After many days of rain the whole country has become wet, the old woman laughed, squeezing the blankets: the wood is wet, the path is wet, the dog is wet and happy about it, and the firewood's one dry heart lies hidden deep inside, so learn to split the log and take the dry middle, and your fire will never die of rain.

Kaba wungar wubulkumuny bubu wubulku yaru-man, wulbumanangka yajarr-man, kararr jubilnya: juku yaru, baral yaru, kaya yaru nyulu wawu-mini baja, baya-juku wawu marral nyungu wunay ngakijin dukurrba, yalada binal-maka juku dumbarrinka wawu marral maninka, baya yundumuny kariku wulay kabamuny.

kaba wungar wubul-ku-muny bubu wubul-ku yaru-ma-ny, wulbuman-angka yajarr-ma-ny, kararr jubi-l-nya: juku yaru, baral yaru, kaya yaru nyulu wawu-mini baja, baya-juku wawu marral nyungu wuna-y ngakiji-ny dukurr-ba, yala-da binal-ma-ka juku dumbarri-nka wawu marral mani-nka, baya yundu-muny kariku wula-y kaba-muny | rain day many-after country whole wet-became(INCHO), old.woman laughed(INCHO), blanket squeeze-SUB: wood wet, path wet, dog wet it happy too, firewood heart dry its lies hidden deep-LOC, so learn-IMP! log split-DAT heart dry get-PURP, fire your never dies rain-from

yaru wet FIRST USE; jubi-l squeeze in its TRUE attested sense (grammar 3525) — rehabilitated; kaba


Which one is stronger, the sun or the wind? the children argued, and the old woman settled it in the old way: the wind pulled at the traveller's blanket and he held it tighter, the sun stood quietly high and he took the blanket off his own body, so she said: big noise moves nothing, warm patience moves everything.

Wanjaku junkurr-baja, wungar yambada muyar? karrkay-karrkay balka-wan, wulbumanangka yinya murnin yalabu mukulbu: muyarbu kararr kulban jilba-bamamuny, nyulu karrban murrba-baja, wungar janan wunbu wangkara, nyulu-nyulu kararr manin bangkarrmuny, yalada nyulu balkan: kuku yalbay kariku yamba murnil, wawu-karrba wumbul yamba wubulku murnil.

wanjaku junkurr-baja, wungar yambada muyar? karrkay-karrkay balka-wa-ny, wulbuman-angka yinya murni-ny yala-bu mukul-bu: muyar-bu kararr kulba-ny jilba-bama-muny, nyulu karrba-ny murrba-baja, wungar jana-ny wunbu wangkar-a, nyulu-nyulu kararr mani-ny bangkarr-muny, yala-da nyulu balka-ny: kuku yalbay kariku yamba murni-l, wawu-karrba wumbul yamba wubul-ku murni-l | which strong-DEG2, sun or wind? children argue-RECIP, old.woman that settled way-INST old-INST: wind-ERG blanket pulled traveller-of, he held tight-DEG2, sun stood quiet high-LOC, himself blanket took body-from, so she said: noise big never thing moves, patience warm thing all moves

sun-and-wind frame; RECIP balka-wa-ny; DEG2 murrba-baja tighter


In the year the river came into the trees, the old woman was a girl, and she holds the water's quiet in her ear more than its noise: it never roared, it spoke small and rose, spoke small and rose, until the nets were tied at the top of the shelter, so she teaches: from loud water, run with the legs, but when the quiet water is rising, tie the whole camp before dusk.

Wungar wawubaja jukuku kadanmuny, wulbuman nyulu jalbu-buban, nyulu milkanga karrbal bana wunbu, kari kuku yalbay: nyulu kariku yirrkan, nyulu balkan buban wangkar kadan, balkan buban wangkar kadan, yalada makarr kajanmuny bayan wuyara, yalada nyulu milbil: banamuny yalbaymuny warri jandalbu, banamuny wunbumuny wangkar kadanya, bayan wubulku kaja miyil-wujurr-wujurr ngadiku.

wungar wawubaja juku-ku kada-ny-muny, wulbuman nyulu jalbu-buban, nyulu milka-nga karrba-l bana wunbu, kari kuku yalbay: nyulu kariku yirrka-ny, nyulu balka-ny buban wangkar kada-ny, balka-ny buban wangkar kada-ny, yala-da makarr kaja-ny-muny bayan wuyar-a, yala-da nyulu milbi-l: bana-muny yalbay-muny warri jandal-bu, bana-muny wunbu-muny wangkar kada-nya, bayan wubul-ku kaja miyil-wujurr-wujurr ngadiku | year river tree-DAT came-of, old.woman she girl, she ear-LOC holds water quiet, NEG noise big: it never roared, it spoke small up came, spoke small up came, until net tied-of shelter top-LOC, so she teaches: water-from loud-from run! leg-INST, water-from quiet-from up come-SUB, camp whole tie! dusk before

wuyar top FIRST USE; quiet-flood narrative; remember = milka-nga karrba-l idiom


The dew is the night's quiet gift, the old man said, walking the children out at dawn: it puts little stars on every grass blade, it shows every track that walked in the dark, and it waters the grass when no rain comes, so the person who sleeps toward the high sun reads a country that has already been washed.

Bulur nyulu daji-jirray wunbu wujurrmuny, mukulungku dingkarangka balkan, karrkay-karrkay jilba-bunganya muduwajuny: nyulu dawar buban yijarril jikanba nyubun-nyubunba, nyulu jina wubulku milbil wujurrba jilbanmuny, nyulu jikan bana-dayal kaba kari kadanya, yalada bama nyulu wunay wungar wangkarku nyulu bubu nyajil julurrinmuny ngadiku.

bulur nyulu daji-jirray wunbu wujurr-muny, mukul-ungku dingkar-angka balka-ny, karrkay-karrkay jilba-bunga-nya muduwajuny: nyulu dawar buban yijarri-l jikan-ba nyubun-nyubun-ba, nyulu jina wubul-ku milbi-l wujurr-ba jilba-ny-muny, nyulu jikan bana-daya-l kaba kari kada-nya, yala-da bama nyulu wuna-y wungar wangkar-ku nyulu bubu nyaji-l julurri-ny-muny ngadiku | dew it gift quiet night-of, old man said, children walk-CAUS-SUB at-dawn: it star little puts grass-LOC each-LOC, it track all shows dark-LOC walked-of, it grass water-gives rain NEG come-SUB, so person he sleeps sun high-DAT he country reads washed-of already

bulur dew; dawar stars-on-grass image; yijarri-l put 153


On the cold clear nights the stars stand close-packed like sand, and the old woman lay back with the children and taught: that low shining one walks with the wet season, those three standing on a string are the old story, and the pale road across the middle of the sky is a river, and just as you know your country by its rivers, you know the night by that one.

Wujurrba kiway-kiwaymba dawar janay murrba yala jukar, wulbuman wunan karrkay-karrkayanji milbin: dawar bada balbajinya nyulu jilbal bana-wungar-ji, dawar kulur karranga janay jana kuku-jangkar mukul, baral kambar jiri wangkarburr nyulu wawubaja, yala yundu bubu binal wawubajabu, yundu wujurr binal yinyabu.

wujurr-ba kiway-kiway-mba dawar jana-y murrba yala jukar, wulbuman wuna-ny karrkay-karrkay-anji milbi-ny: dawar bada balba-ji-nya nyulu jilba-l bana-wungar-ji, dawar kulur karra-nga jana-y jana kuku-jangkar mukul, baral kambar jiri wangkar-burr nyulu wawubaja, yala yundu bubu binal wawubaja-bu, yundu wujurr binal yinya-bu | night-LOC cold-LOC star stand close-fitting like sand, old.woman lay children-COMIT taught: star low shine-ITR-SUB it walks wet.season-COMIT, star three string-LOC stand they story old, road pale sky middle-PERL it river, as you country know river-INST, you night know that-INST

balba-ji-y shine ITR (balbal tr attested); Milky-Way-as-river; potent COMIT -anji


In one cold season a boastful young man said, I sleep without a fire in the dark, and by the second dawn he was sitting close by the old woman's fire with the blanket around his ears, and she gave him warm food and said only one word: the cold and the young men have been arguing since before the first fire, and the cold has never once lost.

Bulur-iji nyubunba warru kuku-yalbay balkan, ngayu baya-kari wunay wujurrba, muduwaju jambulbu nyulu bundan wulbuman bayanga ngundu, nyulu bundan kararr-ji milkanga, wulbumanangka nyulu mayi wumbul dayan, kuku nyubun nganga balkan: kiway warru-warrunji balka-way baya ngadiku ngadikumuny, nyulu kariku nyubunbu bada-manin.

bulur-iji nyubun-ba warru kuku-yalbay balka-ny, ngayu baya-kari wuna-y wujurr-ba, muduwaju jambul-bu nyulu bunda-ny wulbuman baya-nga ngundu, nyulu bunda-ny kararr-ji milka-nga, wulbuman-angka nyulu mayi wumbul daya-ny, kuku nyubun nganga balka-ny: kiway warru-warru-nji balka-wa-y baya ngadiku ngadiku-muny, nyulu kariku nyubun-bu bada-mani-ny | cold.season one-LOC young.man boastful said, I fire-less sleep dark-LOC, dawn second-INST he sat old.woman fire-LOC close.by, he sat blanket-COMIT ear-LOC, old.woman-ERG him food warm gave, word one only said: cold young.men-COMIT argues fire first before-from, it never once lost

cold-vs-boast narrative; RECIP with potent COMIT participant; humor register


Shade is the tree's quiet giving, the old woman said at the high sun: it asks for no thanks, it moves slowly like a good person giving ground, and it holds a coolness that no single fire ever made, so when you eat at midday, thank the tree above you: do not dig at its roots, and leave its bark whole.

Wabarr nyulu daji-jirray wunbu jukumuny, wulbumanangka balkan wungar wangkara: nyulu kuku-yukil kari babajil, nyulu jilbal buban-buban yala bama yukil bubu dayanya, nyulu kiway karrbal baya nyubunbu kariku murnilmuny, yalada kaki yundu nukal wungar wangkara, juku wangkara yulmbarrika: bangkan nyungu kari baka, warrur nyungu bawa wubulku.

wabarr nyulu daji-jirray wunbu juku-muny, wulbuman-angka balka-ny wungar wangkar-a: nyulu kuku-yukil kari babaji-l, nyulu jilba-l buban-buban yala bama yukil bubu daya-nya, nyulu kiway karrba-l baya nyubun-bu kariku murni-l-muny, yala-da kaki yundu nuka-l wungar wangkar-a, juku wangkar-a yulmbarri-ka: bangkan nyungu kari baka, warrur nyungu bawa wubul-ku | shade it gift quiet tree-of, old.woman said sun high-LOC: it thanks NEG asks, it walks slowly like person good ground give-SUB, it coolness holds fire one-ERG never made-of, so if you eat sun high-LOC, tree overhead-LOC thank!: root its NEG dig!, bark its leave! whole

wabarr as giver; kiway 'coolness' nominal; care-for-the-tree prohibitives


The thunderstorms rise when the year turns hot and they grow stronger toward the wet, the old people say, and some things call them and some things turn them away, so the old man burned ironwood leaves when the sky stacked up black, and whether the storm heard the smoke or not, the camp stood quieter for the doing.

Jarramali wandil wangariji kadanya, nyulu junkurr-mal bana-wungarku, bama mukulungku balkal, yamba nyubunbu jana kunjal yamba yindubu jana murnil kala-kalbay, yalada mukulungku dingkarangka jujubala birra wajun jiri ngumbu-manya, jarramalibu kubu milka-janan yambada kari, bayan janan wunbu-baja murnilmuny.

jarramali wandi-l wangariji kada-nya, nyulu junkurr-ma-l bana-wungar-ku, bama mukul-ungku balka-l, yamba nyubun-bu jana kunja-l yamba yindu-bu jana murni-l kala-kalbay, yala-da mukul-ungku dingkar-angka jujubala birra waju-ny jiri ngumbu-ma-nya, jarramali-bu kubu milka-jana-ny yambada kari, bayan jana-ny wunbu-baja murni-ny-muny | thunderstorm rises hot.season come-SUB, it strong-becomes(INCHO) wet.season-DAT, people old-ERG say, thing one-ERG them calls thing other-ERG them turns far.away, so old man ironwood leaf burned sky black-become-SUB, storm-ERG smoke heard or not, camp stood quiet-DEG2 doing-of

grammar 711 storm-season + ironwood-burning practice; kubu smoke attested; jujubala 164


After the cyclone the country lay beaten down, and the young people cried at the sight of it, but the old woman walked through that country naming the living: this root will rise again, these many seeds were standing ready for exactly this, that hollow tree fed the fire but its own children stand all around it, so she said: the country is not broken, it is becoming-first again, and that work this country knows best of all.

Wadjalmuny bubu wunan bada yala kuninmuny, warru-warru badin nyajinya, yambada wulbuman jilban bubu-burr yinya, juran kunjanya: bangkan yala nyulu wandil baja, diburr wubulku janan yinyaka nganga, juku dimbirr yinya bayaka dungan yambada kangkal nyungu janay ngundu wubulku, yalada nyulu balkan: bubu nyulu kari dumbarrijin, nyulu ngadiku-mal baja, yinya murni bubu-bu binal yukil bajaku.

wadjal-muny bubu wuna-ny bada yala kuni-ny-muny, warru-warru badi-ny nyaji-nya, yambada wulbuman jilba-ny bubu-burr yinya, juran kunja-nya: bangkan yala nyulu wandi-l baja, diburr wubul-ku jana-ny yinya-ka nganga, juku dimbirr yinya baya-ka dunga-ny yambada kangkal nyungu jana-y ngundu wubul-ku, yala-da nyulu balka-ny: bubu nyulu kari dumbarri-ji-ny, nyulu ngadiku-ma-l baja, yinya murni bubu-bu binal yukil bajaku | cyclone-after country lay down like beaten-of, young.people cried see-SUB, but old.woman walked country-PERL that, living name-SUB: root this it rises again, seed many stood this-DAT exactly, tree hollow that fire-DAT went but own.child its stand close.by many, so she said: country it NEG broken(ITR), it first-becomes(INCHO) again, that work country-ERG knows well most

post-cyclone recovery; ngadiku-ma-l 'begin' transparent INCHO; PERL bubu-burr


The fog is a visitor that holds the camp still, the old man said: sounds walk far inside it but the eye dies at the third tree, so when the fog sits down, sit down too, mend your nets and tell the short stories, for the sun is already working on it from above, and impatience has drowned more people than every river.

Ngurrbal nyulu jilba-bama bayan wunbu-bungal, mukulungku dingkarangka balkan: kuku jilbal kala-kalbay dukurrba nyungu, yambada miyil wulay juku kulura, yalada kaki ngurrbal bundal, bunda baja, makarr murni kuku-jangkar buban balka, wungar nyulu murnil yinyaka wangkarmuny ngadiku, wawu-karrba-karibu bama wubul bana-manin, wubul-baja wawubajamuny nyubun-nyubunmuny.

ngurrbal nyulu jilba-bama bayan wunbu-bunga-l, mukul-ungku dingkar-angka balka-ny: kuku jilba-l kala-kalbay dukurr-ba nyungu, yambada miyil wula-y juku kulur-a, yala-da kaki ngurrbal bunda-l, bunda baja, makarr murni kuku-jangkar buban balka, wungar nyulu murni-l yinya-ka wangkar-muny ngadiku, wawu-karrba-kari-bu bama wubul bana-mani-ny, wubul-baja wawubaja-muny nyubun-nyubun-muny | fog it visitor camp quiet-CAUS, old man said: sound walks far inside-LOC its, but eye dies tree third-LOC, so if fog sits, sit! too, net mend! story short tell!, sun it works that-DAT above-from already, patience-less-ERG person many drowned(water-took), more river-from every-from

fog conduct; wawu-karrba-kari 'impatience' transparent PRIV; bana-mani drown


You can smell the rain before you see it, the old woman taught: the country breathes out like a person about to sweat, the ground's breath rises, the leaves show their pale backs, the birds fly low, so when the earth smell stands up and the leaves show white, bring in the food and strengthen the shelter, even while the open sky says otherwise.

Yundu kaba jila manil nyajinka ngadiku, wulbumanangka milbin: bubu wawu-dayal yala bama jila-warrinka ngadiku, bubu wawu wangkar dayal, birrabu muku kambar milbil, jarruka-jarruka bada warril, yalada kaki bubu-jila wandil birra kambar-milbil, mayi mana bayanka, bayan junkurr-bunga, jiri ngalkal yala balkanya baja.

yundu kaba jila mani-l nyaji-nka ngadiku, wulbuman-angka milbi-ny: bubu wawu-daya-l yala bama jila-warri-nka ngadiku, bubu wawu wangkar daya-l, birra-bu muku kambar milbi-l, jarruka-jarruka bada warri-l, yala-da kaki bubu-jila wandi-l birra kambar-milbi-l, mayi mana bayan-ka, bayan junkurr-bunga, jiri ngalkal yala balka-nya baja | you rain smell get see-PURP before, old.woman taught: country breath-gives like person sweat-PURP about, ground breath up gives, leaf-ERG back pale shows, birds low fly(run), so if earth-smell rises leaf pale-shows, food take! camp-DAT, shelter strengthen!, sky open so say-SUB even

petrichor + leaf-turn signs; jila smell 7088; PURP chains


Where does the wind sleep? the smallest one asked, and the whole camp went quiet for the answer, and the old woman said: in the stone shelters of the range, in the deep channel, in the sea's deep rooms, and some nights it sleeps in one thin tree, and you can hear it dreaming there, and that is why that tree is always whispering.

Wanja muyar wunay? buban bajaku babajin, bayan wubulku wunbu-man kukuka, wulbumanangka balkan: kulji-bayanba manjalmuny, bana-baral dukurrba, jalun bayanba dukurrba, wujurr nyubun-nyubunba nyulu wunay juku balanga nyubunba, yundu nyulu milka-janay bijarrilnya yinyanga, yinya wanyurrinku juku yinya yabarrka balkal buban.

wanja muyar wuna-y? buban bajaku babaji-ny, bayan wubul-ku wunbu-ma-ny kuku-ka, wulbuman-angka balka-ny: kulji-bayan-ba manjal-muny, bana-baral dukurr-ba, jalun bayan-ba dukurr-ba, wujurr nyubun-nyubun-ba nyulu wuna-y juku bala-nga nyubun-ba, yundu nyulu milka-jana-y bijarri-l-nya yinya-nga, yinya wanyurrinku juku yinya yabarrka balka-l buban | where wind sleeps? little.one very asked, camp whole quiet-became(INCHO) answer-DAT, old.woman said: stone-shelter-LOC range-of, channel deep-LOC, sea room-LOC deep-LOC, night some-LOC it sleeps tree thin-LOC one-LOC, you it hear dream-SUB there-LOC, that why tree that always speaks small

bijarri-l dream attested; where-question r.32; poetic register


Dry-time fire is easy and dangerous, wet-time fire is hard and precious, the old man folded the whole year into one small teaching at the fire-drill: in the dry, one left-behind spark owns the whole ridge by dusk, in the wet, one dry heart of a log is worth a fat fish, so the fire law turns with the seasons, but the fire respect stands unmoving all year.

Baya marralba nyulu kaka-kari yinil-ji baja, baya yaruba nyulu dandi yukil bajaku baja, mukulungku dingkarangka wungar-jina wubulku balkan buban: marralba baya-buban bawanmuny nyubunbu bubu wangkar manil miyil-wujurr-wujurrku, yaruba wawu marral nyubun jukumuny nyulu yala kuyu wandul-ji, yalada kuku bayamuny murnil wungar-jinanji, yambada baya-yulmbarril janay warri-kari wungar wubulku.

baya marral-ba nyulu kaka-kari yinil-ji baja, baya yaru-ba nyulu dandi yukil bajaku baja, mukul-ungku dingkar-angka wungar-jina wubul-ku balka-ny buban: marral-ba baya-buban bawa-ny-muny nyubun-bu bubu wangkar mani-l miyil-wujurr-wujurr-ku, yaru-ba wawu marral nyubun juku-muny nyulu yala kuyu wandul-ji, yala-da kuku baya-muny murni-l wungar-jina-nji, yambada baya-yulmbarri-l jana-y warri-kari wungar wubul-ku | fire dry-LOC it pain-less fear-COMIT too, fire wet-LOC it hard good most too, old man year whole said small: dry-LOC spark left-of one-ERG ground high takes dusk-DAT, wet-LOC heart dry one log-of it like fish fat-COMIT, so law fire-of turns season-COMIT, but fire-respect stands move-less year whole-DAT

marral-ba/yaru-ba season LOCs; wandul fat (vindicated 2127 watchlist token); 050.48 fire-law callback


At the big low tide of the cold season the whole camp walked out onto the reef country, the old woman remembered: the world doubled itself in the still water, everyone bent low over the stones, by the turn of the tide the bags had grown heavy, and the smallest child had learned ten new creatures, so the sea garden was the first school, and the tide called everybody home.

Ngajalba yalbayba bulur-ijimuny bayan wubulku jilban jalun-bubuku, wulbuman milka-binalku: bubu jambul-man bana wunbungu, bama wubulku bundan bada kuljika, yira murninya balji dandi-man, karrkay buban bajaku minya wubul jirakal binalman, yalada jalun-bubu nyulu school ngadiku, yirabu bama wubulku kunjan bayanka.

ngajal-ba yalbay-ba bulur-iji-muny bayan wubul-ku jilba-ny jalun-bubu-ku, wulbuman milka-binalku: bubu jambul-ma-ny bana wunbu-ngu, bama wubul-ku bunda-ny bada kulji-ka, yira murni-nya balji dandi-ma-ny, karrkay buban bajaku minya wubul jirakal binal-ma-ny, yala-da jalun-bubu nyulu school ngadiku, yira-bu bama wubul-ku kunja-ny bayan-ka | low.tide-LOC big-LOC cold.season-of camp whole walked sea-country-DAT, old.woman remembers: world two-became(INCHO) water still-LOC, people all bent low stone-DAT, tide turn-SUB bag heavy-became, child small very creature many new learned(INCHO), so sea-garden it school first, tide-ERG people all called home-DAT

reef harvest; loan school; yira-bu ERG 'the tide called'


The sea wind rises with the morning and lies down with the falling sun, the old man told the young men of the water: go out on the land's breath in the dark morning, come home on the sea's breath as the sun falls, and you will work half as much and live twice as long.

Muyar jalunmuny wandil muduwajuny, wunay wungar daraynya, mukulungku dingkarangka warru-warru banamuny milbin: dungay jalunka wawubu bubumuny wujurrba muduwajuny, kaday bayanka wawubu jalunmuny wungar daraynya, yundu murnil buban-baja, yundu juran kalbay-baja.

muyar jalun-muny wandi-l muduwajuny, wuna-y wungar daray-nya, mukul-ungku dingkar-angka warru-warru bana-muny milbi-ny: dunga-y jalun-ka wawu-bu bubu-muny wujurr-ba muduwajuny, kada-y bayan-ka wawu-bu jalun-muny wungar daray-nya, yundu murni-l buban-baja, yundu juran kalbay-baja | wind sea-from rises at-dawn, lies sun fall-SUB, old man young.men water-of taught: go! sea-DAT breath-INST land-of dark-LOC at-dawn, come! home-DAT breath-INST sea-of sun fall-SUB, you work little-DEG2, you alive long-DEG2

land/sea breeze cycle; wungar daray attested; DEG2 pair


Thunder is the sky speaking big, the old woman told the child who hid at the first crack: the shout is not the spear, the light walks first and the sound comes behind, so take slow breaths between them, and when the breaths become few, leave the tall tree, for the storm is walking closer.

Jabulbina nyulu jiri kuku yalbay balkanya, wulbumanangka karrkaynka ngakijinka balkan jabulbina ngadikumuny: yirrkay nyulu kari kalka, balbay jilbal ngadiku kuku badaku kaday, yalada wawu mana buban-buban jambulba, kaki wawu buban-mal, bawa juku kalbay, jarramali nyulu jilbal ngunduku.

jabulbina nyulu jiri kuku yalbay balka-nya, wulbuman-angka karrkay-nka ngakiji-ny-ka balka-ny jabulbina ngadiku-muny: yirrka-y nyulu kari kalka, balbay jilba-l ngadiku kuku bada-ku kada-y, yala-da wawu mana buban-buban jambul-ba, kaki wawu buban-ma-l, bawa juku kalbay, jarramali nyulu jilba-l ngundu-ku | thunder it sky word big say-SUB, old.woman child-DAT hidden-DAT said thunder first-after: shout it NEG spear, lightning walks first sound after-DAT comes, so breath take! slowly two-LOC, if breath few-becomes(INCHO), leave! tree tall, storm it walks closer-DAT

jabulbina thunder FIRST USE; lightning-first physics; storm-distance by breaths


A star coming down is a traveller changing camps, the old man said when the child cried out at one: the sky people move house too, nothing that carries a fire stays in one place forever, so show your hand to the traveller, then look at the fire of your own camp, for the night always teaches by showing.

Dawar bada kadanya nyulu jilba-bama bayan yindu-manilnya, mukulungku dingkarangka balkan, karrkay yirrkanya nyajinya: bama jirimuny bayan wundil baja, yamba baya-ji kariku janay bubu nyubunba yabarrka, yalada mara milbi jilba-bamanka, yalada nyaji baya bayanmuny, wujurrbu milbil yabarrka yalabu.

dawar bada kada-nya nyulu jilba-bama bayan yindu-ma-ni-l-nya, mukul-ungku dingkar-angka balka-ny, karrkay yirrka-nya nyaji-nya: bama jiri-muny bayan wundi-l baja, yamba baya-ji kariku jana-y bubu nyubun-ba yabarrka, yala-da mara milbi jilba-bama-nka, yala-da nyaji baya bayan-muny, wujurr-bu milbi-l yabarrka yala-bu | star down come-SUB it traveller camp change-CAUS-SUB, old man said, child shout-SUB see-SUB: people sky-of camp carry too, thing fire-COMIT never stands place one-LOC forever, so hand show! traveller-DAT, then see! fire camp-of, night-ERG teaches always example-INST

shooting star frame; yamba baya-ji 'fire-carrier'; night-as-teacher


On the cold mornings the river wears the fog like a blanket pulled up to the chin, the old woman said, and the birds talk inside it unseen, so the fishers sit and wait at the edge, for the sun will fold that blanket back before the food fires ask for them, and a fish caught in the clearing fog carries the smell of two seasons.

Muduwajuny kiway-kiwaymba wawubaja kararr-ji ngurrbal-ji yala bama kararr kulbal bariku, wulbumanangka balkan, jarruka-jarruka balkal dukurrba nyungu nyajil-kari, yalada kuyu-bama bundal janay ngundu, wungarbu kararr yinya murnil baja mayi-baya babajinyjiku, kuyu maninmuny ngurrbal dunganya nyulu jila-ji wungar-jina jambulmuny.

muduwajuny kiway-kiway-mba wawubaja kararr-ji ngurrbal-ji yala bama kararr kulba-l bari-ku, wulbuman-angka balka-ny, jarruka-jarruka balka-l dukurr-ba nyungu nyaji-l-kari, yala-da kuyu-bama bunda-l jana-y ngundu, wungar-bu kararr yinya murni-l baja mayi-baya babaji-nyjiku, kuyu mani-ny-muny ngurrbal dunga-nya nyulu jila-ji wungar-jina jambul-muny | at-dawn cold-LOC river blanket-COMIT fog-COMIT like person blanket pulls chin-DAT, old.woman said, birds talk inside-LOC its unseen, so fisher sits waits edge(close.by), sun-ERG blanket that turns back food-fire ask-SUCC, fish caught-of fog go-SUB it smell-COMIT season two-of

river-fog; bari chin; SUCC babaji-nyjiku; two-seasons taste image


We would have stayed dry, the old man laughed, squeezing the blanket, if anyone had believed the black wall over the sea instead of the clear sky over the camp, so hear the weather law of the two skies: the sky overhead tells you today, the sky at the sea tells you tomorrow, and it is tomorrow that ties up the camp.

Ngana marral wunanyaku, mukulungku dingkarangka yajarr-man, kararr jubilnya, kaki bamangka kuku-junkurr-manin ngurrban ngumbu jalunba, kari jiri ngalkal bayan wangkara, yalada milka-janay kuku jirimuny jambulmuny: jiri wangkara balkal nyiku, jiri jalunba balkal wunkuny, wunkunybu bayan kajal.

ngana marral wuna-nyaku, mukul-ungku dingkar-angka yajarr-ma-ny, kararr jubi-l-nya, kaki bama-ngka kuku-junkurr-mani-ny ngurrban ngumbu jalun-ba, kari jiri ngalkal bayan wangkar-a, yala-da milka-jana-y kuku jiri-muny jambul-muny: jiri wangkar-a balka-l nyiku, jiri jalun-ba balka-l wunkuny, wunkuny-bu bayan kaja-l | we dry stay-IRR, old man laughed(INCHO), blanket squeeze-SUB, if people-ERG believed cloud black sea-LOC, NEG sky clear camp high-LOC, so listen! law sky-of two-of: sky overhead-LOC tells today, sky sea-LOC tells tomorrow, tomorrow-ERG camp ties

IRR counterfactual; jubi-l squeeze true sense; two-skies forecasting law


The cold season is the fat season, the old woman taught the girls at the fire: the fish are slow and carry fat, the bandicoots come down to the soft grass, the honey sits heavy in the trees, so the old people called the cold time the quiet harvest, and a family that works the short cold days eats with singing through the long hot ones.

Bulur-iji nyulu wungar wandulmuny, wulbumanangka jalbu-buban milbin bayanga: kuyu buban-buban wandul-ji, kulngu kaday bada jikanka kimaka, wunba bundal dandi jukungu, yalada bama mukulungku kiway kunjan mayi-mani wunbu, jawun-karra nyulu murnil wungar kiway bubanba, nyulu nukal wulngku-ji wungar wumbul kalbayburr.

bulur-iji nyulu wungar wandul-muny, wulbuman-angka jalbu-buban milbi-ny baya-nga: kuyu buban-buban wandul-ji, kulngu kada-y bada jikan-ka kima-ka, wunba bunda-l dandi juku-ngu, yala-da bama mukul-ungku kiway kunja-ny mayi-mani wunbu, jawun-karra nyulu murni-l wungar kiway buban-ba, nyulu nuka-l wulngku-ji wungar wumbul kalbay-burr | cold.season it time fat-of, old.woman girls taught fire-LOC: fish slow fat-COMIT, bandicoot comes down grass-DAT soft-DAT, honey sits heavy tree-LOC, so people old-ERG cold called food-getting quiet, family it works day cold short-LOC, it eats song-COMIT day hot long-PERL

wandul fat vindicated; kiway nominal; seasonal economy; PERL kalbay-burr


In the hot season the afternoon sky builds its own country, the old man said: white mountains stand up where no mountains are, their feet turn black, and at dusk they either walk away along the range or come down on the camp as the storm, so the hot-time afternoon has two doors, and the sky tells you by its feet which one it will use.

Wangariji jiri wungar-daraymuny bubu nyungu-nyungu murnil, mukulungku dingkarangka balkan: manjal kambar janay wanja manjal-kari, jina jana ngumbu-mal, miyil-wujurr-wujurrba jana jilbal kala-kalbay manjalburr yambada jana kaday bayanka jarramali-mal, yalada wungar-daray wangarijimuny nyulu baral jambul-ji, jiribu yununy milbil jinabu wanjaku baral nyulu manil.

wangariji jiri wungar-daray-muny bubu nyungu-nyungu murni-l, mukul-ungku dingkar-angka balka-ny: manjal kambar jana-y wanja manjal-kari, jina jana ngumbu-ma-l, miyil-wujurr-wujurr-ba jana jilba-l kala-kalbay manjal-burr yambada jana kada-y bayan-ka jarramali-ma-l, yala-da wungar-daray wangariji-muny nyulu baral jambul-ji, jiri-bu yununy milbi-l jina-bu wanjaku baral nyulu mani-l | hot.season sky afternoon-of country its-own builds, old man said: mountain white stand where mountain-less, foot their black-becomes(INCHO), dusk-LOC they walk away range-PERL or they come camp-DAT storm-become(INCHO), so afternoon hot.season-of it road two-COMIT, sky-ERG you shows foot-INST which road it takes

cumulus build-up; INCHO chain; wanjaku which r.32


The cold nights are the clear nights, the old woman said: the wet sky is a crowded camp, many clouds standing close, but the cold sky has been swept clean, every star at its own fire, so the old people taught the star stories in the cold season, when the whole sky stands open and the small biting creatures have gone home.

Wujurr kiway-kiway nyulu wujurr ngalkal, wulbumanangka balkan: jiri yarumuny nyulu bayan bama-jakal, ngurrban wubul murrba janay, yambada jiri kiway-kiwaymuny nyulu julurrinmuny, dawar nyubun-nyubun bayanga nyungu-nyungunga, yalada bama mukulungku kuku-jangkar dawarmuny milbin bulur-iji, jiri wubulku janay ngalkal, minya bakal-bama buban dungan bayanka.

wujurr kiway-kiway nyulu wujurr ngalkal, wulbuman-angka balka-ny: jiri yaru-muny nyulu bayan bama-jakal, ngurrban wubul murrba jana-y, yambada jiri kiway-kiway-muny nyulu julurri-ny-muny, dawar nyubun-nyubun baya-nga nyungu-nyungu-nga, yala-da bama mukul-ungku kuku-jangkar dawar-muny milbi-ny bulur-iji, jiri wubul-ku jana-y ngalkal, minya bakal-bama buban dunga-ny bayan-ka | night cold it night clear(open), old.woman said: sky wet-of it camp person-full, cloud many close-fitting stand, but sky cold-of it washed-of, star each fire-LOC own-LOC, so people old-ERG story star-of taught cold.season, sky whole stands open, creature piercer small gone home-DAT

cold-sky clarity; star-at-its-own-fire image; mosquito circumlocution from 050.11


When the first thunder of the year speaks, put the cold-season work down and look over your tools, the old man taught: the wet is walking up from the sea, see what must be finished before the rivers close the roads — wood to the camp, shelters tight, meat with smoke — for the first thunder is not a warning, it is a word for working.

Kaki jabulbina ngadiku wungarmuny balkal, murni kiwaymuny yijarrika bada, yamba-murni nyungu nyaji, mukulungku dingkarangka milbin: bana-wungar jilbal wangkar jalunmuny, nyaji wanyu kunbay-manilka wawubajabu baral nandanyjiku: juku bayanka, bayan murrba, minya kubu-ji, jabulbina ngadiku nyulu kari kuku-yinil, nyulu kuku murninka.

kaki jabulbina ngadiku wungar-muny balka-l, murni kiway-muny yijarri-ka bada, yamba-murni nyungu nyaji, mukul-ungku dingkar-angka milbi-ny: bana-wungar jilba-l wangkar jalun-muny, nyaji wanyu kunba-y-mani-nka wawubaja-bu baral nanda-nyjiku: juku bayan-ka, bayan murrba, minya kubu-ji, jabulbina ngadiku nyulu kari kuku-yinil, nyulu kuku murni-nka | if thunder first year-of speaks, work cold.season-of put! down, tool your see!, old man taught: wet.season walks up sea-from, see! what finish-DAT river-ERG road close-SUCC: wood camp-DAT, shelter tight, meat smoke-COMIT, thunder first it NEG warning-word, it word work-PURP

first-thunder as work-list; SUCC on nanda-l; kubu smoke


In the hard dry the last waterholes carry the whole country's life, the old man said, so the law at the small water is short and old: take what you need, camp far from the edge, keep the dogs tied, for every creature from the smallest to the biggest drinks at that one door, and a fouled waterhole is a speared country.

Marralba dandiba bana-bayan bada bajaku wundil wawu bubumuny wubulku, mukulungku dingkarangka balkan, yalada kuku bana bubanba nyulu buban mukul baja: mana wanyu yundu wawu-manil nganga, bayan bunga kala-kalbay banamuny, kaya kaja karrbal, minya bubanmuny minya yalbayku jana wubulku nukal baral nyubunba yinyaba, bana mumbu-manin nyulu bubu kalkabu bakanmuny.

marral-ba dandi-ba bana-bayan bada bajaku wundi-l wawu bubu-muny wubul-ku, mukul-ungku dingkar-angka balka-ny, yala-da kuku bana buban-ba nyulu buban mukul baja: mana wanyu yundu wawu-ma-ni-l nganga, bayan bunga kala-kalbay bana-muny, kaya kaja karrba-l, minya buban-muny minya yalbay-ku jana wubul-ku nuka-l baral nyubun-ba yinya-ba, bana mumbu-mani-ny nyulu bubu kalka-bu baka-ny-muny | dry-LOC hard-LOC waterhole last very carries life country-of whole, old man said, so law water small-LOC it short old too, take! what you need only, camp build! far water-from, dog tie! hold, creature small-from creature big-DAT they all drink road one-LOC that-LOC, water fouled-of it country spear-INST pierced-of

drought waterhole law; bana-bayan waterhole transparent; speared-country closing


How many seasons does the year hold? a child asked, and the old woman spread her fingers: the white people count two, the old people name them by how the country works — the hot time, the storm time, the wet, the drying time, the cold dew time — so the year has as many rooms as you have learned to see, and each one keeps its own food and its own work.

Wanjarrinya wungar-jina wungarbu karrbal? karrkay babajin, wulbumanangka birri milbin: waybalangka jambul kunjal, bama mukulungku kunjal yala bubu murnil: wangariji, jarramali-wungar, bana-wungar, wungar marral-manya, bulur-iji, yalada wungar nyulu bayan-ji wubul-ji yala yundu binalman nyajinka, nyubun-nyubunbu mayi nyungu-nyungu murni nyungu-nyungu karrbal.

wanjarrinya wungar-jina wungar-bu karrba-l? karrkay babaji-ny, wulbuman-angka birri milbi-ny: waybala-ngka jambul kunja-l, bama mukul-ungku kunja-l yala bubu murni-l: wangariji, jarramali-wungar, bana-wungar, wungar marral-ma-nya, bulur-iji, yala-da wungar nyulu bayan-ji wubul-ji yala yundu binal-ma-ny nyaji-nka, nyubun-nyubun-bu mayi nyungu-nyungu murni nyungu-nyungu karrba-l | how.many seasons year-ERG holds? child asked, old.woman finger showed: white.people-ERG two count(call), people old-ERG name as country works: hot.season, storm-season, wet.season, time dry-become-SUB, cold.dew.season, so year it room-COMIT many-COMIT as you learned see-DAT, each-ERG food own work own holds

season taxonomy row — the five-season frame vs the two-season count; contrastive waybala


In the deep wet the camp turns inward like a closed hand, the old woman said: the rivers own the country, the paths have become water, so the wet is the making season — string, nets, spear-points, songs — and the person who can sit busy in the rain walks out rich when the sun returns.

Bana-wungara dukurrba bayan murnil dukurrku yala mara nandanmuny, wulbumanangka balkan: wawubajabu bubu karrbal, baral bana-mal, yalada bana-wungar nyulu murni-wungar: karra, makarr, kalka-murru, wulngku, bama nyulu bundal murni-ji kabanga nyulu jilbal ngalkalku yamba-ji wubul-ji wungar kadanya baja.

bana-wungar-a dukurr-ba bayan murni-l dukurr-ku yala mara nanda-ny-muny, wulbuman-angka balka-ny: wawubaja-bu bubu karrba-l, baral bana-ma-l, yala-da bana-wungar nyulu murni-wungar: karra, makarr, kalka-murru, wulngku, bama nyulu bunda-l murni-ji kaba-nga nyulu jilba-l ngalkal-ku yamba-ji wubul-ji wungar kada-nya baja | wet.season-LOC deep-LOC camp turns inside-DAT like hand closed-of, old.woman said: river-ERG country holds, path water-becomes(INCHO), so wet.season it making-season: string, net, spear-point, song, person he sits work-COMIT rain-LOC he walks open-DAT thing-COMIT many-COMIT sun come-SUB back

wet-season craft economy; kaba-nga in-the-rain LOC; closed-hand simile


The sky-things are different on the two sides of the range, the old man taught the traveller: the sea side drinks the clouds first and stands green and strong, the inland side takes what is left and stands in golden grass, so never promise tomorrow's sky from yesterday's country — ask the people of that country.

Jiri-yamba nyulu yindu-yindu manjalmuny jambulba, mukulungku dingkarangka jilba-bama milbin: bubu jalunmuny ngurrban nukal ngadiku, nyulu jikan-ji junkurr-ji janay, bubu dukurrmuny manil yamba bawanmuny, nyulu jikan makirr-ji janay, yalada kari balka jiri-yamba wunkunymuny bubumuny yindumuny, babaji bamanda yinya bubumuny.

jiri-yamba nyulu yindu-yindu manjal-muny jambul-ba, mukul-ungku dingkar-angka jilba-bama milbi-ny: bubu jalun-muny ngurrban nuka-l ngadiku, nyulu jikan-ji junkurr-ji jana-y, bubu dukurr-muny mani-l yamba bawa-ny-muny, nyulu jikan makirr-ji jana-y, yala-da kari balka jiri-yamba wunkuny-muny bubu-muny yindu-muny, babaji bama-nda yinya bubu-muny | sky-thing it different range-of two-LOC, old man traveller taught: country sea-of cloud drinks first, it grass-COMIT strength-COMIT stands, country inland-of takes thing left-of, it grass yellow-COMIT stands, so NEG promise! sky-thing tomorrow-of country-from other-from, ask! people-LOC that country-of

rain-shadow contrast; makirr golden grass; addressee LOC bama-nda


While the moon was hiding, the old man took the boys night-fishing with firesticks, and the fish came to the light like children to a story, and he said as they walked home heavy: the moon keeps the fish wary, when she is away they believe every small fire, so the dark nights belong to the firestick and the moon nights to the net.

Kija ngakijinya mukulungku dingkarangka buban-buban wundin kuyuka wujurrba baya-juku-ji, kuyu kadan bayaka yala karrkay kuku-jangkarka, nyulu balkan, jana jilbanya bayanka dandi: kijabu kuyu miyil-ji karrbal, kaki nyulu dungay, kuyubu kuku-junkurr-manil baya buban nyubun-nyubun, yalada wujurr ngumbu nyulu baya-jukumuny, wujurr kija-ji nyulu makarrmuny.

kija ngakiji-nya mukul-ungku dingkar-angka buban-buban wundi-ny kuyu-ka wujurr-ba baya-juku-ji, kuyu kada-ny baya-ka yala karrkay kuku-jangkar-ka, nyulu balka-ny, jana jilba-nya bayan-ka dandi: kija-bu kuyu miyil-ji karrba-l, kaki nyulu dunga-y, kuyu-bu kuku-junkurr-mani-l baya buban nyubun-nyubun, yala-da wujurr ngumbu nyulu baya-juku-muny, wujurr kija-ji nyulu makarr-muny | moon hide-SUB old man boys took fish-DAT night-LOC firestick-COMIT, fish came light-DAT like child story-DAT, he said, they walk-SUB home-DAT heavy: moon-ERG fish eye-COMIT keeps, if she goes, fish-ERG believes fire small every, so night black it firestick-of, night moon-COMIT it net-of

kija moon correct sense (guard-satisfying gloss); night-fishing practice; 050.41 firestick callback


The creatures hear the sky-things before the people do, the old woman said: the birds fall quiet before the big wind, the frogs sing the rain in before it lands, the shark goes deep before the storm, so when the bush changes its voice, believe it — the country's ears are older than ours.

Minyabu jiri-yamba milka-janay bama ngadiku, wulbumanangka balkan: jarruka-jarruka wunbu-mal muyar yalbay ngadiku, yuday wulngku badi kaba kadanka ngadiku, yaburr dungay dukurrku jarramali ngadiku, yalada kaki majaji kuku nyungu yindu-bungal, kuku-junkurr-mana nyulu, milka bubumuny nyulu mukul-baja milkamuny nganamuny.

minya-bu jiri-yamba milka-jana-y bama ngadiku, wulbuman-angka balka-ny: jarruka-jarruka wunbu-ma-l muyar yalbay ngadiku, yuday wulngku badi-y kaba kada-nka ngadiku, yaburr dunga-y dukurr-ku jarramali ngadiku, yala-da kaki majaji kuku nyungu yindu-bunga-l, kuku-junkurr-mana nyulu, milka bubu-muny nyulu mukul-baja milka-muny ngana-muny | creature-ERG sky-thing hears person before, old.woman said: birds quiet-become(INCHO) wind big before, frog song sings rain come-PURP before, shark goes deep-DAT storm before, so if scrub voice its changes-CAUS, believe! it, ear country-of it old-DEG2 ear-from our-from

animal forecasting; yaburr shark anchor; wulngku badi sing collocation


The right fire at the right time is a country-worker, the old man said on the burning day: the cool-season fire walks slow and low, eats the old rank grass, leaves the seed and the beetle, and calls up the green grass that brings the game, so the old people burned with the seasons, not with the temper, and the country paid them back in fat seasons.

Baya yukil wungara yukilba nyulu bubu-murni-bama, mukulungku dingkarangka balkan wungar wajunmuny: baya bulur-ijimuny jilbal buban-buban bada, jikan mukul nukal, diburr ngirran baja bawal, jikan jirakal kunjal minya kadanka, yalada bama mukulungku wajun wungar-jinanji, kari kulinji, bububu jana dayan baja wungar wandul-jibu.

baya yukil wungar-a yukil-ba nyulu bubu-murni-bama, mukul-ungku dingkar-angka balka-ny wungar waju-ny-muny: baya bulur-iji-muny jilba-l buban-buban bada, jikan mukul nuka-l, diburr ngirran baja bawa-l, jikan jirakal kunja-l minya kada-nka, yala-da bama mukul-ungku waju-ny wungar-jina-nji, kari kuli-nji, bubu-bu jana daya-ny baja wungar wandul-ji-bu | fire right time-LOC right-LOC it country-work-person, old man said day burning-of: fire cool.season-of walks slowly low, grass old eats, seed beetle too leaves, grass green calls game come-PURP, so people old-ERG burned season-COMIT, NEG anger-COMIT, country-ERG them paid back season fat-COMIT-INST

cool-burn practice (technical); ngirran beetle; COMIT contrast wungar-jina-nji vs kuli-nji


Why do the old people talk about the sky-things so much? the young man teased, and the old woman did not laugh: because the weather is the country talking about food, water, travel and shelter all at once, so weather talk is not small talk, it is the country's oldest message-stick, and you pay for it only with the ear.

Wanyurrinku bama mukulungku jiri-yambaka balkal wubulku bajaku? warrubu yajarr-ji babajin, wulbuman kari yajarr-man: jiri-yamba nyulu bubu balkanya mayika banaka jilbanka bayanka nyubunji, yalada kuku jiri-yambamuny nyulu kari kuku buban, nyulu kuku-juku mukul bajaku bubumuny, yundu dayal milka nganga.

wanyurrinku bama mukul-ungku jiri-yamba-ka balka-l wubul-ku bajaku? warru-bu yajarr-ji babaji-ny, wulbuman kari yajarr-ma-ny: jiri-yamba nyulu bubu balka-nya mayi-ka bana-ka jilba-nka bayan-ka nyubun-ji, yala-da kuku jiri-yamba-muny nyulu kari kuku buban, nyulu kuku-juku mukul bajaku bubu-muny, yundu daya-l milka nganga | why people old-ERG sky-thing-DAT talk many very? young.man-ERG tease-COMIT asked, old.woman NEG laughed(INCHO): sky-thing it country talk-SUB food-DAT water-DAT travel-PURP shelter-DAT together, so talk weather-of it NEG talk small, it word-stick old most country-of, you pay ear only

meta row: weather-talk as information system; kuku-juku word-stick callback to 051.13


At the end the old woman turned the whole year once in her two hands like a grinding stone: the hot builds the storms, the storms uncover the wet, the wet fills the country, the drying turns the grass to seed, the cold washes the sky and fattens the fish, and then the hot stands up again, so the year is a round song, she said, and a person who knows all its verses is never lost in time, any more than a singer is lost inside a song.

Badanga wulbumanangka wungar-jina wubulku murnin nyubunbu marabu jambulbu yala kulji-yurril: wangariji jarramali bungal, jarramalibu bana-wungar warmba-bungal, bana-wungarbu bubu jakal-bungal, wungar marral-manya jikan diburr-mal, bulur-ijibu jiri julurril kuyu wandul-bungal, yalada wangariji janay baja, yalada wungar-jina nyulu wulngku murru, nyulu balkan, bama nyulu wulngku-yamba wubulku binal nyulu kari bada-manin wungara, yala wulngku-bama kari bada-manin wulngkungu.

bada-nga wulbuman-angka wungar-jina wubul-ku murni-ny nyubun-bu mara-bu jambul-bu yala kulji-yurri-l: wangariji jarramali bunga-l, jarramali-bu bana-wungar warmba-bunga-l, bana-wungar-bu bubu jakal-bunga-l, wungar marral-ma-nya jikan diburr-ma-l, bulur-iji-bu jiri julurri-l kuyu wandul-bunga-l, yala-da wangariji jana-y baja, yala-da wungar-jina nyulu wulngku murru, nyulu balka-ny, bama nyulu wulngku-yamba wubul-ku binal nyulu kari bada-mani-ny wungar-a, yala wulngku-bama kari bada-mani-ny wulngku-ngu | end-LOC old.woman-ERG year whole turned once hand-INST two-INST like grinding-stone: hot.season storm builds, storm-ERG wet.season uncovers, wet.season-ERG country fills, time dry-become-SUB grass seed-becomes(INCHO), cold.season-ERG sky washes fish fat-CAUS, then hot.season stands again, so year it song round, she said, person he song-part all knows he never lost time-LOC, as song-person never lost song-LOC

capstone year-wheel; full season-chain CAUS/INCHO cascade; round-song image


They came in from the hunt at sunset, they washed the fish, they cooked, and then they ate — the old man said the little story again and again, for that one sentence carries the shape of a whole good day: work first, then fire, then food, and the word then is a quiet law that holds the string.

Jana kadan balbilmuny wungar-daraynya, jana kuyu julurrin, wajun, nukanda, mukulungku dingkarangka kuku-jangkar buban balkan baja baja, kuku nyubun yinyabu wundil jina wubulku wungar yukilmuny: murni ngadiku, yalada baya, yalada mayi, kuku 'yalada' nyulu kuku wunbu, nyulu karra karrbal.

jana kada-ny balbi-l-muny wungar-daray-nya, jana kuyu julurri-ny, waju-ny, nuka-n-da, mukul-ungku dingkar-angka kuku-jangkar buban balka-ny baja baja, kuku nyubun yinya-bu wundi-l jina wubul-ku wungar yukil-muny: murni ngadiku, yala-da baya, yala-da mayi, kuku 'yalada' nyulu kuku wunbu, nyulu karra karrba-l | they came hunt-from sunset-SUB, they fish washed, cooked, ate-THEN(TEMP1), old man story little said again again, sentence one that-ERG carries track whole day good-of: work first, then fire, then food, word then it law quiet, it string holds

canonical TEMP1 chain — direct [A 510] echo


He caught a fish first of all, then he speared a turtle — the old man made the boys say the old sentence again and again until the little word first sat easily in their mouths, for the order of the work is half the work, and the one who does the small sure thing first walks into the big risky thing with a full bag already on his back.

Nyulu kuyu-ngurr manin, ngawuya damanda, mukulungku dingkarangka buban-buban balka-bungan kuku mukul baja baja, kuku buban 'ngurr' bundanya yukil ngandalba janamuny, murni-jina nyulu murni jambulmuny nyubun, bama nyulu yamba buban dandi ngadiku murnil nyulu dungay yamba yalbayka yinil-jika balji jakal-ji mukungu.

nyulu kuyu-ngurr mani-ny, ngawuya dama-n-da, mukul-ungku dingkar-angka buban-buban balka-bunga-ny kuku mukul baja baja, kuku buban 'ngurr' bunda-nya yukil ngandal-ba jana-muny, murni-jina nyulu murni jambul-muny nyubun, bama nyulu yamba buban dandi ngadiku murni-l nyulu dunga-y yamba yalbay-ka yinil-ji-ka balji jakal-ji muku-ngu | he fish-FIRST(TEMP3) caught, turtle speared-THEN, old man boys say-CAUS sentence old again again, word little ngurr sit-SUB easy mouth-LOC their-of, work-order it work two-of one(half), person he thing small sure first does he goes thing big-DAT risky-DAT bag full-COMIT back-LOC


After that they rested, after the food they told stories, after the stories the fire burned low and the camp slept — the old woman strung the evening on the little word after like mussels on one string, and she said: the day has an order the way a song has one, and nobody ever sings the last verse first of all.

Wawu-yinya-muny jana mara-kunban, wawu-mayi-muny jana kuku-jangkar balkan, wawu-kuku-jangkar-muny baya buban wajun bayan wunan, wulbumanangka wujurr kajan kukungu buban 'wawu' yala mukirr karranga nyubunba, nyulu balkan: wungar nyulu jina-ji yala wulngku, bama nyubunbu wulngku-yamba bada-ngurr kariku badi.

wawu-yinya-muny jana mara-kunba-ny, wawu-mayi-muny jana kuku-jangkar balka-ny, wawu-kuku-jangkar-muny baya buban waju-ny bayan wuna-ny, wulbuman-angka wujurr kaja-ny kuku-ngu buban 'wawu' yala mukirr karra-nga nyubun-ba, nyulu balka-ny: wungar nyulu jina-ji yala wulngku, bama nyubun-bu wulngku-yamba bada-ngurr kariku badi-y | after-that-TEMP4 they rested, after-food they story told, after-story fire small burned camp slept, old.woman-ERG evening tied word-LOC little wawu like mussel string-LOC one-LOC, she said: day it order-COMIT like song, person one-ERG verse last-FIRST never sings

TEMP4 wawu-+ABL x3 + TEMP3 closing; kuku-ngu u-LOC (pre-bank catch)


Give it here first! wash your hands first! drink water first before you talk! — the sharp little rr rides at the end of the telling word when the order matters, the old woman taught the girls, so listen for it: when you hear daya-rr and julurri-ka-rr, the speaker is not just asking, they are setting the world on its right road.

Daya-rr! julurri-ka-rr mara! bana-ngurr nuka balkanka ngadiku! kuku buban 'rr' bundal kuku badaba murni-jina yalbaynya, wulbumanangka jalbu-buban milbin, yalada milka-janay yinyaka: kaki yundu milka-janay 'daya-rr' 'julurri-ka-rr', balkal-bama nyulu kari nganga babajil, nyulu bubu yijarril baralba yukilba.

daya-rr! julurri-ka-rr mara! bana-ngurr nuka balka-nka ngadiku! kuku buban rr bunda-l kuku bada-ba murni-jina yalbay-nya, wulbuman-angka jalbu-buban milbi-ny, yala-da milka-jana-y yinya-ka: kaki yundu milka-jana-y daya-rr julurri-ka-rr, balka-l-bama nyulu kari nganga babaji-l, nyulu bubu yijarri-l baral-ba yukil-ba | give-FIRST! wash-IMP-FIRST hand! water-FIRST drink! talk-PURP before! word little rr sits word end-LOC work-order big-SUB, old.woman girls taught, so listen! that-DAT: if you hear daya-rr julurri-ka-rr, speaker he NEG just asks, he world puts road-LOC right-LOC

metalinguistic -rr row — direct cheatsheet 513 echoes


The old woman's morning has run in one order for many wet seasons: stir the fire first of all, put the water on, wake the children while it warms, wash the small faces, then eat, and then the day may do whatever it wants, for the person who holds the first hour is never wholly held by the left-over day.

Wulbuman muduwaju nyungu warrin jina nyubunburr bana-wungar wubulku bajaku: baya-ngurr murni, bana yijarrika bayanga, karrkay wandi-bunga bana wumbul-manya, walu buban julurrika, yalada nuka, yalada wungar murnil wanyu nyulu wawu-manil, bama nyulu wungar-buban ngadiku karrbal, wungar bawanmunybu nyulu kariku wubulku karrbal.

wulbuman muduwaju nyungu warri-ny jina nyubun-burr bana-wungar wubul-ku bajaku: baya-ngurr murni, bana yijarri-ka baya-nga, karrkay wandi-bunga bana wumbul-ma-nya, walu buban julurri-ka, yala-da nuka, yala-da wungar murni-l wanyu nyulu wawu-ma-ni-l, bama nyulu wungar-buban ngadiku karrba-l, wungar bawa-ny-muny-bu nyulu kariku wubul-ku karrba-l | old.woman morning her ran track one-PERL wet.season many very: fire-FIRST stir!, water put! fire-LOC, children wake-CAUS water warm-become-SUB, face little wash!, then eat!, then day does what it wants, person he hour-first first holds, day left-of-ERG him never wholly holds

routine TEMP ladder; zero-IMP wandi-bunga (CAUS)


The water kept coming and kept coming, the old woman said of the flood year, and the people kept moving up, and the children kept crying until the old man sang, and he sang on and on until they went quiet, for a hard thing is only ever taken by a harder one.

Bana kankaday kankaday, wulbumanangka balkan bana-yalbaymuny, bama jilbal wangkar jilbal wangkar, karrkay-karrkay banbadi yalada mukulungku dingkarangka wulngku badin, nyulu badin yabarrka jana wunbu-manya, yamba dandi nyulu maninmuny yamba dandi-bajabu nganga.

bana kankada-y kankada-y, wulbuman-angka balka-ny bana-yalbay-muny, bama jilba-l wangkar jilba-l wangkar, karrkay-karrkay banbadi-y yala-da mukul-ungku dingkar-angka wulngku badi-ny, nyulu badi-ny yabarrka jana wunbu-ma-nya, yamba dandi nyulu mani-ny-muny yamba dandi-baja-bu nganga | water keep.coming keep.coming, old.woman said flood-of, people walked up walked up, children keep.crying then old man song sang, he sang always they quiet-become-SUB, thing hard it taken-of thing hard-DEG2-ERG only

continuative redups (fixed set 2.5.3); y-deletion banbadi


The evening walks the morning's road backwards, the old man showed the boys: the tools come home first of all, then the food to the fire, then the small ones to the blankets, then the stories, and the coals are covered then-and-only-then, when every other thing already sleeps, for the day is folded from its end to its top, not from its beginning.

Wujurr jilbal baral muduwajumuny muku-jinabu, mukulungku dingkarangka buban-buban milbin: yamba-murni-ngurr kaday bayanka, yalada mayi bayaka, yalada karrkay-buban kararrka, yalada kuku-jangkar, ngunjil nandanda yamba yindu wubulku wunanya, wungar nyulu murninmuny badamuny wangkarku, kari ngadikumuny.

wujurr jilba-l baral muduwaju-muny muku-jina-bu, mukul-ungku dingkar-angka buban-buban milbi-ny: yamba-murni-ngurr kada-y bayan-ka, yala-da mayi baya-ka, yala-da karrkay-buban kararr-ka, yala-da kuku-jangkar, ngunjil nanda-n-da yamba yindu wubul-ku wuna-nya, wungar nyulu murni-ny-muny bada-muny wangkar-ku, kari ngadiku-muny | evening walks road morning-of back-track-INST, old man boys taught: tool-FIRST comes home-DAT, then food fire-DAT, then little.ones blanket-DAT, then story, coals covered-THEN thing other all sleep-SUB, day it folded-of end-from top-DAT, NEG beginning-from

reverse chain; TEMP1 nanda-n-da; TEMP3 on tools


Fish keep no patience, the old woman drove the girls through the order at a run: guts out first of all while they still shine, wash them, then to the smoke or to the coals before the sun stands high, for the catch is a message-stick that goes bad in the reading, and the fast hands eat sweet while the slow hands eat sorrow.

Kuyu wawu-karrba-kari, wulbumanangka jalbu-buban warri-bungan murni-jinaburr: julbi-ngurr mana jilu-jilunya jana, julurrika, yalada kubuku yambada ngunjilku wungar wangkar jananyjiku, kuyu maninmuny nyulu kuku-juku nyulu mumbu-mal nyajinya, mara warribu nukal jiba-wulay, mara buban-bubanbu nukal wawu-mumbu.

kuyu wawu-karrba-kari, wulbuman-angka jalbu-buban warri-bunga-ny murni-jina-burr: julbi-ngurr mana jilu-jilu-nya jana, julurri-ka, yala-da kubu-ku yambada ngunjil-ku wungar wangkar jana-nyjiku, kuyu mani-ny-muny nyulu kuku-juku nyulu mumbu-ma-l nyaji-nya, mara warri-bu nuka-l jiba-wulay, mara buban-buban-bu nuka-l wawu-mumbu | fish patience-less, old.woman girls run-CAUS work-order-PERL: guts-FIRST take! shine-SUB they, wash!, then smoke-DAT or coals-DAT sun high stand-SUCC, fish caught-of it word-stick it bad-becomes(INCHO) read-SUB, hand fast-ERG eats sweet, hand slow-ERG eats sorrow

processing chain TEMP3+SUCC; suppletive mana


String-making has its own hard line, the old woman reminded the girls at the fire: bark first of all, then into the water, then split, then roll on the thigh, then tie the two into one, and a girl who rolls before she splits makes a rope that remembers her hurry every single time it breaks.

Karra-murni nyulu jina dandi nyungu-nyungu-ji, wulbumanangka jalbu-buban milbin bayanga: warrur-ngurr, yalada bananga yijarrika, yalada dumbarrika, yalada murni wabanga, yalada jambul kaja nyubunku, jalbu-buban nyulu murnil dumbarrinka ngadiku, karrabu nyungu warri-warri milka-binalku dumbarrijinya nyubun-nyubunbu.

karra-murni nyulu jina dandi nyungu-nyungu-ji, wulbuman-angka jalbu-buban milbi-ny baya-nga: warrur-ngurr, yala-da bana-nga yijarri-ka, yala-da dumbarri-ka, yala-da murni waba-nga, yala-da jambul kaja nyubun-ku, jalbu-buban nyulu murni-l dumbarri-nka ngadiku, karra-bu nyungu warri-warri milka-binalku dumbarri-ji-nya nyubun-nyubun-bu | string-work it track hard own-COMIT, old.woman girls taught fire-LOC: bark-FIRST, then water-LOC put!, then split!, then roll! thigh-LOC, then two tie! one-DAT, girl she rolls split-DAT before, rope-ERG her hurry remembers break-ITR-SUB every-INST

craft TEMP ladder (049.38 heir); rope-remembers-hurry


Why does the order matter, if all the work gets done? the clever boy pushed back with words, and the old woman gave him the fish that had stood unwashed all through the cooking of the food, and after one mouthful he said quietly: teach me the order — and the camp laughed for three days.

Wanyurrinku murni-jina yalbay, kaki murni wubulku kunbay-manil? buban miyil-ji jurrngan kukubu, wulbumanangka nyulu kuyu dayan julurril-kari janaynmuny mayi wajunya, wawu-nyubun-muny nyulu balkan wunbu: milbi ngaykunka murni-jina, bayan yajarr-man wungar kulurku.

wanyurrinku murni-jina yalbay, kaki murni wubul-ku kunba-y-mani-l? buban miyil-ji jurrnga-ny kuku-bu, wulbuman-angka nyulu kuyu daya-ny julurri-l-kari jana-y-ny-muny mayi waju-nya, wawu-nyubun-muny nyulu balka-ny wunbu: milbi ngayku-nka murni-jina, bayan yajarr-ma-ny wungar kulur-ku | why work-order big, if work all finishes? boy eye-COMIT pushed word-INST, old.woman-ERG him fish gave washed-less stood-of food cook-SUB, after-one-TEMP4 he said quiet: teach! me-DAT work-order, camp laughed(INCHO) day three-DAT

Socratic order lesson; TEMP4 novel-but-regular 'after one'


The black bean walks the longest road of any food, the old woman counted it out beside the fire: gather first of all, then crack, then into the water for many days, then grind, then wash in the running water, then cook, and only then eat — many gates, she said, and the impatient walk through one less of them, exactly once.

Baway jilbal baral kalbay bajaku mayimuny wubulkumuny, wulbumanangka yinya milbin baya ngundu: mana-ngurr, yalada dumbarrika, yalada bananga yijarrika wungar wubulku, yalada yurrika, yalada julurrika bana warrinya, yalada wajuka, yalada nganga nuka, baral-ngandal wubul, nyulu balkan, bama wawu-karrba-kari jilbal nyubun-kari nganga, nyubunbu nganga.

baway jilba-l baral kalbay bajaku mayi-muny wubul-ku-muny, wulbuman-angka yinya milbi-ny baya ngundu: mana-ngurr, yala-da dumbarri-ka, yala-da bana-nga yijarri-ka wungar wubul-ku, yala-da yurri-ka, yala-da julurri-ka bana warri-nya, yala-da waju-ka, yala-da nganga nuka, baral-ngandal wubul, nyulu balka-ny, bama wawu-karrba-kari jilba-l nyubun-kari nganga, nyubun-bu nganga | black.bean walks road long most food-from all-from, old.woman that counted fire close.by: get-FIRST!, then crack!, then water-LOC put! day many-DAT, then grind!, then wash! water run-SUB, then cook!, then only eat!, road-mouth many, she said, impatient walks one-less only, once only

leaching chain as TEMP ladder (051.30 heir); IMP -ka waju-ka on... (see review note)


Tracking runs backwards through time, the old man taught the boys over one print: read first of all how old, then how fast, then how heavy, then which way, and walk only then, when all the words have spoken, for the track is a story already standing on its paper, and the tracker who runs at the first word finishes the story wrong.

Jina-wukurril nyulu warrin muku-jinabu wungarburr, mukulungku dingkarangka buban-buban milbin jinanga: nyaji-ngurr wanjarrinya mukul, yalada wanjarrinya warri, yalada wanjarrinya dandi, yalada wanjaburr, jilbanda kuku wubulku balkanya, jina nyulu kuku-jangkar kabanba janaymuny, jina-bama nyulu warril kuku ngadikungu nyulu kuku-jangkar badaku mumbu kunbay-manil.

jina-wukurri-l nyulu warri-ny muku-jina-bu wungar-burr, mukul-ungku dingkar-angka buban-buban milbi-ny jina-nga: nyaji-ngurr wanjarrinya mukul, yala-da wanjarrinya warri, yala-da wanjarrinya dandi, yala-da wanjaburr, jilba-n-da kuku wubul-ku balka-nya, jina nyulu kuku-jangkar kaban-ba jana-y-muny, jina-bama nyulu warri-l kuku ngadiku-ngu nyulu kuku-jangkar bada-ku mumbu kunba-y-mani-l | tracking it runs back-track-INST time-PERL, old man boys taught track-LOC: see-FIRST how.old, then how.fast, then how.heavy, then which.way, walk-THEN word all speak-SUB, track it story paper-LOC standing-of, tracker he runs word first-LOC he story end-DAT wrong finishes

interrogative battery in a TEMP ladder; TEMP1 jilba-n-da; ngadiku-ngu u-LOC (pre-bank catch)


Fire-building is an order you can hear, the old woman said with her eyes closed: first the dry grass whispers, then the small sticks talk, then the big wood speaks low, and if you hurry the order the fire goes quiet — work it again, little one, and this time let each voice finish.

Baya-murni nyulu murni-jina yundu milka-janaymuny, wulbumanangka balkan miyil nandanmuny-ji: jikan-ngurr marral balkal buban, yalada juku buban balkal, yalada juku yalbay balkal bada, kaki yundu murni-jina warri-bungal baya wunbu-mal, murni-baja bubanku, yalada bawa kuku nyubun-nyubun kunbay-manilka.

baya-murni nyulu murni-jina yundu milka-jana-y-muny, wulbuman-angka balka-ny miyil nanda-ny-muny-ji: jikan-ngurr marral balka-l buban, yala-da juku buban balka-l, yala-da juku yalbay balka-l bada, kaki yundu murni-jina warri-bunga-l baya wunbu-ma-l, murni-baja buban-ku, yala-da bawa kuku nyubun-nyubun kunba-y-mani-nka | fire-building it order you hear-of, old.woman said eye closed-COMIT: grass-FIRST dry speaks small, then stick small speaks, then wood big speaks low, if you order hurry-CAUS fire quiet-becomes(INCHO), work!-again little.one-DAT, then leave! voice each finish-DAT

fire-by-ear; IMP+-baja 'again'; marral dry


The ibis gets its fish just by standing, the old man taught, pointing across the water: it keeps standing and keeps standing until the fish forgets it while it stands, so when you hunt a shy creature, become part of the country, for not-moving is a different kind of speed, and the fast person never learns it.

Birmba kuyu manil janay nganga, mukulungku dingkarangka milbin bana ngubarku: nyulu janjanay janjanay, kuyubu nyulu milka-wulal jananya, yalada kaki yundu minya yinil-ji balbil, bubu-mal, warri-kari nyulu warri yindu, bama warringku nyulu kariku binal-mal.

birmba kuyu mani-l jana-y nganga, mukul-ungku dingkar-angka milbi-ny bana ngubar-ku: nyulu janjana-y janjana-y, kuyu-bu nyulu milka-wula-l jana-nya, yala-da kaki yundu minya yinil-ji balbi-l, bubu-ma-l, warri-kari nyulu warri yindu, bama warri-ngku nyulu kariku binal-ma-l | ibis fish gets standing only, old man taught water other.side-DAT: it keep.standing keep.standing, fish-ERG it forgets stand-SUB, so if you creature shy-COMIT hunt, country-become!, move-less it speed different, person fast-ERG it never learns(INCHO)

continuative janjana-y; bubu-ma-l INCHO; ngubar 042-confirmed


Let the sick one keep lying, the old woman held the door of the shelter: sleep is the body's own healer at its work, so the camp walks softly, the tools speak quietly, and the questions wait outside, for you would not push a man while he mends a net, and this net is his own body.

Bawa bambay wunanay, wulbumanangka bayan-ngandal karrban: warngku nyulu yukil-bungal-bama bangkarrmuny murninya nyungu, yalada bayan jilbal kimabu, yamba-murni balkal wunbu, kuku-babaji janay ngalkalba, yundu kariku dingkar jurrngal makarr murninya, makarr yinya nyulu bangkarr nyungu-nyungu.

bawa bambay wunana-y, wulbuman-angka bayan-ngandal karrba-ny: warngku nyulu yukil-bunga-l-bama bangkarr-muny murni-nya nyungu, yala-da bayan jilba-l kima-bu, yamba-murni balka-l wunbu, kuku-babaji jana-y ngalkal-ba, yundu kariku dingkar jurrnga-l makarr murni-nya, makarr yinya nyulu bangkarr nyungu-nyungu | leave! sick.one keep.lying, old.woman-ERG shelter-mouth held: sleep it healer body-of work-SUB its, so camp walks soft-INST, tools speak quiet, questions stand outside-LOC, you never man push net mend-SUB, net that it body his-own


The message ran ahead of the runner, the old man laughed about the old days: he kept running and kept running from camp to camp, and at every fire the story had already grown a new tail, so at the coast his own news greeted him fatter than he had sent it, for a running story eats at every fire it passes.

Kuku warrin ngadiku warri-bamamuny, mukulungku dingkarangka yajarr-man wungar mukulmuny: nyulu wanarri wanarri bayanmuny bayanka, baya nyubun-nyubunba kuku-jangkar yalbay-man baja, jalunba nyulu kuku nyungu-nyungu manin wandul-baja nyulu dayanmuny, kuku warrinya nyulu nukal baya nyubun-nyubunba.

kuku warri-ny ngadiku warri-bama-muny, mukul-ungku dingkar-angka yajarr-ma-ny wungar mukul-muny: nyulu wanarri-y wanarri-y bayan-muny bayan-ka, baya nyubun-nyubun-ba kuku-jangkar yalbay-ma-ny baja, jalun-ba nyulu kuku nyungu-nyungu mani-ny wandul-baja nyulu daya-ny-muny, kuku warri-nya nyulu nuka-l baya nyubun-nyubun-ba | message ran ahead runner-from, old man laughed(INCHO) day old-of: he keep.running keep.running camp-from camp-DAT, fire every-LOC story big-became already, coast-LOC he news own met fat-DEG2 he sent-of, story run-SUB it eats fire every-LOC

continuative wanarri-y; story-inflation humor


At the big talks the order is the oldest law, the old man readied the young speaker: the old people speak first of all, then the grown ones, the young last, and nobody speaks twice until every mouth has spoken once, so your words may be small this time, but say them in their right place and they will stand tall.

Kuku-yalbayba murni-jina nyulu kuku mukul bajaku, mukulungku dingkarangka warru balkal-bama junkurr-bungan: bama mukul-ngurr balkal, yalada bama-yalbay, warru badaku, bama nyubunbu kariku balkal jambulku ngandal wubulku balkanya nyubunbu, kuku yundumuny buban, yambada balka jana bubungu yukilba, jana janay kalbay.

kuku-yalbay-ba murni-jina nyulu kuku mukul bajaku, mukul-ungku dingkar-angka warru balka-l-bama junkurr-bunga-ny: bama mukul-ngurr balka-l, yala-da bama-yalbay, warru bada-ku, bama nyubun-bu kariku balka-l jambul-ku ngandal wubul-ku balka-nya nyubun-bu, kuku yundu-muny buban, yambada balka jana bubu-ngu yukil-ba, jana jana-y kalbay | big.talk-LOC order it law old most, old man young speaker readied: people old-FIRST speak, then grown.people, young last-DAT, person one-ERG never speaks twice mouth all speak-SUB once-INST, words your small, but say! them place-LOC right-LOC, they stand tall


Tell me your day in its own order, the old woman asked the small girl at dusk, and the child walked it out on her fingers: we woke, we swam first of all, then we dug the roots, then I lay down in the wet ground, then we laughed, then we ate — and the old woman said: that is a whole life, little one, in one day's clothes.

Balka ngaykunka wungar yundumuny jinanji nyungu, wulbumanangka jalbu-buban babajin miyil-wujurr-wujurrba, karrkaybu yinya jilba-bungan birribu: ngana wandin, ngana maraji-ngurr, yalada ngana bangkan bakan, yalada ngayu wunan bubu yarungu, yalada ngana yajarr-man, yalada ngana nukan, wulbumanangka balkan: yinya wawu wubulku, bubanku, wungar nyubunmuny kambinga.

balka ngayku-nka wungar yundu-muny jina-nji nyungu, wulbuman-angka jalbu-buban babaji-ny miyil-wujurr-wujurr-ba, karrkay-bu yinya jilba-bunga-ny birri-bu: ngana wandi-ny, ngana maraji-ngurr, yala-da ngana bangkan baka-ny, yala-da ngayu wuna-ny bubu yaru-ngu, yala-da ngana yajarr-ma-ny, yala-da ngana nuka-ny, wulbuman-angka balka-ny: yinya wawu wubul-ku, buban-ku, wungar nyubun-muny kambi-nga | tell! me-DAT day your track-COMIT its, old.woman girl asked dusk-LOC, child-ERG that walk-CAUS finger-INST: we woke, we swam-FIRST, then we root dug, then I lay ground wet-LOC, then we laughed(INCHO), then we ate, old.woman said: that life whole, little.one-DAT, day one-of clothes-LOC

child recount; yaru-ngu u-LOC (pre-bank catch)


When the old man says go with the hard little da on its tail, you go now, the elder brother schooled the younger: dungay is a door left standing open, dungay-da is the door closing, so learn the weight of the small endings, for this language carries its urgency in one sound.

Kaki mukulungku dingkarangka balkal 'dungay-da' kuku dandi-ji bubanji badanga, yundu dungay nyiku, yabangka yabaju milbin: 'dungay' nyulu baral-ngandal ngalkal janaymuny, 'dungay-da' nyulu baral-ngandal nandajinya, yalada binal-maka yamba-dandi kuku-badamuny bubanmuny, kukubu junkurr nyungu wundil kuku-buban nyubunba.

kaki mukul-ungku dingkar-angka balka-l 'dungay-da' kuku dandi-ji buban-ji bada-nga, yundu dunga-y nyiku, yaba-ngka yabaju milbi-ny: dungay nyulu baral-ngandal ngalkal jana-y-muny, dungay-da nyulu baral-ngandal nanda-ji-nya, yala-da binal-ma-ka yamba-dandi kuku-bada-muny buban-muny, kuku-bu junkurr nyungu wundi-l kuku-buban nyubun-ba | if old man says dungay-da word hard-COMIT little-COMIT end-LOC, you go now, elder.brother-ERG younger.brother taught: dungay it door open standing-of, dungay-da it door close-ITR-SUB, so learn-IMP! weight ending-of little-of, language-ERG urgency its carries sound one-LOC


Drink in your own turn at the small water, the old man set the thirsty walkers in a line: the children first of all, then the carriers, then the old people, then the hunters, and the dogs after everybody, for thirst is loud but order is older, and the line at the water is the oldest line in the world.

Nuka jinanji yundumuny bana bubanba, mukulungku dingkarangka jilba-bama bana-dakwuy-ji yijarrin jinanga: karrkay-ngurr, yalada wundil-bama, yalada bama mukul, yalada balbi-bama, kaya bama wubulkumuny badaku, bana-dakwuy nyulu kuku yalbay yambada murni-jina nyulu mukul-baja, jina-karra banaba nyulu jina-karra mukul bajaku bubungu.

nuka jina-nji yundu-muny bana buban-ba, mukul-ungku dingkar-angka jilba-bama bana-dakwuy-ji yijarri-ny jina-nga: karrkay-ngurr, yala-da wundi-l-bama, yala-da bama mukul, yala-da balbi-bama, kaya bama wubul-ku-muny bada-ku, bana-dakwuy nyulu kuku yalbay yambada murni-jina nyulu mukul-baja, jina-karra bana-ba nyulu jina-karra mukul bajaku bubu-ngu | drink! turn-COMIT your water small-LOC, old man walkers thirst-COMIT put line-LOC: children-FIRST, then carriers, then people old, then hunters, dog everybody-after last-DAT, thirst it voice loud but order it old-DEG2, line water-LOC it line old most world-LOC


After a death the things walk known roads, the old man explained the quiet order: the tools to the brother, the songs into the sister's keeping, the name goes quiet and the people say ngalba for its season, and the country to all the children together, so that even grief moves along a track, and nobody has to invent a road while crying.

Wawu-wula-muny yamba jilbal baral binalmuny, mukulungku dingkarangka murni-jina wunbu milbin: yamba-murni yabanka, wulngku babarranka kujinka, kuku wunbu-mal bama 'ngalba' balkal bana-wungar nyubunku, bubu karrkay-karranka wubulkunka nyubunji, yalada wawu-mumbu baja jilbal jinaburr, bama nyubunbu kari baral murnil badinya.

wawu-wula-muny yamba jilba-l baral binal-muny, mukul-ungku dingkar-angka murni-jina wunbu milbi-ny: yamba-murni yaba-nka, wulngku babarr-anka kuji-nka, kuku wunbu-ma-l bama ngalba balka-l bana-wungar nyubun-ku, bubu karrkay-karra-nka wubul-ku-nka nyubun-ji, yala-da wawu-mumbu baja jilba-l jina-burr, bama nyubun-bu kari baral murni-l badi-nya | after-death-TEMP4 things walk road known-of, old man order quiet explained: tools brother-DAT, songs elder.sister-DAT keep-PURP, name quiet-becomes(INCHO) people ngalba say season one-DAT, country children-DAT all-DAT together, so grief too walks track-PERL, person one-ERG NEG road makes cry-SUB


A song is learned tail-first, the old woman surprised the girls: you catch first of all the line that everybody sings, then the verses climb on one by one, and by the time you hold the head of the song, its tail is already family, and that is why nobody forgets a song learned this way.

Wulngku binal-mal bada-ngurr, wulbumanangka jalbu-buban milbin: yundu manil ngadiku kuku bama wubulkubu badimuny, yalada wulngku-yamba dakal nyubun-nyubun, yalada yundu dukul wulngkumuny karrbal, bada nyulu jawun ngadiku, yinya wanyurrinku bama kariku milka-wulal wulngku yalabu binalmanmuny.

wulngku binal-ma-l bada-ngurr, wulbuman-angka jalbu-buban milbi-ny: yundu mani-l ngadiku kuku bama wubul-ku-bu badi-muny, yala-da wulngku-yamba daka-l nyubun-nyubun, yala-da yundu dukul wulngku-muny karrba-l, bada nyulu jawun ngadiku, yinya wanyurrinku bama kariku milka-wula-l wulngku yala-bu binal-ma-ny-muny | song learned(INCHO) tail-FIRST, old.woman girls taught: you catch first line people all-ERG sing-of, then verse climbs one.by.one, then you head song-of hold, tail it family already, that why person never forgets song this.way-INST learned-of


Go back! is a whole sentence in one breath, the old man taught: dungay-baja sends the dog home, brings the boy out of the deep water, turns a story to its beginning, so treasure the little baja, for it is the word that lets one road be walked twice.

'Dungay-baja!' nyulu kuku wubulku wawu nyubunba, mukulungku dingkarangka milbin: 'dungay-baja' kaya yungal bayanka, nyulu buban manil bana dukurrmuny, nyulu kuku-jangkar murnil ngadikuku nyungu, yalada karrba kuku buban 'baja', nyulu kuku baral nyubun jilbanka jambulku dayalmuny.

dungay-baja! nyulu kuku wubul-ku wawu nyubun-ba, mukul-ungku dingkar-angka milbi-ny: dungay-baja kaya yunga-l bayan-ka, nyulu buban mani-l bana dukurr-muny, nyulu kuku-jangkar murni-l ngadiku-ku nyungu, yala-da karrba kuku buban baja, nyulu kuku baral nyubun jilba-nka jambul-ku daya-l-muny | go.back! it sentence whole breath one-LOC, old man taught: dungay-baja dog sends home-DAT, it boy takes water deep-from, it story turns beginning-DAT its, so hold! word little baja, it word road one walk-PURP twice giving-of


Learning has four steps and they are all walked, the old man counted for the impatient boy: watch first of all, then help, then do it with the old hands close by, then do it alone, and last of all teach it, for the knowledge is truly yours only while you are handing it to another.

Binal-mal nyulu jina jambul-jambul, wubulku jilbanmuny, mukulungku dingkarangka buban wawu-karrba-karinka milbin: nyaji-ngurr, yalada mara-daji, yalada murni mara mukul ngundu, yalada murni nyubunji, badaku milbi, binal nyulu yundumuny nganga yundu milbinya bamanka yindunka.

binal-ma-l nyulu jina jambul-jambul, wubul-ku jilba-ny-muny, mukul-ungku dingkar-angka buban wawu-karrba-kari-nka milbi-ny: nyaji-ngurr, yala-da mara-daji, yala-da murni mara mukul ngundu, yala-da murni nyubun-ji, bada-ku milbi, binal nyulu yundu-muny nganga yundu milbi-nya bama-nka yindu-nka | learning it step four, all walked-of, old man boy impatient-DAT counted: watch-FIRST, then help!, then do! hand old close.by, then do! alone, last-DAT teach!, knowledge it yours only you teach-SUB person-DAT other-DAT


The reef opens and closes on the tide's order, the old woman drilled the children again and again: go out as the water falls, work the low, turn back when the water turns, be home before the channels fill — four words, always the same, and the sea forgives nobody who changes them, so walk this one exactly as the grandmothers walked it.

Jalun-bubu ngalkal-mal nandaji yira jinanji, wulbumanangka karrkay-karrkay milbin baja baja: dungay bana daraynya, murni ngajalba, murni baja bana murninya, bayanka bana-baral jakal-manyjiku, kuku jambul-jambul, yabarrka nyubun yala, jalunbu kariku bawal bama kuku yindu-bungalmuny, yalada jilba yinya yala babi-karrangka jilbanmuny.

jalun-bubu ngalkal-ma-l nanda-ji-y yira jina-nji, wulbuman-angka karrkay-karrkay milbi-ny baja baja: dunga-y bana daray-nya, murni ngajal-ba, murni baja bana murni-nya, bayan-ka bana-baral jakal-ma-nyjiku, kuku jambul-jambul, yabarrka nyubun yala, jalun-bu kariku bawa-l bama kuku yindu-bunga-l-muny, yala-da jilba yinya yala babi-karra-ngka jilba-ny-muny | reef open-becomes(INCHO) closes(ITR) tide order-COMIT, old.woman children drilled again again: go! water fall-SUB, work! low.tide-LOC, turn! back water turn-SUB, home-DAT channel fill-SUCC, word four, always one same, sea-ERG never forgives person words change-CAUS-of, so walk! that as grandmother-KPL-ERG walked-of


Wash your hands first, then come and eat.

Julurri-ka-rr mara, yalada kaday nukanka.

julurri-ka-rr mara, yala-da kada-y nuka-nka | wash-IMP-FIRST hand, then come! eat-PURP


I speared a fish first of all, then I got two crabs at the low tide.

Ngayu kuyu-ngurr daman, yalada ngayu kiju jambul manin ngajalba.

ngayu kuyu-ngurr dama-ny, yala-da ngayu kiju jambul mani-ny ngajal-ba | I fish-FIRST speared, then I crab two got low.tide-LOC


We came back after the rain, and the path had already become water.

Ngana kadan baja wawu-kaba-muny, baral bana-man ngadiku.

ngana kada-ny baja wawu-kaba-muny, baral bana-ma-ny ngadiku | we came back after-rain-TEMP4, path water-became(INCHO) already


Go now! The water is rising and the crossing closes fast.

Dungay-da! Bana wangkar kaday, bana-baral nandaji warri.

dunga-y-da! bana wangkar kada-y, bana-baral nanda-ji-y warri | go-NOW(TEMP1)! water up comes, crossing closes(ITR) fast


She lit the fire, put the water on, and then sat down to wait for us.

Nyulu baya wajun, bana yijarrin bayanga, bundanda ngananka janayka.

nyulu baya waju-ny, bana yijarri-ny baya-nga, bunda-n-da ngana-nka jana-y-ka | she fire lit, water put fire-LOC, sat-THEN(TEMP1) us-DAT wait-DAT


Did you two eat before the walk, or after it?

Yubal nukan jilba ngadiku, yambada wawu-jilba-muny?

yubal nuka-ny jilba ngadiku, yambada wawu-jilba-muny? | you.two ate walk before, or after-walk-TEMP4?


First the lightning, then the thunder, then the rain — the storm keeps its own order every time.

Balbay-ngurr, yalada jabulbina, yalada kaba, jarramalibu murni-jina nyungu-nyungu karrbal nyubun-nyubunbu.

balbay-ngurr, yala-da jabulbina, yala-da kaba, jarramali-bu murni-jina nyungu-nyungu karrba-l nyubun-nyubun-bu | lightning-FIRST, then thunder, then rain, storm-ERG order its-own holds every-INST


Hold the baby while I tie the bag, then we can go.

Ngawa karrba ngayu balji kajanya, yalada ngana dungay.

ngawa karrba ngayu balji kaja-nya, yala-da ngana dunga-y | baby hold! I bag tie-SUB, then we go


He kept coming to the fire every night until the story was finished.

Nyulu kankaday bayaka wujurr nyubun-nyubunba kuku-jangkar kunbay-maninyjiku.

nyulu kankada-y baya-ka wujurr nyubun-nyubun-ba kuku-jangkar kunba-y-mani-nyjiku | he keep.coming fire-DAT night every-LOC story finish-SUCC


Don't eat it yet — wash it first, little one.

Kari nuka nyiku, julurri-ka-rr, bubanku.

kari nuka nyiku, julurri-ka-rr, buban-ku | NEG eat! yet(now), wash-IMP-FIRST, little.one-DAT


After the burying we sat quietly for a long time, and nobody wanted to speak first.

Wawu-wula-muny ngana bundan wunbu kalbay, bama nyubunbu kari wawu-manin balkanka ngadiku-ngurr.

wawu-wula-muny ngana bunda-ny wunbu kalbay, bama nyubun-bu kari wawu-mani-ny balka-nka ngadiku-ngurr | after-death-TEMP4 we sat quiet long, person one-ERG NEG wanted speak-PURP first-TEMP3


You go ahead first with the firestick, I will follow behind with the children.

Yundu dungay ngadiku-ngurr baya-juku-ji, ngayu wukurril badaku karrkay-karrkayanji.

yundu dunga-y ngadiku-ngurr baya-juku-ji, ngayu wukurri-l bada-ku karrkay-karrkay-anji | you go first-TEMP3 firestick-COMIT, I follow behind-DAT children-COMIT


The old dog ate first, then slept by the coals all day — he has earned his place in the order.

Kaya mukul nukan ngadiku-ngurr, wunanda ngunjil ngundu wungar wubulku, nyulu murni-jina nyungu maninmuny.

kaya mukul nuka-ny ngadiku-ngurr, wuna-n-da ngunjil ngundu wungar wubul-ku, nyulu murni-jina nyungu mani-ny-muny | dog old ate first-TEMP3, slept-THEN(TEMP1) coals close.by day whole-DAT, he order his earned-of


Which do we do first, the nets or the firewood? — The nets, the rain is close.

Wanjaku ngana murnil ngadiku-ngurr, makarr yambada baya-juku? Makarr, kaba ngundu.

wanjaku ngana murni-l ngadiku-ngurr, makarr yambada baya-juku? makarr, kaba ngundu | which we do first-TEMP3, net or firewood? net, rain close.by


I will teach you the song after the food, not before it.

Ngayu yununy wulngku milbil wawu-mayi-muny, kari mayi ngadiku.

ngayu yununy wulngku milbi-l wawu-mayi-muny, kari mayi ngadiku | I you song teach after-food-TEMP4, NEG food before


They kept standing at the crossing until the flood water went down.

Jana janjanay bana-baralba jalungkarr bada dunganyjiku.

jana janjana-y bana-baral-ba jalungkarr bada dunga-nyjiku | they keep.standing crossing-LOC flood down go-SUCC


First look, then place the foot — the reef teaches that to every foot that walks it.

Nyaji-ngurr, yalada jina bunga, jalun-bububu yinya milbil jina nyubun-nyubunka jilbanya.

nyaji-ngurr, yala-da jina bunga, jalun-bubu-bu yinya milbi-l jina nyubun-nyubun-ka jilba-nya | look-FIRST, then foot place!, reef-ERG that teaches foot every-DAT walk-SUB

TEMP3 pair; reef law compact (050.33 heir)


We talked until the fire went small, and then we slept.

Ngana balkan baya buban-manyjiku, wunanda.

ngana balka-ny baya buban-ma-nyjiku, wuna-n-da | we talked fire small-become-SUCC, slept-THEN(TEMP1)


After the cyclone we mended the shelters first of all, and the nets after them.

Wawu-wadjal-muny ngana bayan-ngurr murnin, makarr badaku.

wawu-wadjal-muny ngana bayan-ngurr murni-ny, makarr bada-ku | after-cyclone-TEMP4 we shelter-FIRST mended, net after-DAT


Janay! Bawa bama mukul nukanka ngadiku-ngurr.

jana-y! bawa bama mukul nuka-nka ngadiku-ngurr | stand(wait)! leave! people old drink-PURP first-TEMP3

hortative; queue law compact (052.20 heir)


She sang the song through twice, then the girls sang it too, and then they sang it alone.

Nyulu wulngku badin jambulku, yalada jalbu-buban badin baja, yalada nyubunji jana badin.

nyulu wulngku badi-ny jambul-ku, yala-da jalbu-buban badi-ny baja, yala-da nyubun-ji jana badi-ny | she song sang twice, then girls sang too, then alone they sang


My mother always cooked the fish first and the roots after; the other mother did it the other way around — and both families ate well.

Ngamungku ngayku kuyu-ngurr wajun yabarrka, bangkan badaku, ngamungku yindubu murnin muku-jinabu, jawun-karra jambul nukan yukil.

ngamu-ngku ngayku kuyu-ngurr waju-ny yabarrka, bangkan bada-ku, ngamu-ngku yindu-bu murni-ny muku-jina-bu, jawun-karra jambul nuka-ny yukil | mother-ERG my fish-FIRST cooked always, root after-DAT, mother-ERG other-ERG did back-track-INST, family two ate well

two-households contrast; order tolerance


Keep going, keep going — the camp is close now, one more crossing and then rest.

Wanarri, wanarri, bayan ngundu nyiku, bana-baral nyubun baja, yalada kalka.

wanarri-y, wanarri-y, bayan ngundu nyiku, bana-baral nyubun baja, yala-da kalka | keep.running, keep.running, camp close.by now, crossing one more, then rest!

continuative encouragement; trail register


What do we say first when we come to another people's country? — We stand at the edge, we call out, and we stand to hear their word.

Wanyu ngana balkal ngadiku-ngurr kaki ngana kaday bubuku bama yindumuny? Ngana janay ngundu, yirrkay, ngana janay kuku janamuny milka-jananka.

wanyu ngana balka-l ngadiku-ngurr kaki ngana kada-y bubu-ku bama yindu-muny? ngana jana-y ngundu, yirrka-y, ngana jana-y kuku jana-muny milka-jana-nka | what we say first-TEMP3 if we come country-DAT people other-of? we stand close.by, call.out, we stand word their-of hear-PURP


Work first, story after — that one little order built every camp on this river.

Murni-ngurr, kuku-jangkar badaku, murni-jinabu buban yinyabu bayan nyubun-nyubun bungan wawubajanga.

murni-ngurr, kuku-jangkar bada-ku, murni-jina-bu buban yinya-bu bayan nyubun-nyubun bunga-ny wawubaja-nga | work-FIRST, story after-DAT, order-ERG little that-ERG camp every built river-LOC


Is the fish cooked yet? — Not yet, the underside is still raw.

Kuyu jani nyiku? Kariku, bada nyulu jani-kari.

kuyu jani nyiku? kariku, bada nyulu jani-kari | fish cooked now? not.yet, underside it done-less


Chew it well, little one, then swallow — the meat is tough today.

Maja yukil, bubanku, yalada yurmbi, minya dandi nyiku.

maja yukil, buban-ku, yala-da yurmbi, minya dandi nyiku | chew! well, little.one-DAT, then swallow!, meat hard today

majal chew + yurmbil swallow FIRST USES; zero IMPs


Share the honey out evenly, and give the first taste to grandmother.

Wunba wambajika yukilbu, nganja-ngurr babinda daya.

wunba wambaji-ka yukil-bu, nganja-ngurr babi-nda daya | honey share.out! even-INST, taste-FIRST grandmother-LOC give!

wambaji share-out + nganja taste FIRST USES; TEMP3; recipient LOC


The old woman said the yams have many names because they have many natures: juwal is the long one, kawu the round one, bambayal the deep one that waits for the digging, and the one who knows the names digs no empty holes.

Wulbumanangka balkan juwal-jina kuku-ji wubul-ji, jana yamba-ji wubul-ji: juwal nyulu kalbay, kawu nyulu murru, bambayal nyulu dukurr nyulu janay bakanka, bama nyulu kuku binal nyulu kariku bubu nganga bakal.

wulbuman-angka balka-ny juwal-jina kuku-ji wubul-ji, jana yamba-ji wubul-ji: juwal nyulu kalbay, kawu nyulu murru, bambayal nyulu dukurr nyulu jana-y baka-nka, bama nyulu kuku binal nyulu kariku bubu nganga baka-l | old.woman said yam-kind name-COMIT many-COMIT, they nature-COMIT many-COMIT: juwal it long, kawu it round, bambayal it deep it waits dig-DAT, person he name knows he never ground empty digs

yam taxonomy — three attested species names; juwal vindicated (2125 use was real)


I am hungry! — Then dig, the yam ground is right there.

Ngayu dakwuy! Yalada baka, juwal-bubu yinya ngundu.

ngayu dakwuy! yala-da baka, juwal-bubu yinya ngundu | I hungry! then dig!, yam-ground that close.by


Don't eat the poison nut before the washing — it must first sleep in the running water.

Kari nuka jinjay julurril ngadiku, nyulu wuna-ngurr bananga warrinya.

kari nuka jinjay julurri-l ngadiku, nyulu wuna-ngurr bana-nga warri-nya | NEG eat! poison.nut washing before, it sleep-FIRST water-LOC run-SUB

jinjay poison-nut FIRST USE; TEMP3 on the soak; detox law compact


Greedy has three words and not one of them is hungry, the old man taught: durrbal the grabber, jumbun the never-full, waral-dandi the hard-stomach who eats alone — hunger is honest work, but greed is hunger that lost its manners.

Bama durrbal, bama jumbun, bama waral-dandi, kuku kulur jana, dakwuy kari nyubun janamuny, mukulungku dingkarangka milbin: dakwuy nyulu murni yukil, yambada jumbun nyulu dakwuy murni-yukil bada-maninmuny.

bama durrbal, bama jumbun, bama waral-dandi, kuku kulur jana, dakwuy kari nyubun jana-muny, mukul-ungku dingkar-angka milbi-ny: dakwuy nyulu murni yukil, yambada jumbun nyulu dakwuy murni-yukil bada-mani-ny-muny | person grabber, person greedy, person stomach-hard, word three they, hungry NEG one they-of, old man taught: hunger it work honest, but greed it hunger manners lost-of

greed lexicon x3 FIRST USES; waral-dandi vindicates the waral element in one attested compound


The children ate until they were satisfied, and then fell asleep by the fire.

Karrkay-karrkay nukan wawu-daray, wunanda baya ngundu.

karrkay-karrkay nuka-ny wawu-daray, wuna-n-da baya ngundu | children ate satisfied(INTR), slept-THEN(TEMP1) fire close.by

wawu-daray satisfied FIRST USE; TEMP1 close


The two brothers found a big honeycomb, ate the sweet until their faces shone, and carried the rest home to the camp — and their mother said: the best taste is the taste of a shared thing.

Yabaju jambul mandi-mandi yalbay manin, jiba-wulay nukan walu jilu-jilu-manya, bawanmuny wundin bayanka bamanka, ngamungku jana balkan: nganja yukil bajaku nyulu nganja yamba wambajinmuny.

yabaju jambul mandi-mandi yalbay mani-ny, jiba-wulay nuka-ny walu jilu-jilu-ma-nya, bawa-ny-muny wundi-ny bayan-ka bama-nka, ngamu-ngku jana balka-ny: nganja yukil bajaku nyulu nganja yamba wambaji-ny-muny | brother two honeycomb big found, sweet ate face shiny-become-SUB, left-of carried camp-DAT people-DAT, mother-ERG them said: taste good most it taste thing shared-of

mandi-mandi honeycomb FIRST USE; jiba-wulay VINDICATED (attested headword, ex-watchlist); nganja vindicated


What does it taste like? — Sweet first of all, then a little bitter at the end.

Nganja nyungu wanjarr? Jiba-wulay ngadiku-ngurr, yalada ngambuy buban badanga.

nganja nyungu wanjarr? jiba-wulay ngadiku-ngurr, yala-da ngambuy buban bada-nga | taste its how? sweet first-TEMP3, then strong.taste little end-LOC


Cook the sweet potato in the coals with its skin still on, the old woman showed the girls: the bark is its cooking bag, and the one who peels it first throws the pot away.

Bangkamu dinda ngunjilba warrur-ji nyungu, wulbumanangka jalbu-buban milbin: warrur nyulu balji nyungu wajunka, bama nyulu warrur-ngurr manil nyulu balji yilbal kala-kalbay.

bangkamu dinda ngunjil-ba warrur-ji nyungu, wulbuman-angka jalbu-buban milbi-ny: warrur nyulu balji nyungu waju-nka, bama nyulu warrur-ngurr mani-l nyulu balji yilba-l kala-kalbay | sweet.potato roast! coals-LOC bark-COMIT its, old.woman girls showed: bark it bag its cook-PURP, person he bark-FIRST takes he bag throws far.away

bangkamu sweet potato FIRST USE; dindal roast IMP dinda; TEMP3 joke


Give the meat juice to the roots — throw nothing away, the fat is the best part.

Wuynkurr daya bangkanba, kari yamba yilba, wandul nyulu yukil bajaku.

wuynkurr daya bangkan-ba, kari yamba yilba, wandul nyulu yukil bajaku | meat.juice give! roots-LOC, NEG thing throw!, fat it good most

wuynkurr meat-juice vindicated (2125 use was real); waste-nothing law


Why do we cook the cheeky yam so long? — Because only the fire can soften it kind.

Wanyurrinku ngana ngakun janbay-janbay wajul kalbayku? Bayabu nganga nyulu kima-bungal.

wanyurrinku ngana ngakun janbay-janbay waju-l kalbay-ku? baya-bu nganga nyulu kima-bunga-l | why we yam cheeky cook long-DAT? fire-ERG only it soft-CAUS

ngakun yam + janbay-janbay cheeky FIRST USES; kima-bunga CAUS


Bring firewood before you sit down to eat — that is the family's oldest exchange.

Baya-juku mana bundanka nukanka ngadiku, yinya daji-way mukul bajaku jawun-karramuny.

baya-juku mana bunda-nka nuka-nka ngadiku, yinya daji-way mukul bajaku jawun-karra-muny | firewood get! sit-PURP eat-PURP before, that exchange old most family-of

work-for-meal; daji-way exchange (established)


This one is ripe, that one wants two more days on the branch.

Yanya kulbul, yinya wungar jambul baja wawu-manil dakilba.

yanya kulbul, yinya wungar jambul baja wawu-ma-ni-l dakil-ba | this ripe, that day two more wants branch-LOC

yanya 'this' FIRST USE (grammar 2636); kulbul ripe true sense


Feed the stranger first even in the lean time, the old woman held the line: the food you give walks out and comes back doubled, the hidden food rots in its bag, and no camp ever went hungry from a shared yam.

Ngarrbal-ngurr mayi-daya wungar dakwuyba baja, wulbumanangka kuku dandi karrban: mayi yundu dayalmuny nyulu dungay kaday baja jambul-mal, mayi ngakijinmuny nyulu kabu-mal baljinga, bayan nyubunbu kariku dakwuy-man juwalmuny wambajinmuny.

ngarrbal-ngurr mayi-daya wungar dakwuy-ba baja, wulbuman-angka kuku dandi karrba-ny: mayi yundu daya-l-muny nyulu dunga-y kada-y baja jambul-ma-l, mayi ngakiji-ny-muny nyulu kabu-ma-l balji-nga, bayan nyubun-bu kariku dakwuy-ma-ny juwal-muny wambaji-ny-muny | stranger-FIRST feed! time hungry-LOC even, old.woman word hard held: food you give-of it goes comes back double-becomes(INCHO), food hidden-of it rotten-becomes bag-LOC, camp one-ERG never hungry-became yam-from shared-of

hospitality law; TEMP3; kabu-ma-l 'rot' INCHO


Little greedy one! Leave some for your younger sister.

jumbun buban! bawa buban jinkurr-ku | greedy little.one! leave! little sister-DAT

jinkurr = seven-neutral-kin: neutral DAT -ku (r.33)


The baby ate a little of the bitter leaf and made a face like a storm coming, and everybody laughed, and grandmother said: good — that face means the mouth is learning its first law: not every leaf is food.

Ngawabu birra ngambuy nukan buban, walu murnin yala jarramali kadanya, bama wubulku yajarr-man, babingka balkan: yukil, walu yinya balkal ngandal binal-mal kuku ngadiku nyungu: kari birra wubulku mayi.

ngawa-bu birra ngambuy nuka-ny buban, walu murni-ny yala jarramali kada-nya, bama wubul-ku yajarr-ma-ny, babi-ngka balka-ny: yukil, walu yinya balka-l ngandal binal-ma-l kuku ngadiku nyungu: kari birra wubul-ku mayi | baby-ERG leaf bitter ate little, face turned like storm come-SUB, people all laughed(INCHO), grandmother-ERG said: good, face that says mouth learns(INCHO) law first its: NEG leaf every food

first-bitterness rite; storm-face simile


Who ate all the honeycomb? — The quiet one with the shining chin.

Wanyabu mandi-mandi wubulku nukan? Bama wunbu bari jilu-jilu-ji.

wanya-bu mandi-mandi wubul-ku nuka-ny? bama wunbu bari jilu-jilu-ji | who-ERG honeycomb all ate? person quiet chin shiny-COMIT

whodunnit humor; wanya-bu who-ERG r.32; bari chin


Hunger is the best cook, the old man laughed when the boys praised the plain roots: walk all day and the burnt crust is a feast, sit all day and even honey is only sweet — so season your food with work.

Dakwuy nyulu waju-bama yukil bajaku, mukulungku dingkarangka yajarr-man, buban-bubanbu bangkan nganga yulmbarrinya: jilba wungar wubulku, mayi wajunmuny bajaku nyulu nganja yukil, bunda wungar wubulku, wunba baja nyulu jiba-wulay nganga, yalada nganja mayika daya murnibu.

dakwuy nyulu waju-bama yukil bajaku, mukul-ungku dingkar-angka yajarr-ma-ny, buban-buban-bu bangkan nganga yulmbarri-nya: jilba wungar wubul-ku, mayi waju-ny-muny bajaku nyulu nganja yukil, bunda wungar wubul-ku, wunba baja nyulu jiba-wulay nganga, yala-da nganja mayi-ka daya murni-bu | hunger it cook good most, old man laughed(INCHO), boys-ERG root plain praise-SUB: walk! day whole, food burnt-of very it taste good, sit! day whole, honey even it sweet only, so taste food-DAT give! work-INST

hunger-as-cook; nganja vindicated in idiom


kuyu murni-da, nyulu waju-nyji! | fish turn-NOW(TEMP1)!, it burn-PRECAUT!


We will eat when your father comes back, not before.

Ngana nukal nganjan kadanya baja, kari ngadiku.

ngana nuka-l nganjan kada-nya baja, kari ngadiku | we eat father come-SUB back, NEG before


In one dry season the fish went far away and the camp lived on yams and patience, and when the rains turned the river over, the first catch tasted like a story with a good ending.

Marralba nyubunba kuyu dungan kala-kalbay, bayan juran juwalbu wawu-karrbabu, kaki kababu wawubaja murnin baja, kuyu ngadiku-maninmuny nganja nyungu yala kuku-jangkar bada yukil-ji.

marral-ba nyubun-ba kuyu dunga-ny kala-kalbay, bayan juran juwal-bu wawu-karrba-bu, kaki kaba-bu wawubaja murni-ny baja, kuyu ngadiku-mani-ny-muny nganja nyungu yala kuku-jangkar bada yukil-ji | dry-LOC one-LOC fish went far.away, camp alive yam-INST patience-INST, when rain-ERG river turned back, fish first-caught-of taste its like story end good-COMIT

scarcity-and-return; INST pair 'on yams and patience'


Which part goes to the old people? — The soft inside parts, always; their teeth have grown old from much work.

Wanjaku yamba bama mukulanka? Yamba kima dukurrmuny, yabarrka, dirra jana mukul-man murnimuny wubulkumuny.

wanjaku yamba bama mukul-anka? yamba kima dukurr-muny, yabarrka, dirra jana mukul-ma-ny murni-muny wubul-ku-muny | which part people old-DAT? part soft inside-of, always, tooth their old-became(INCHO) work-from much-from

elder-portion law; kima post-sweep in service


Wash the yams in the creek, then line them up on the leaves — the big ones to the coals first.

Juwal julurrika wawubajanga, yalada yijarrika birranga, yalbay-ngurr ngunjilku.

juwal julurri-ka wawubaja-nga, yala-da yijarri-ka birra-nga, yalbay-ngurr ngunjil-ku | yam wash! creek-LOC, then put! leaf-LOC, big-FIRST coals-DAT


There are three roads from raw to cooked, the old man laid them out: the open flame for speed, the coals for patience, the ground-fire for a whole camp — and the wise cook asks first how many mouths, and then chooses the road.

Baral kulur janay jani-karimuny janiku, mukulungku dingkarangka jana milbin: baya ngalkal warrinka, ngunjil wawu-karrbanka, bubu-baya bayan wubulkunka, waju-bama binal nyulu babaji-ngurr wanjarrinya ngandal, yalada baral manil.

baral kulur jana-y jani-kari-muny jani-ku, mukul-ungku dingkar-angka jana milbi-ny: baya ngalkal warri-nka, ngunjil wawu-karrba-nka, bubu-baya bayan wubul-ku-nka, waju-bama binal nyulu babaji-ngurr wanjarrinya ngandal, yala-da baral mani-l | road three stand raw-from cooked-DAT, old man them showed: fire open speed-PURP, coals patience-PURP, ground-fire camp whole-DAT, cook wise he ask-FIRST how.many mouth, then road takes

cooking-methods trio; TEMP3 on the asking


Hold your sister's food-share — she is still at the water.

Mayi-daji jinkurrmuny karrba, nyulu bananga yabarrka.

mayi-daji jinkurr-muny karrba, nyulu bana-nga yabarrka | food-share sister-of hold!, she water-LOC still

portion-keeping; mayi-daji transparent of attested


This fish is full of bones — give the child the belly part.

Kuyu yanya bajibay-ji wubul-ji, karrkayanda jibar-daji daya.

kuyu yanya bajibay-ji wubul-ji, karrkay-anda jibar-daji daya | fish this bone-COMIT many-COMIT, child-LOC belly-share give!

recipient potent LOC karrkay-anda; safety portioning


A meal has an order like a song, the old woman walked the girls through it: wash first of all, the elders served, the children fed, the workers filled, the stories after the food, the coals covered last — and a camp that eats in order sleeps in peace.

Mayi-nuka nyulu jina-ji yala wulngku, wulbumanangka jalbu-buban yinya jilba-bungan: julurri-ka-rr, bama mukul-ngurr, karrkay badaku mayi-dayan, murni-bama jakal-bungan, kuku-jangkar wawu-mayi-muny, ngunjil nandanda badaku, bayan nyulu nukal jinanji nyulu wunay kaka-kari.

mayi-nuka nyulu jina-ji yala wulngku, wulbuman-angka jalbu-buban yinya jilba-bunga-ny: julurri-ka-rr, bama mukul-ngurr, karrkay bada-ku mayi-daya-ny, murni-bama jakal-bunga-ny, kuku-jangkar wawu-mayi-muny, ngunjil nanda-n-da bada-ku, bayan nyulu nuka-l jina-nji nyulu wuna-y kaka-kari | meal it order-COMIT like song, old.woman girls that walk-CAUS: wash-FIRST-rr, people old-FIRST, children then fed, workers filled-CAUS, story after-food-TEMP4, coals covered-THEN last-DAT, camp it eats order-COMIT it sleeps pain-less

the full TEMP kit inside one mealtime row (052 recap)


Is there enough for everybody? — There is, if the hands that take are as honest as the hands that gave.

Mayi jakal bamanka wubulkunka? Jakal, kaki mara manilmuny yukil yala mara dayanmuny.

mayi jakal bama-nka wubul-ku-nka? jakal, kaki mara mani-l-muny yukil yala mara daya-ny-muny | food enough people-DAT all-DAT? enough, if hand taking-of honest like hand gave-of


The honey has gone all over his body! Wash the little one in the creek before it dries hard.

Wunba dungan bangkarrburr! Buban julurrika wawubajanga, wunba marral-manyjiku.

wunba dunga-ny bangkarr-burr! buban julurri-ka wawubaja-nga, wunba marral-ma-nyjiku | honey went body-PERL! little.one wash! creek-LOC, honey dry-become-SUCC

PERL over the body + SUCC deadline; domestic comedy


Grandfather told about the hungry year: they moved camp seven times following the food, and the children never knew it was a hungry year, because the old people turned the searching itself into a laughing thing — and that is what grown-ups are for.

Kamingka balkan wungar dakwuymuny: jana bayan wundin wubulkubu mayi wukurrinya, karrkay-karrkay kariku binalman wungar dakwuy yinya, bama mukulungku balbil nyulu-nyulu murnin yajarr-yambaku, yinya murni bama-yalbaymuny.

kami-ngka balka-ny wungar dakwuy-muny: jana bayan wundi-ny wubul-ku-bu mayi wukurri-nya, karrkay-karrkay kariku binal-ma-ny wungar dakwuy yinya, bama mukul-ungku balbi-l nyulu-nyulu murni-ny yajarr-yamba-ku, yinya murni bama-yalbay-muny | grandfather-ERG told year hungry-of: they camp carried many-INST food follow-SUB, children never knew year hungry that, people old-ERG searching itself made laughing-thing-DAT, that work grown.ups-of


Sit down, eat slowly — the food is not running away.

Bunda, nuka buban-buban, mayi kariku warri.

bunda, nuka buban-buban, mayi kariku warri-y | sit!, eat! slowly, food never runs