggest low tides come at the full moon and the new, and that is when to glean the reef.

Mukul-dingkar balkan: yira kija-jirr nyubun-bu nyaji, ngajal yalbay bajaku kija murru-murru-ba kija-kari-ba-jirr, niji dulngku bangka-nka.

mukul-dingkar balka-ny: yira kija-jirr nyubun-bu nyaji, ngajal yalbay bajaku kija murru-murru-ba kija-kari-ba-jirr, niji dulngku bangka-nka | old-man said: tide moon-COMIT one-INST(together) watch, low.tide big very moon round-LOC moon-PRIV-LOC-COMIT, then reef gather-PURP

mukul dingkar yira kija ngajal kija dulngku bangka

yira tide + kija moon together; ngajal low tide; kija murru-murru 'full moon' (b111) vs kija-kari 'new moon (no moon)'; spring tides


The old woman gathered the salt from the dried rock-pools at the top of the beach, the old man said, and traded it far inland for stone and ochre.

Mukul-jalbu-ngku kalkil bana-mabi marral-muny jukar wangkar-a bangka, mukul-dingkar balkan, bubu kala-kalbay-ka daji kulji murbuy-jirr.

mukul-jalbu-ngku kalkil bana-mabi marral-muny jukar wangkar-a bangka, mukul-dingkar balka-ny, bubu kala-kalbay-ka daji kulji marra-jirr | old-woman-ERG:pt salt rock-pool dry-ABL sand top-LOC gather, old-man said, country far-DAT give(trade) stone red.ochre-COMIT

mukul jalbu kalkil bana marral jukar bangka kulji murbuy

kalkil 'salt water/salt'; bana-mabi 'rock-pool'; marral dry; bangka-l gather (b113); murbuy 'red ochre'; salt-trade


The seagulls follow the fishing men all day, the old man said, crying and wheeling over the fishing men, waiting for the scraps thrown on the water.

Dirrmbay kuyu-bama-nka jana-jana wungar wubulku, mukul-dingkar balkan, yirrka-yirrka kuyu-bama wangkar-a jurrki, mayi dara-nya bana-ba bunda.

dirrmbay kuyu-bama-nka jana-jana wungar wubul-ku, mukul-dingkar balka-ny, yirrka-yirrka kuyu-bama wangkar-a jurrki, mayi dara-nya bana-ba bunda | seagull fisherman-DAT keep-following day all, old-man said, keep-crying fisherman above-LOC wheel(turn), scrap fall-SUB water-LOC wait

dirrmbay kuyu bama wungar yirrkal jurrkil mayi daral bundal

dirrmbay 'seagull'; yirrka-yirrka 'keep crying' (b114); kuyu-bama fishermen; jurrki wheel/turn (b103)


The old man said the sea takes as well as gives: it took his own father in a great storm, and yet he loves it and cannot leave the shore.

Mukul-dingkar balkan: jalun mani yala-rrku dajil: nyulu nyungu nganjan manin jarramali yalbay-mba, yamba nyulu jalun-ka kuru-jirr, jukar-muny dunga kari.

mukul-dingkar balka-ny: jalun mani yala-rrku daji-l: nyulu nyungu nganjan mani-ny jarramali yalbay-mba, yamba nyulu jalun-ka kuru-jirr, jukar-muny dunga kari | old-man said: sea take just.as give: 3sg his father took storm big-LOC, but 3sg sea-DAT love-COMIT, shore-ABL go NEG

mukul dingkar jalun manil yala-rrku dajil nganjan jarramali kuru jukar

jalun sea; yala-rrku 'just as/the same' (b112); jarramali storm (b111); kuru-jirr 'with love' (b109); jukar shore/sand


The old woman said the low tide at dawn is the best time to glean, when the reef is bare and cool and the water is still and clear.

Mukul-jalbu balkan: ngajal wunkuwingku-ba ngulkurr bajaku bangka-nka, dulngku ngalkal ngiki-ba, bana janka balbal.

mukul-jalbu balka-ny: ngajal wunkuwingku-ba ngulkurr bajaku bangka-nka, dulngku ngalkal ngiki-ba, bana janka balbal | old-woman said: low.tide dawn-LOC good very gather-PURP, reef bare cool-LOC, water still clear

mukul jalbu ngajal wunkuwingku ngulkurr bangka dulngku ngiki bana

ngajal low tide; wunkuwingku dawn/morning (b111); bangka-nka PURP 'to gather'; dulngku reef; the best gleaning-time


The old man named the fish for the boy as they walked the reef — this is kingfish, this queenfish, this the poison catfish — so the sea would feed him always.

Mukul-dingkarangka kuyu wubulku karrkay-nka burri dulngku jilba-nya — yinya danbal, yinya balarri, yinya kanyaji ngunyanji — jalun nyungu-nka mayi dajil wubulku.

mukul-dingkar-angka kuyu wubul-ku karrkay-nka burri dulngku jilba-nya — yinya danbal, yinya balarri, yinya kanyaji ngunyanji — jalun nyungu-nka mayi daji-l wubul-ku | old-man-ERG:pt fish all child-DAT name reef walk-SUB — this kingfish, this queenfish, this catfish poison — sea him-DAT food give always

mukul dingkar kuyu karrkay burri dulngku danbal balarri kanyaji jalun

burri 'name' (b109); danbal kingfish / balarri queenfish / kanyaji catfish; the naming-the-fish teaching (echoes b113 b37)


The old woman said the shark is the boss of the reef and must be respected: do not swim when the water is dark, and never carry bleeding fish through the deep channel.

Mukul-jalbu balkan: bilmbin dulngku-mu maja, yararri-jirr: baluda maraji bana ngumbu-ba, kuyu mula-jirr baluda jarra-kulba bana dajali-burr.

mukul-jalbu balka-ny: bilmbin dulngku-mu maja, yararri-jirr: baluda maraji bana ngumbu-ba, kuyu mula-jirr baluda jarra-kulba bana dajali-burr | old-woman said: shark reef-POSS boss, fear-COMIT: don't swim water dark-LOC, fish blood-COMIT don't carry water deep-PERL

mukul jalbu bilmbin dulngku maja yararri maraji bana mula jarra-kulba

bilmbin 'black-tip shark'; maja boss (b?); maraji 'swim'; mula blood (b109); baluda PROHIB (b110); shark-respect law


So the old man named the whole living sea for the boy — fish and turtle, dugong and crab, oyster and shark and the great slow tide — the seafarers' whole country.

Yala mukul-dingkarangka jalun murrku narmba karrkay-nka burri — kuyu ngawiya-jirr, biwuy kiju-jirr, julul bilmbin yira yalbay buban-buban-jirr — Jalunji-mu bubu narmba.

yala mukul-dingkar-angka jalun murrku narmba karrkay-nka burri — kuyu ngawiya-jirr, biwuy kiju-jirr, julul bilmbin yira yalbay buban-buban-jirr — Jalunji-mu bubu narmba | thus old-man-ERG:pt sea living whole child-DAT name — fish turtle, dugong crab, oyster shark tide big slow-COMIT — seafarers-POSS country whole

yala mukul dingkar jalun karrkay burri kuyu ngawiya biwuy kiju

⭐full sea inventory: kuyu/ngawiya/biwuy/kiju/julul/bilmbin/yira; burri name (b109); Jalunji seafarers; sea-as-country


If the big rain comes, the river floods, and the people carry all their things away from the water to the high ground.

Kaki kaba yalbay kaday, bana jalungkarr-ma-l, bama nyungu wubulku jarra-kulba bana-muny bubu jarra-jarra-ka.

kaki kaba yalbay kaday, bana jalungkarr-ma-l, bama nyungu wubulku jarra-kulba bana-muny bubu jarra-jarra-ka | if rain big come, water flood-INCHO, person their all carry water-ABL ground high(jarra-jarra)-DAT

kaki kaba yalbay kaday bana jalungkarr bama jarra-kulba jarra-jarra

⭐kaki 'if' (l.5091, kaki-clause FIRST, non-past); kaba rain; jalungkarr-ma-l 'floods' (INCHO); jarra-kulba carry (b113)


If you hunt well and share the meat, the whole camp eats well, the old man said, and no one goes to sleep hungry.

Kaki yundu ngulkurr balbi minya daji, bayan narmba ngulkurr nuka, mukul-dingkar balkan, kari bama dakuy wuna.

kaki yundu ngulkurr balbi minya daji, bayan narmba ngulkurr nuka, mukul-dingkar balka-ny, kari bama dakuy wuna | if you well hunt meat give(share), camp all well eat, old-man said, NEG person hungry lie(sleep)

kaki ngulkurr balbi minya dajil bayan nukal dakuy wunay

kaki 'if'; balbi-l hunt; daji-l share/give; dakuy hungry (b114); kari NEG (b110); share-and-all-eat law


If the small child cries in the night, its mother comes at once and holds it close by the fire until it sleeps.

Kaki karrkay buban wujurr-ba banbadi, nyungu ngamu nyiku-nyiku kaday karrba buri-ngka, wuna-nyjiku.

kaki karrkay buban wujurr-ba banbadi, nyungu ngamu nyiku-nyiku kaday karrba buri-ngka, wuna-nyjiku | if child small night-LOC keep-crying, its mother soon come hold fire-LOC, sleep-before(until)

kaki karrkay buban wujurr banbadi ngamu nyiku-nyiku karrbal buri

kaki 'if'; banbadi keep-crying (b114); ngamu mother; nyiku-nyiku soon (b111); wuna-nyjiku 'until it sleeps' (SUCC)


If you always leave enough behind when you gather, the old woman said, the country will feed you and your children forever.

Kaki yundu kanbal wuna-nya bangka-nya, mukul-jalbu balkan, bubu yundu-nka karrkay-jirr mayi dajil wubulku.

kaki yundu kanbal wuna-nya bangka-nya, mukul-jalbu balka-ny, bubu yundu-nka karrkay-jirr mayi daji-l wubul-ku | if you some leave-SUB gather-SUB, old-woman said, country you-DAT child-COMIT food give all(forever)

kaki kanbal wunay bangka mukul jalbu bubu mayi dajil wubulku

kaki 'if'; kanbal some (b112); bangka-l gather (b113); the leave-enough law; daji-l wubulku 'gives forever'


If the water is dark and you cannot see the bottom, do not swim there, the old man warned, for that is where the shark waits.

Kaki bana ngumbu, yundu bada nyaji kari, kari yinya-ba maraji, mukul-dingkar balkan, bilmbin yinya-ba bunda.

kaki bana ngumbu, yundu bada nyaji kari, kari yinya-ba maraji, mukul-dingkar balka-ny, bilmbin yinya-ba bunda | if water dark, you bottom see NEG, NEG there-LOC swim, old-man said, shark there-LOC wait(sit)

kaki bana ngumbu nyajil kari maraji bilmbin bundal

kaki 'if'; ngumbu dark (b109); maraji swim (b115); bilmbin shark (b115); kari...maraji 'don't swim' NEG (b110)


If the fire goes out in the night, the old man said, the cold comes into your bones, so keep a little wood always by your side.

Kaki buri wujurr-ba wula, mukul-dingkar balkan, ngiki nyungu bajibay-ka kaday, juku buban nyubun-bu nyundu-ngka karrba.

kaki buri wujurr-ba wula, mukul-dingkar balka-ny, ngiki nyungu bajibay-ka kaday, juku buban nyubun-bu nyundu-ngka karrba | if fire night-LOC die(go.out), old-man said, cold your bone(bajibay)-DAT come, wood small one-INST you-LOC hold(keep)

kaki buri wujurr wulal ngiki bajibay kaday juku karrbal

kaki 'if'; buri wula 'the fire dies' (wula-l die/go.out); ngiki cold; bajibay bone; keep-wood-by-you


If you walk very quietly the old man taught, you come close enough to the wallaby to throw the spear.

Kaki yundu janka bajaku jilba, mukul-dingkar balkan, yundu kadar-ka ngundu kaday kalka dama-nka.

kaki yundu janka bajaku jilba, mukul-dingkar balka-ny, yundu kadar-ka ngundu kaday kalka dama-nka | if you quietly very walk, old-man said, you wallaby-DAT near come spear throw-PURP

kaki janka jilba mukul kadar ngundu kalka dama

kaki 'if'; janka quietly; jilba-l walk; kadar wallaby (b105 corpus norm); ngundu near; dama-nka PURP 'to spear'


If the yellow flower of the yam shows above the ground, the old woman said, the big yam is ready to dig below it.

Kaki bambayal-mu nganka bubu wangkar-a nyaji-ma-l, mukul-jalbu balkan, bambayal yalbay kulbul bada-ba baka-nka.

kaki bambayal-mu nganka bubu wangkar-a nyaji-ma-l, mukul-jalbu balka-ny, bambayal yalbay kulbul bada-ba baka-nka | if yam-POSS flower(nganka) ground surface-LOC appear-INCHO, old-woman said, yam big ripe below-LOC dig-PURP

kaki bambayal nganka bubu wangkar kulbul baka yalbay

kaki 'if'; bambayal yam (b113); nganka flower; kulbul ripe/ready; baka-nka PURP 'to dig' (baka-l dig b113)


If you share your food freely with others, the old woman said, then in the hungry time others will share their food with you.

Kaki yundu nyungu mayi bama yindu-nka daji, mukul-jalbu balkan, dakuy-wungar-a bama yindu-ngku yundu-nka mayi daji.

kaki yundu nyungu mayi bama yindu-nka daji, mukul-jalbu balka-ny, dakuy-wungar-a bama yindu-ngku yundu-nka mayi daji | if you your food person other-DAT give, old-woman said, hunger-time-LOC person other-ERG you-DAT food give

kaki mayi yindu dajil mukul jalbu dakuy wungar

kaki 'if'; yindu other (b112); daji-l give/share; dakuy-wungar 'hunger-time'; reciprocity law


If the old people are telling the old stories by the fire, the children must sit quietly and listen and not run about.

Kaki mukul-bama buri-ngka balka-balka, karrkay-karrkay janka bunda milka-janay, kari wanarri.

kaki mukul-bama buri-ngka balka-balka, karrkay-karrkay janka bunda milka-janay, kari wanarri | if old-person fire-LOC keep-telling, child-REDUP quietly sit listen, NEG keep-running

kaki mukul bama buri balka karrkay janka milka-janay wanarri

kaki 'if'; balka-balka keep-telling (b114 redup); milka-janay listen (b109); wanarri run-about (b114)


If you lose the path in the thick scrub, the old man said, follow the little creek downhill and it will always bring you to the big water.

Kaki yundu jina madja junkurr-ba wula-mani, mukul-dingkar balkan, bana-jandu bada-ka jilba, nyulu yundu bana yalbay-ka kada-baja.

kaki yundu jina madja junkurr-ba wula-mani, mukul-dingkar balka-ny, bana-jandu bada-ka jilba, nyulu yundu bana yalbay-ka kaday-baja | if you track scrub thick-LOC lose, old-man said, creek down-DAT walk, 3sg you water big-DAT bring(come-again)

kaki jina madja junkurr mukul bana jilba yalbay

kaki 'if'; jina track/foot (b109); madja scrub (b113); wula-mani 'lose'; bana-jandu creek; follow-the-creek lore