The young man brought fish and turtle to his wife's father for many long seasons, the old man said, exactly as the old law of marriage requires of a man.

Warru-ngku kuyu ngawiya-jirr nyungu biwar-mu ngalayan-nka wundi wungar-jarra wubul, mukul-dingkar balkan, yala dunyu-mu yalaku kalbay-muny balka.

warru-ngku kuyu ngawiya-jirr nyungu biwar-mu ngalayan-nka wundi wungar-jarra wubul, mukul-dingkar balka-ny, yala dunyu-mu yalaku kalbay-muny balka | young.man-ERG:pt fish sea.turtle-COMIT his wife-POSS father-in-law-DAT bring season many, old-man said, like husband-POSS law long.ago say

warru kuyu ngawiya biwar ngalayan dunyu yalaku

⭐ngalayan 'father-in-law'; the son-in-law's food obligation; biwar wife (b118); marriage-law duty


Everyone belongs to one of the two moieties, the old man said, and everything in the country — every animal, every tree, every place — belongs to one side or the other.

Bama wubulku mandi jambul-mu nyubun-ba wuna, mukul-dingkar balkan, bubu-ba wubulku — minya wubulku juku wubulku — mandi nyubun-ba yindu-ba-baja wuna.

bama wubulku mandi jambul-mu nyubun-ba wuna, mukul-dingkar balka-ny, bubu-ba wubulku — minya wubulku juku wubulku — mandi nyubun-ba yindu-ba-baja wuna | person all moiety two-POSS one-LOC belong, old-man said, country-LOC all — animal all tree all — moiety one-LOC other-LOC-too belong

mandi jambul 'the two moieties' divide everyone AND everything (animals, trees) into two sides


Each person has a totem from the country, the old woman said, an animal or a plant of their own that they must never once harm or hunt or eat.

Bama nyubun-nyubun-ngku mulkal-mulkal bubu-muny karrba, mukul-jalbu balkan, minya juku-baja nyungu-mu nyulu kari nyubun-bu kuni balbi nuka.

bama nyubun-nyubun-ngku mulkal-mulkal bubu-muny karrba, mukul-jalbu balka-ny, minya juku-baja nyungu-mu nyulu kari nyubun-bu kuni balbi nuka | person each-ERG:pt totem country-ABL hold, old-woman said, animal tree-too his 3sg NEG one-INST kill hunt eat

bama mulkal-mulkal bubu minya juku kunil balbi nukal

⭐mulkal-mulkal 'totem'; each person's own animal/plant, never harmed; the totem-taboo


When a person dies, the old man said, their true name is not spoken aloud for a long, long time, and they are called only by the taboo-name instead.

Bama wula-nya-muny, mukul-dingkar balkan, nyungu burri junkurr kari balka-l wumbul marri-marri, nyulu ngalba-bu nyubun burri-mani.

bama wula-nya-muny, mukul-dingkar balka-ny, nyungu burri junkurr kari balka-l wumbul marri-marri, nyulu ngalba-bu nyubun burri-mani | person die-SUB-ABL, old-man said, his name true NEG speak time long-REDUP, 3sg taboo.name-INST only name(call)

⭐ngalba 'taboo-name' for the deceased (name-avoidance, grammar l.699); wula-nya-muny 'after [one] dies' (b120)


The husband and the wife grew old together side by side, the old woman said, and their many grandchildren filled the whole camp with noise and laughter.

Dunyu biwar-jirr muru mukul-ma-l muru-ma-nya, mukul-jalbu balkan, jana-mu jija-karra wubul bayan narmba warmba yirrka yajarri-jirr.

dunyu biwar-jirr muru mukul-ma-nya, mukul-jalbu balka-ny, jana-mu jija-karra wubul bayan narmba warmba yirrka yajarri-jirr | husband wife-COMIT together old-become-SUB, old-woman said, their grandchild-KPL many camp whole fill call laugh-COMIT

dunyu biwar mukul jija wubul bayan yajarril

dunyu+biwar grow old together; jija-karra (KPL) many grandchildren; yajarri laugh (b120); the full camp


The mother-in-law sent food across to her daughter's husband only through the little children, the old man said, for the two of them could never speak a word to each other.

Biwul-angka mayi nyungu jalbu-kangkal-mu dunyu-nka karrkay-karrkay-bu nyubun yunga, mukul-dingkar balkan, jambulu kari nyubun-bu balka.

biwul-angka mayi nyungu jalbu-kangkal-mu dunyu-nka karrkay-karrkay-bu nyubun yunga, mukul-dingkar balka-ny, jambulu kari nyubun-bu balka | mother-in-law-ERG:pt food her daughter-POSS husband-DAT child-REDUP-INST only send, old-man said, both NEG one-INST speak

biwul mayi kangkal dunyu karrkay yungal balka

biwul sends food via the children (avoidance); yunga 'send' (b118); jalbu-kangkal 'daughter'; the-two-never-speak


So the old man named for the boy the whole great web of kin, the old woman said — mother and father, brother and sister, grandparent and grandchild, uncle and aunt and cousin — and the two moieties that hold it all together, and he said: this is who you are.

Yala mukul-dingkarangka karrkay bama-mu narmba burri — ngamu nganjan, yaba babarr, kami jija, kalnga bimakay bangunji-jirr — mandi jambul-jirr wubulku karrba-nya, mukul-jalbu balkan, nyulu balkan: yinya yundu.

yala mukul-dingkar-angka karrkay bama-mu narmba burri — ngamu nganjan, yaba babarr, kami jija, kalnga bimakay bangunji-jirr — mandi jambul-jirr wubulku karrba-nya, mukul-jalbu balka-ny, nyulu balka-ny: yinya yundu | thus old-man-ERG:pt child kin-POSS whole name — mother father, brother sister, grandfather grandchild, mother's.brother father's.sister cousin-COMIT — moiety two-COMIT all hold-SUB, old-woman said, 3sg said: that you

mukul karrkay ngamu nganjan yaba kami kalnga bimakay mandi

⭐the whole kin web in one sentence: ngamu/nganjan/yaba/babarr/kami/jija/kalnga/bimakay/bangunji + mandi jambul; 'this is who you are'


Who ate all the ripe figs that were sitting right here, the old woman asked the children sharply, but not one of them answered her.

Wanya-ngka junda kulbul yaluy-mba wubulku nukan? mukul-jalbu-ngku karrkay-karrkay nyajin kuli-bu, yamba nyubun-bu kari balka.

wanya-ngka junda kulbul yaluy-mba wubulku nuka-n? mukul-jalbu-ngku karrkay-karrkay nyaji-ny kuli-bu, yamba nyubun-bu kari balka | who-ERG:pt fig ripe here-LOC all eat-PAST? old-woman-ERG:pt child-REDUP ask anger-INST, but one-INST NEG speak

wanya junda kulbul nukal mukul karrkay nyajil kuli

⭐WHO(ERG) = wanya-ngka (ex.25 'Wanya-ngka mayi nuka-ny?'); junda fig (b113); kulbul ripe (b116); the accusing question


Who made all these fresh tracks here in the soft sand by the water, the old man said, bending down low to look at them very closely.

Wanya-ngka jina jirakal jukar kima-ba bana ngundu-ba bungan? mukul-dingkar balkan, bada duku nyaji-nyaji nyiku bajaku.

wanya-ngka jina jirakal jukar kima-ba bana ngundu-ba bunga-n? mukul-dingkar balka-ny, bada duku nyaji-nyaji nyiku bajaku | who-ERG:pt track new sand soft-LOC water near-LOC make-PAST? old-man said, down bend watch close very

wanya jina jirakal jukar kima bana duku nyaji-nyaji

WHO(ERG) wanya-ngka; jina track (b109); jirakal new (b118); duku bent/bending (b121); reading-the-tracks


What is that big dark thing lying so still on the sand over there, the little child asked, looking hard across the wide beach.

Wanyu yinya yalbay ngumbu janka wuna-nya jukar-a yinya-ka? karrkay buban nyajin, jukar kala-kalbay-mba nyaji-nyaji junkurr.

wanyu yinya yalbay ngumbu janka wuna-nya jukar-a yinya-ka? karrkay buban nyaji-ny, jukar kala-kalbay-mba nyaji-nyaji junkurr | what that big dark still lie-SUB sand-LOC there? child small ask, beach far-LOC watch strong

wanyu yalbay ngumbu janka wunay jukar karrkay nyajil

⭐WHAT = wanyu (ABS); ngumbu dark (b117); jukar sand/beach (b107); the child's question about a distant shape


Who is that coming along the path toward the camp now, the old man said, for he could no longer see well in the dim evening light.

Wanya yinya jina-ba bayan-ka kada-nya niji? mukul-dingkar balkan, nyulu kari-baja ngulkurr nyaji wujurr-ma-nya balbal-kari-ba.

wanya yinya jina-ba bayan-ka kaday-nya niji? mukul-dingkar balka-ny, nyulu kari-baja ngulkurr nyaji wujurr-ma-nya balbal-kari-ba | who that path-LOC camp-DAT come-SUB now? old-man said, 3sg NEG-anymore good see evening bright-PRIV-LOC

wanya jina bayan kaday mukul nyajil wujurr balbal

WHO(ABS, as S) wanya; kaday-nya 'coming' (SUB); balbal-kari 'without light' (bright-PRIV b110); the dim-sighted elder


What are you carrying there in your dilly-bag, my granddaughter, the old woman asked, smiling warmly at the girl.

Wanyu yundu ngunyin-ba karrba, ngayku kaminjarr? mukul-jalbu-ngku nyajin, jalbu-nka janka yajarri-nya.

wanyu yundu ngunyin-ba karrba, ngayku kaminjarr? mukul-jalbu-ngku nyaji-ny, jalbu-nka janka yajarri-nya | what you dilly.bag-LOC carry, my grandchild? old-woman-ERG:pt ask, girl-DAT quietly laugh(smile)-SUB

wanyu ngunyin karrbal kaminjarr mukul jalbu yajarril

WHAT wanyu; ngunyin dilly-bag (b107); kaminjarr grandchild (b121); yajarri smile/laugh (b120); the fond question


Who taught you to weave a dilly-bag as fine and tight as this one, the old woman asked the young girl, turning it over in her hands.

Wanya-ngka yununy binal-bungal ngunyin ngulkurr junkurr yinya yala jaba-nka? mukul-jalbu-ngku jalbu warru nyajin, mara-bu jurrki.

wanya-ngka yununy binal-bungal ngunyin ngulkurr junkurr yinya yala jaba-nka? mukul-jalbu-ngku jalbu warru nyaji-ny, mara-bu jurrki | who-ERG:pt you(ACC) teach dilly.bag good tight this like weave-PURP? old-woman-ERG:pt girl young ask, hand-INST turn

wanya yununy binal-bungal ngunyin junkurr jaba jurrki

WHO(ERG) wanya-ngka; yununy 2sg ACC (b118); binal-bungal teach (b118); jaba-nka 'to weave'; who-taught-you


What did the two men bring back with them from the long hunt in the deep scrub, the children asked, running out to meet them.

Wanyu dingkar-jarra jambul balbi wumbul-muny bayan-ka wundin? karrkay-karrkay nyajin, jana-nka warri nyaji-nka.

wanyu dingkar-jarra jambul balbi wumbul-muny bayan-ka wundi-n? karrkay-karrkay nyaji-ny, jana-nka warri nyaji-nka | what man-pair two hunt long-ABL camp-DAT bring-PAST? child-REDUP ask, 3pl-DAT run see-PURP

wanyu dingkar jambul balbi bayan wundil karrkay warri

WHAT wanyu; wundi-n 'brought' (elder past); the children running to meet the returning hunters


Who speared this big fat fish, the old man asked, holding it high, for it is the very finest catch of the whole long day.

Wanya-ngka kuyu yalbay wandul yinya daman? mukul-dingkar nyajin, wangkar-a karrba, yinya minya ngulkurr bajaku wungar narmba-mu.

wanya-ngka kuyu yalbay wandul yinya dama-n? mukul-dingkar nyaji-ny, wangkar-a karrba, yinya minya ngulkurr bajaku wungar narmba-mu | who-ERG:pt fish big fat this spear-PAST? old-man ask, up hold, this game good very day whole-POSS

wanya kuyu yalbay wandul dama mukul minya wungar

WHO(ERG) wanya-ngka; dama-n 'speared'; wandul fat (b109); who-caught-the-best-fish


What is that bird calling out from the very top of the tall tree, the child asked, and the grandfather told him its name at once.

Wanyu buyi yinya juku kalbay wangkar-a yirrka-nya? karrkay nyajin, kami-ngku nyunguny nyungu burri nyiku-nyiku balkan.

wanyu buyi yinya juku kalbay wangkar-a yirrka-nya? karrkay nyaji-ny, kami-ngku nyunguny nyungu burri nyiku-nyiku balka-ny | what bird that tree tall top-LOC call-SUB? child ask, grandfather-ERG:pt him(ACC) its name soon tell |

wanyu buyi juku kalbay yirrkal karrkay kami burri

WHAT wanyu (for a bird — animate non-human); buyi bird (b117); yirrka call (b114); kami grandfather (b121); what-bird-is-that


Who will carry the water back up from the creek today, the old woman asked the children sitting idle by the morning fire.

Wanya-ngka bana bana-jandu-muny bada-baja wundi niji? mukul-jalbu-ngku karrkay-karrkay nyajin, buri-ngka daki-daki bunda-nya.

wanya-ngka bana bana-jandu-muny bada-baja wundi niji? mukul-jalbu-ngku karrkay-karrkay nyaji-ny, buri-ngka daki-daki bunda-nya | who-ERG:pt water creek-ABL up-again bring now? old-woman-ERG:pt child-REDUP ask, fire-LOC lazy sit-SUB

wanya bana bana-jandu wundil mukul karrkay buri daki-daki

WHO(ERG) wanya-ngka; bana-jandu creek (b115); daki-daki lazy (b116); who-fetches-the-water


What are you making there with the black palm and the strong vine, the boy asked, watching the old man's quick and certain hands.

Wanyu yundu yinya-ba bunga duwar wangay junkurr-jirr? karrkay nyajin, mukul-dingkar-mu mara bila junkurr nyaji-l-nyaji-nya.

wanyu yundu yinya-ba bunga duwar wangay junkurr-jirr? karrkay nyaji-ny, mukul-dingkar-mu mara bila junkurr nyaji-l-nyaji-nya | what you there-LOC make black.palm vine strong-COMIT? child ask, old-man-POSS hand fast strong watch-l-REDUP-SUB

wanyu bunga duwar wangay junkurr karrkay mara nyajil

WHAT wanyu; duwar black-palm (b119); wangay vine (b113); nyaji-l-nyaji-nya 'watching' (simultaneous b120); what-are-you-making


Who is that old man sitting all alone at the far quiet edge of the big camp, the child asked her mother very quietly.

Wanya yinya mukul-dingkar bayan yalbay-mu ngandal janka kala-kalbay-mba nyubun-bu bunda-nya? karrkay-angka nyungu ngamu janka bajaku nyajin.

wanya yinya mukul-dingkar bayan yalbay-mu ngandal janka kala-kalbay-mba nyubun-bu bunda-nya? karrkay-angka nyungu ngamu janka bajaku nyaji-ny | who that old-man camp big-POSS edge quiet far-LOC alone sit-SUB? child-ERG:pt her mother quietly very ask

wanya mukul bayan ngandal janka kala-kalbay karrkay ngamu

WHO(ABS, S) wanya; bunda-nya 'sitting' (SUB); ngandal edge (b109); the whispered question about a stranger


What else do you want me to teach you now, the old man asked the boy, now that you already know how to hunt and to make a good spear.

Wanyu-baja yundu wawu ngayu yununy binal-bungal niji? mukul-dingkar-angka karrkay nyajin, yundu niji binal balbi-nka kalka ngulkurr bunga-nka.

wanyu-baja yundu wawu ngayu yununy binal-bungal niji? mukul-dingkar-angka karrkay nyaji-ny, yundu niji binal balbi-nka kalka ngulkurr bunga-nka | what-else you want 1sg you(ACC) teach now? old-man-ERG:pt child ask, you now know hunt-PURP spear good make-PURP

wanyu wawu binal-bungal karrkay binal balbi kalka

⭐wanyu-baja 'what else' (what + -baja, prompt for more); wawu 'want' (b118); binal 'know how to' (b118)


Where are you all going so early this cold morning, the old woman called out to the young men as they left the camp together.

Yurra wanjabu dunga-y wunkuwingku ngiki niji? mukul-jalbu-ngku warru-warru burri, jana bayan-muny muru dunga-nya.

yurra wanjabu dunga-y wunkuwingku ngiki niji? mukul-jalbu-ngku warru-warru burri, jana bayan-muny muru dunga-nya | 2pl where go-NONPAST morning cold now? old-woman-ERG:pt young.man-REDUP call, 3pl camp-ABL together go-SUB

wanjabu dunga wunkuwingku ngiki mukul warru bayan muru

⭐WHERE = wanjabu (ex.130 'Yundu wanjabu dunga-y?'); yurra 2pl (b?); ngiki cold (b115); where-are-you-going


Where is your mother right now, the old man asked the little lost child gently, for I have not once seen her since the early morning.

Yunu ngamu wanjabu niji? mukul-dingkar-angka karrkay buban wula-nya janka nyajin, ngayu nyungu kari nyaji wunkuwingku-muny.

yunu ngamu wanjabu niji? mukul-dingkar-angka karrkay buban wula-nya janka nyaji-ny, ngayu nyungu kari nyaji wunkuwingku-muny | your mother where now? old-man-ERG:pt child small lost quietly ask, 1sg her NEG see morning-ABL

ngamu wanjabu mukul karrkay wulal nyajil wunkuwingku

⭐WHERE wanjabu (ex.129 'Yunu ngamu wanjabu?'); yunu 'your' (b118); where-is-your-mother


Where did you find these sweet ripe figs, the old woman asked the girl, for I want very much to go to that same place myself the next day.

Yundu junda jiba-wulay kulbul yinya wanjamuny manin? mukul-jalbu-ngku jalbu nyajin, ngayu wawu bajaku yinya-ka dunga-nka ngayu-baja wungar yindu-ba.

yundu junda jiba-wulay kulbul yinya wanjamuny mani-n? mukul-jalbu-ngku jalbu nyaji-ny, ngayu wawu bajaku yinya-ka dunga-nka ngayu-baja wungar yindu-ba | you fig sweet ripe this where.from get-PAST? old-woman-ERG:pt girl ask, 1sg want very that-DAT go-PURP 1sg-too day other-LOC

junda jiba-wulay kulbul wanjamuny manil jalbu wawu

⭐WHERE-FROM = wanjamuny (ABL, l.); junda fig (b113); where-did-you-find-them


Where does the good clean water lie hidden in this dry stony country, the young man asked, and the old woman rose and showed him the way.

Bana ngulkurr wanjabu wuna bubu marral kulji-jirr-ba? warru-ngku nyajin, mukul-jalbu wandi nyungu jina binal-bungal.

bana ngulkurr wanjabu wuna bubu marral kulji-jirr-ba? warru-ngku nyaji-ny, mukul-jalbu wandi nyungu jina binal-bungal | water good where lie country dry stone-COMIT-LOC? young.man-ERG:pt ask, old-woman rise his path teach

bana wanjabu wunay bubu marral kulji warru binal-bungal

WHERE wanjabu; marral dry (b111); where-is-the-water; the old woman shows the way


When will the big rains finally come this year, the children asked, and the old man watched the sky a long while and did not answer them.

Kaba yalbay wanja-wanja kada-y wungar-jarra yinya-ba? karrkay-karrkay nyajin, mukul-dingkar jiri nyaji-nyaji wumbul, kari balka.

kaba yalbay wanja-wanja kaday wungar-jarra yinya-ba? karrkay-karrkay nyaji-ny, mukul-dingkar jiri nyaji-nyaji wumbul, kari balka | rain big when come sun/year this-LOC? child-REDUP ask, old-man sky watch long, NEG speak

kaba wanja-wanja kaday wungar karrkay jiri yalama

⭐WHEN = wanja-wanja (redup 'where'); kaba rain (b116); jiri sky (b120); when-will-the-rains-come


Where has the wounded wallaby run off to now, the hunter said quietly, reading the small dark drops of blood along the ground.

Kadar dama-nya wanjabu wanarrin niji? balbi-bama janka balkan, mula ngumbu buban jina-bu bubu-ba nyaji-nyaji.

kadar dama-nya wanjabu wanarri-n niji? balbi-bama janka balka-ny, mula ngumbu buban jina-bu bubu-ba nyaji-nyaji | wallaby spear-SUB where run-PAST now? hunt-person quietly say, blood dark small track-INST ground-LOC watch

kadar wanjabu wanarri balbi mula ngumbu jina

WHERE wanjabu; kadar dama-nya 'the speared wallaby'; wanarri run (b114); mula blood (b109); tracking-by-blood


When did the old people first come to live in this country long ago, the child asked, and the grandmother began a long slow story.

Bama mukul wanja-wanja nyubun-nya yinya bubu-ba kaday wuna-nka? karrkay nyajin, babi-ngku kuku marri yudal.

bama mukul wanja-wanja nyubun-nya yinya bubu-ba kaday wuna-nka? karrkay nyaji-ny, babi-ngku kuku marri yudal | person old when first this country-LOC come live-PURP? child ask, grandmother-ERG:pt story long begin

bama mukul wanja-wanja bubu kaday karrkay babi kuku

WHEN wanja-wanja; babi grandmother (b121); kuku story (b109); yudal begin (b114); when-did-the-people-come


Where did you leave the digging-sticks yesterday, the old woman asked the girls, for we must dig the yams now before the day grows too hot.

Yurra baka-juku wanjabu bawan yilay? mukul-jalbu-ngku jalbu-jalbu nyajin, ngana bambayal baka-nka niji wungar wumbul-ma-nyjiku.

yurra baka-juku wanjabu bawa-n yilay? mukul-jalbu-ngku jalbu-jalbu nyaji-ny, ngana bambayal baka-nka niji wungar wumbul-ma-nyjiku | 2pl dig-stick where leave-PAST yesterday? old-woman-ERG:pt girl-REDUP ask, 1pl.inc(ngana) yam dig-PURP now sun hot-become-before

baka juku wanjabu bawal jalbu bambayal wungar

WHERE wanjabu; baka-juku 'digging-stick'; bawa-n 'left' (leave); yilay yesterday (b111); before-it-gets-hot


When the round moon is full and bright, is that the right time to go out onto the reef, the boy asked his mother's brother.

Kija murru-murru balbal-nya, yinya wanja-wanja ngulkurr dulngku-ka dunga-nka? karrkay-angka nyungu kalnga nyajin.

kija murru-murru balbal-nya, yinya wanja-wanja ngulkurr dulngku-ka dunga-nka? karrkay-angka nyungu kalnga nyaji-ny | moon round bright-SUB, that when good reef-DAT go-PURP? child-ERG:pt his mother's.brother ask

kija murru-murru balbal wanja-wanja dulngku kalnga karrkay

WHEN wanja-wanja (embedded in a real question); kija moon (b111); dulngku reef (b115); kalnga MB (b121)


Where do the big sea-turtles come up to lay their eggs along this coast, the young man asked the old fisherman who knew the whole shore.

Ngawiya yalbay wanjabu jukar-a kaday karrkay wuna-nka jalun yinya-ba? warru-ngku mukul-dingkar kuyu-bama jalun narmba binal nyajin.

ngawiya yalbay wanjabu jukar-a kaday karrkay wuna-nka jalun yinya-ba? warru-ngku mukul-dingkar kuyu-bama jalun narmba binal nyaji-ny | sea.turtle big where sand-LOC come egg(young) lay-PURP coast this-LOC? young.man-ERG:pt old-man fish-person coast whole know ask

ngawiya wanjabu jukar kaday jalun warru mukul binal

WHERE wanjabu; ngawiya sea-turtle (b115); jalun coast/sea (b102); where-do-turtles-nest


Where have all the little children gone off to now, the old woman asked, for the whole camp is far too quiet this warm afternoon.

Karrkay-karrkay buban wubulku wanjabu dunga-nya niji? mukul-jalbu nyajin, bayan narmba janka bajaku wungar wumbul-ba.

karrkay-karrkay buban wubulku wanjabu dunga-nya niji? mukul-jalbu nyaji-ny, bayan narmba janka bajaku wungar wumbul-ba | child-REDUP small all where go-SUB now? old-woman ask, camp whole quiet very sun warm-LOC

karrkay wubulku wanjabu dunga mukul bayan janka wungar

WHERE wanjabu; dunga-nya 'gone' (SUB); the too-quiet camp; where-are-the-children


When will you finally teach me the deep old songs, grandfather, the boy asked, and the old man answered him only: when you are older.

Wanja-wanja yundu ngayku wulngku dajali kalbay-muny-mu binal-bungal, kami? karrkay nyajin, mukul-dingkar-angka nyubun balkan: yundu mukul-ma-nya-ka.

wanja-wanja yundu ngayku wulngku dajali kalbay-muny-mu binal-bungal, kami? karrkay nyaji-ny, mukul-dingkar-angka nyubun balka-ny: yundu mukul-ma-nya-ka | when you me(POSS/DAT) song deep long.ago-POSS teach, grandfather? child ask, old-man-ERG:pt only say: you old-become-SUB-DAT

wanja-wanja wulngku dajali binal-bungal kami karrkay mukul

WHEN wanja-wanja; wulngku song (b115); 'when you are older' = mukul-ma-nya-ka (become-old SUB-DAT); when-will-you-teach-me


Where did that great flood carry the great old log away to, the old man wondered aloud, looking down the whole length of the changed river.

Jalungkarr yalbay-angka walmba mukul wanjabu jarra-kulban? mukul-dingkar milka-ba nyajin, bana-jandu jirakal narmba bada nyaji-nyaji.

jalungkarr yalbay-angka walmba mukul wanjabu jarra-kulba-n? mukul-dingkar milka-ba nyaji-ny, bana-jandu jirakal narmba bada nyaji-nyaji | flood big-ERG:pt log old where carry-PAST? old-man mind-LOC ask, creek new whole down watch

jalungkarr walba wanjabu jarra-kulba mukul bana-jandu jirakal

WHERE wanjabu; jalungkarr flood (b116); walmba log (b119); the changed river after the flood


How did you ever catch so very many fish in a single short morning, the children asked, staring wide-eyed at the full heavy dilly-bag.

Wanjarr yundu kuyu wubul bajaku nyubun wunkuwingku buban-ba manin? karrkay-karrkay nyajin, ngunyin warmba kulngkul miyil yalbay-bu nyaji-nyaji.

wanjarr yundu kuyu wubul bajaku nyubun wunkuwingku buban-ba mani-n? karrkay-karrkay nyaji-ny, ngunyin warmba kulngkul miyil yalbay-bu nyaji-nyaji | how you fish many very one morning small-LOC get-PAST? child-REDUP ask, dilly.bag full heavy eye big-INST watch

wanjarr kuyu wubul wunkuwingku manil karrkay ngunyin miyil

⭐HOW = wanjarr; kuyu fish (b115); ngunyin warmba 'full dilly-bag'; wide-eyed children; how-did-you-catch-so-many


How many big turtles did the men bring back from beyond the far reef today, the old woman asked the breathless boy.

Wanjarrinya ngawiya yalbay dingkar-dingkar-angka dulngku kala-kalbay-muny bada-baja wundin niji? mukul-jalbu-ngku karrkay wawu-baja-nya nyajin.

wanjarrinya ngawiya yalbay dingkar-dingkar-angka dulngku kala-kalbay-muny bada-baja wundi-n niji? mukul-jalbu-ngku karrkay wawu-baja-nya nyaji-ny | how.many sea.turtle big man-REDUP-ERG:pt reef far-ABL up-again bring-PAST now? old-woman-ERG:pt child breath-tired-SUB ask

wanjarrinya ngawiya dingkar dulngku wundil mukul karrkay

⭐HOW MANY = wanjarrinya; ngawiya turtle (b115); dulngku reef (b115); how-many-turtles


Why did you take the camp dog right inside the shelter, the old woman asked crossly, you should have left it outside in the cool of the night.

Wanyurri-mbu yundu kaya wurun-ba wundin? mukul-jalbu-ngku kuli-bu nyajin, yundu nyulu ngalkal-ba bawa-nyaku wujurr ngiki-ba.

wanyurri-mbu yundu kaya wurun-ba wundi-n? mukul-jalbu-ngku kuli-bu nyaji-ny, yundu nyulu ngalkal-ba bawa-nyaku wujurr ngiki-ba | what.LOC(why) you dog humpy-LOC bring-PAST? old-woman-ERG:pt anger-INST ask, you it outside-LOC leave-IRR night cold-LOC

wanyurri kaya wurun wundil kuli bawal wujurr ngiki

⭐WHY(location focus) = wanyurri-mbu (what-LOC, ex.127a 'why the house?'); bawa-nyaku 'should have left' (IRR b116); kaya dog (b116)


How do you make the fire come right out of the two dry rubbing-sticks, the child asked, and the old man showed him the way very slowly.

Wanjarr yundu buri juku duna-kari jambul-muny ngalkal-ma-l? karrkay nyajin, mukul-dingkar-angka nyunguny jina binal-bungal janka bajaku.

wanjarr yundu buri juku duna-kari jambul-muny ngalkal-ma-l? karrkay nyaji-ny, mukul-dingkar-angka nyunguny jina binal-bungal janka bajaku | how you fire wood wet-PRIV two-ABL out-INCHO? child ask, old-man-ERG:pt him(ACC) way teach quietly very

wanjarr buri juku duna karrkay binal-bungal jina

HOW wanjarr; duna-kari 'dry' (wet-PRIV, b115); how-do-you-make-fire; the slow teaching


How many long seasons have you  lived in this same country, grandmother, the child asked, and the old woman only laughed softly and said nothing.

Wanjarrinya wungar-jarra yundu yinya bubu-ba wuna-n, babi? karrkay nyajin, mukul-jalbu nyubun yajarri janka, kari nyubun-bu balkan.

wanjarrinya wungar-jarra yundu yinya bubu-ba wuna-n, babi? karrkay nyaji-ny, mukul-jalbu nyubun yajarri janka, kari nyubun-bu balka-ny | how.many season you this country-LOC  live-PAST, grandmother? child ask, old-woman only laugh quietly, NEG one-INST say-PAST

wanjarrinya wungar bubu wunay babi karrkay yajarril

HOW MANY wanjarrinya; wungar-jarra 'seasons' (b111); babi grandmother (b121); yajarri laugh (b120); the unanswered how-many


What are you ill with, my grandchild, the old woman asked softly, laying her cool hand on the sick child's hot forehead.

Yundu wanyurri-nji bambay, ngayku kaminjarr? mukul-jalbu-ngku janka nyajin, nyungu mara ngiki karrkay bambay-mu walu wumbul-ba wandi.

yundu wanyurri-nji bambay, ngayku kaminjarr? mukul-jalbu-ngku janka nyaji-ny, nyungu mara ngiki karrkay bambay-mu walu wumbul-ba wandi | you what.COMIT sick, my grandchild? old-woman-ERG:pt quietly ask, her hand cool child sick-POSS head hot-LOC put

wanyurri bambay kaminjarr mukul mara ngiki walu wumbul

⭐ILLNESS Q = wanyurri-nji (what-COMIT, ex.128 'Yundu wanyurrinji bambay?'); bambay sick (b116); walu head (b109); what-are-you-ill-with


Why does the great crocodile lie so very still for so long a time, the boy asked, and the old man told him that it was only waiting.

Wanyurrimun bilngkumu yalbay janka bajaku wuna wumbul marri? karrkay nyajin, mukul-dingkar-angka nyunguny balkan nyulu nyubun bunda-nya.

wanyurrimun bilngkumu yalbay janka bajaku wuna wumbul marri? karrkay nyaji-ny, mukul-dingkar-angka nyunguny balka-ny nyulu nyubun bunda-nya | why crocodile big still very lie long? child ask, old-man-ERG:pt him(ACC) tell 3sg only wait(sit)-SUB

wanyurrimun bilngkumu janka wunay karrkay mukul bundal

⭐WHY(purpose) = wanyurrimun (what-DAT 'for what', ex.127b); bilngkumu crocodile (b116); why-does-it-lie-still


How many little children does your younger sister have now, the old woman asked, for it has been so very many seasons since I last saw her.

Wanjarrinya karrkay-karrkay buban yunu jinkurr-mu niji? mukul-jalbu-ngku nyajin, wungar-jarra wubul bajaku ngayu nyungu kari nyaji-nya-muny.

wanjarrinya karrkay-karrkay buban yunu jinkurr-mu niji? mukul-jalbu-ngku nyaji-ny, wungar-jarra wubul bajaku ngayu nyungu kari nyaji-nya-muny | how.many child-REDUP small your younger.sister-POSS now? old-woman-ERG:pt ask, season many very 1sg her NEG see-SUB-ABL

wanjarrinya karrkay jinkurr mukul wungar nyajil

HOW MANY wanjarrinya; jinkurr younger sister (b121); how-many-children-does-your-sister-have


Why did all the frogs suddenly fall completely silent in the middle of the night, the child asked, and the old woman answered him only: a snake.

Wanyurrimun yirku-yirku wubulku nyubun-bu yirrka kunbayn wujurr jarra-ka? karrkay nyajin, mukul-jalbu-ngku nyubun balkan: jarba.

wanyurrimun yirku-yirku wubulku nyubun-bu yirrka kunbayn wujurr jarra-ka? karrkay nyaji-ny, mukul-jalbu-ngku nyubun balka-ny: jarba | why frog all together call finish night middle-DAT? child ask, old-woman-ERG:pt only say: snake

wanyurrimun yirku-yirku yirrkal kunbayn wujurr karrkay jarba

WHY wanyurrimun; yirku-yirku frog (b119); yirrka kunbayn 'fall silent' (b119); jarba snake (b115); why-the-silence


How did the old people ever find their way across the whole wide country with no path at all to follow, the boy asked the grandfather.

Wanjarr bama mukul jina bubu narmba-burr manin jina-kari bajaku? karrkay-angka kami nyajin, bubu marri yalbay-mba.

wanjarr bama mukul jina bubu narmba-burr mani-n jina-kari bajaku? karrkay-angka kami nyaji-ny, bubu marri yalbay-mba | how person old path country whole-PERL get-PAST path-PRIV very? child-ERG:pt grandfather ask, country long big-LOC

wanjarr bama jina bubu manil kami karrkay

HOW wanjarr; jina-kari 'without a path' (PRIV b110); bubu narmba-burr 'across the whole country' (PERL); how-did-they-navigate


Why do you always give the very first and best of the meat to the old people, the child asked her mother, and the mother told her it was the law.

Wanyurrimun yundu marri minya nyubun ngulkurr bajaku mukul-bama-nka daji? karrkay-angka nyungu ngamu nyajin, ngamu-ngku nyunguny balkan yinya yalaku.

wanyurrimun yundu marri minya nyubun ngulkurr bajaku mukul-bama-nka daji? karrkay-angka nyungu ngamu nyaji-ny, ngamu-ngku nyunguny balka-ny yinya yalaku | why you always meat first good very old-person-DAT give? child-ERG:pt her mother ask, mother-ERG:pt her(ACC) tell that law

wanyurrimun minya mukul dajil karrkay ngamu yalaku

WHY wanyurrimun; daji-l give (b118); yalaku law (b118); why-give-the-elders-first


How many spears will each of the young men need to carry for the big turtle hunt beyond the reef, the old man asked them.

Wanjarrinya kalka warru nyubun-nyubun-bu wundi-nka ngawiya balbi yalbay-nka dulngku-muny? mukul-dingkar-angka jana nyajin.

wanjarrinya kalka warru nyubun-nyubun-bu wundi-nka ngawiya balbi yalbay-nka dulngku-muny? mukul-dingkar-angka jana nyaji-ny | how.many spear young.man each-INST carry-PURP sea.turtle hunt big-DAT reef-ABL? old-man-ERG:pt 3pl ask

wanjarrinya kalka warru wundil ngawiya balbi dulngku

HOW MANY wanjarrinya; kalka spear; how-many-spears-for-the-hunt


Why must a man never once speak to his own mother-in-law, the boy asked, and the old man answered him simply: that is the old law of avoidance.

Wanyurrimun dingkar nyungu biwul kari nyubun-bu balka-nka? karrkay nyajin, mukul-dingkar-angka nyunguny nyubun balkan: yinya yalaku kalbay-muny.

wanyurrimun dingkar nyungu biwul kari nyubun-bu balka-nka? karrkay nyaji-ny, mukul-dingkar-angka nyunguny nyubun balka-ny: yinya yalaku kalbay-muny | why man his mother-in-law NEG one-INST speak-PURP? child ask, old-man-ERG:pt him(ACC) only say: that law long.ago

wanyurrimun dingkar biwul balka karrkay mukul yalaku

WHY wanyurrimun; biwul mother-in-law (b121); the avoidance law; why-cant-a-man-speak-to-his-mother-in-law


Are you coming out with us to hunt the wallaby in the scrub today, the young man asked his younger brother by the morning fire.

Yundu ngananji kadar balbi-nka madja-ka niji? warru-ngku nyungu yabaju buri-ngka wunkuwingku-ba nyajin.

yundu ngananji kadar balbi-nka madja-ka niji? warru-ngku nyungu yabaju buri-ngka wunkuwingku-ba nyaji-ny | you us(COMIT) wallaby hunt-PURP scrub-DAT now? young.man-ERG:pt his younger.brother fire-LOC morning-LOC ask

kadar balbi madja warru yabaju buri wunkuwingku

⭐POLAR (yes/no) Q: statement word-order + intonation, NO particle (ex. 'Yundu kada-y?'); yabaju younger brother (b121); are-you-coming


Did you hear that lonely bird calling out in the deep of the night, the old woman asked, for that call is a sure sign of the rains coming soon.

Yundu buyi yinya wujurr dajali-ba yirrka-nya milka-janan? mukul-jalbu-ngku nyajin, yinya yirrka kaba kada-nya-mu nyaji.

yundu buyi yinya wujurr dajali-ba yirrka-nya milka-jana-n? mukul-jalbu-ngku nyaji-ny, yinya yirrka kaba kaday-nya-mu nyaji | you bird that night deep-LOC call-SUB hear-PAST? old-woman-ERG:pt ask, that call rain come-SUB-POSS sign(see)

buyi wujurr yirrkal milka-janay mukul kaba

POLAR Q (did you hear...?) statement+intonation; buyi bird (b117); milka-jana-n 'heard'; bird-as-rain-sign (b117)


Is the turtle meat cooked right through yet, the hungry child asked, and the old woman told him to wait a good while longer by the coals.

Minya ngawiya narmba waju-n niji? karrkay dakuy nyajin, mukul-jalbu-ngku nyunguny balkan bunda wumbul-baja kubu ngundu-ba.

minya ngawiya narmba waju-n niji? karrkay dakuy nyaji-ny, mukul-jalbu-ngku nyunguny balka-ny bunda wumbul-baja kubu ngundu-ba | meat sea.turtle whole cook-PAST now? child hungry ask, old-woman-ERG:pt him(ACC) tell wait long-again coal near-LOC

minya ngawiya wajul karrkay dakuy mukul kubu

POLAR Q (is it cooked?); waju-ny 'cooked' (here question-final); dakuy hungry (b114); wait-a-while-longer


Have the men come back yet from the far reef, the old woman asked the children, for the strong tide is already beginning to turn now.

Dingkar-dingkar dulngku kala-kalbay-muny bada-baja kada-n niji? mukul-jalbu-ngku karrkay-karrkay nyajin, yira junkurr niji nyunba yudal-nya.

dingkar-dingkar dulngku kala-kalbay-muny bada-baja kaday-ny niji? mukul-jalbu-ngku karrkay-karrkay nyaji-ny, yira junkurr niji nyunba yudal-nya | man-REDUP reef far-ABL up-again come-PAST now? old-woman-ERG:pt child-REDUP ask, tide strong now turn begin-SUB

dingkar dulngku kaday mukul karrkay yira nyunbay

POLAR Q (have they come back?); yira tide (b115); nyunba turn (b116); the turning tide


Do you  know how to find good water out in the dry country, the old man asked the boy, testing carefully all that the child had learned so far.

Yundu binal bana ngulkurr mani-nka bubu marral-ba? mukul-dingkar-angka karrkay nyajin, karrkay-mu binalman narmba nyaji-nyaji.

yundu binal bana ngulkurr mani-nka bubu marral-ba? mukul-dingkar-angka karrkay nyaji-ny, karrkay-mu binal-ma-ny narmba nyaji-nyaji | you  know water good get-PURP country dry-LOC? old-man-ERG:pt child ask, child-POSS learn-PAST whole watch

binal bana manil bubu marral mukul karrkay

POLAR Q (do you know...?); binal 'know how to' (b118); marral dry (b111); testing-what-was-learned


Is there something moving quietly in the long grass over there, the child whispered fearfully, and the hunter went completely still and listened hard.

Junjuy yinya-ba jikan kalbay-mba janka mara-warri-nya? karrkay yararri-bu janka balkan, balbi-bama janjanay bajaku milka-janay junkurr.

junjuy yinya-ba jikan kalbay-mba janka mara-warri-nya? karrkay yararri-bu janka balka-ny, balbi-bama janjanay bajaku milka-janay junkurr | something there-LOC grass long-LOC quietly crawl-SUB? child fear-INST quietly say, hunt-person stand very listen strong

junjuy jikan kalbay mara-warri karrkay yararri balbi milka-janay

⭐junjuy 'something' (indefinite, non-human); mara-warri crawl (b119); yararri fear (b116); is-something-there


Did the old woman finally finish weaving the big new dilly-bag, the child asked eagerly, and the mother told her that indeed she had finished it.

Mukul-jalbu ngunyin yalbay jirakal jaba kunbayn niji? karrkay wawu-bu nyajin, ngamu-ngku nyunguny balkan nyulu kunbayn-nya.

mukul-jalbu ngunyin yalbay jirakal jaba kunbayn niji? karrkay wawu-bu nyaji-ny, ngamu-ngku nyunguny balka-ny nyulu kunbayn-nya | old-woman dilly.bag big new weave finish now? child eager-INST ask, mother-ERG:pt her(ACC) tell  3sg finish-SUB

mukul ngunyin jirakal jaba kunbayn karrkay ngamu

POLAR Q (did she finish?); jirakal new (b118); kunbayn finish (b114); did-she-finish-weaving


The old man asked the child who had made all the tracks, the old woman said, but the little child  did not know who it had been at all.

Mukul-dingkar-angka karrkay nyajin wanya-ngka jina wubulku bungan, mukul-jalbu balkan, yamba karrkay buban kari binal wanya nyulu.

mukul-dingkar-angka karrkay nyaji-ny wanya-ngka jina wubulku bunga-n, mukul-jalbu balka-ny, yamba karrkay buban kari binal wanya nyulu | old-man-ERG:pt child ask who-ERG:pt track all make-PAST, old-woman said, but child small  NEG know who 3sg

⭐EMBEDDED question: 'asked who had made...' (wanya-ngka in an indirect question); binal wanya 'know who'; the child didn't know


I  do not know where my own digging-stick is, the old woman said crossly, for I set it down somewhere and cannot find it again now.

Ngayu kari binal ngayku baka-juku wanjabu, mukul-jalbu balkan kuli-bu, ngayu wanjabu bawan, kari-baja mani-nka.

ngayu kari binal ngayku baka-juku wanjabu, mukul-jalbu balka-ny kuli-bu, ngayu wanjabu bawa-n, kari-baja mani-nka | 1sg  NEG know my dig-stick where, old-woman said anger-INST, 1sg somewhere leave-PAST, NEG-anymore find-PURP

binal baka juku wanjabu mukul kuli bawal

⭐wanjabu as BOTH 'where' (embedded Q) AND 'somewhere' (indefinite, l.131); the lost digging-stick


Is your old grandmother well and strong again now, the old man asked kindly, for she was very sick indeed in the last round moon.

Yunu babi mukul ngulkurr junkurr-baja niji? mukul-dingkar-angka janka nyajin, nyulu bambay bajaku kija murru-murru kalbay-muny.

yunu babi mukul ngulkurr junkurr-baja niji? mukul-dingkar-angka janka nyaji-ny, nyulu bambay bajaku kija murru-murru kalbay-muny | your grandmother old good strong-again now? old-man-ERG:pt kindly ask, 3sg sick very moon round last-ABL |

babi mukul junkurr bambay kija murru-murru

POLAR Q (is she well again?); babi grandmother (b121); bambay sick (b116); the last-moon illness


So the old man taught the boy to ask well, the old woman said — who and what, where and when, how and how many and why — for the person who asks the right question, the old man said, already holds the answer in his own hand.

Yala mukul-dingkarangka karrkay binal-bungal ngulkurr nyaji-nka, mukul-jalbu balkan — wanya wanyu, wanjabu wanja-wanja, wanjarr wanjarrinya wanyurrimun-jirr — bama ngulkurr nyaji-nya-ngku, mukul-dingkar balkan, kuku nyungu mara-ba niji karrba.

yala mukul-dingkar-angka karrkay binal-bungal ngulkurr nyaji-nka, mukul-jalbu balka-ny — wanya wanyu, wanjabu wanja-wanja, wanjarr wanjarrinya wanyurrimun-jirr — bama ngulkurr nyaji-nya-ngku, mukul-dingkar balka-ny, kuku nyungu mara-ba niji karrba | thus old-man-ERG:pt child teach good ask-PURP, old-woman said — who what, where when, how how.many why-COMIT — person good ask-SUB-ERG:pt, old-man said, answer(word) his hand-LOC now hold

mukul karrkay binal-bungal wanya wanyu wanjabu wanjarr wanjarrinya wanyurrimun

⭐the whole interrogative set in one line: wanya/wanyu/wanjabu/wanja-wanja/wanjarr/wanjarrinya/wanyurrimun; 'half the answer'


The old woman heard a song from far away and told the children to sit quietly near the fire.

Mukul-jalbu-ngku wulngku kalakalbay-mundu nyajin, karrkay-karrkay-nka baya ngundu-ba janka bunda-nka balkan.

mukul-jalbu-ngku wulngku kalakalbay-mundu nyaji-ny, karrkay-karrkay-nka baya ngundu-ba janka bunda-nka balka-ny | old-woman-ERG:pt song far-ABESS hear-PAST, child-REDUP-DAT fire near-LOC quiet sit-PURP tell-PAST

mukul-jalbu wulngku kalakalbay nyajil karrkay baya ngundu janka bundal balkal

Rule 59: nyaji-l hear; grammar ex.109 wulngku kalakalbay-mundu nyajil; balka-l addressee DAT.


People shouted from down there, so the old man heard them and sent a child to look.

Bama badabada-mundu yirrkan, mukul-dingkarangka jana nyajin, karrkay yungan nyaji-nka.

bama badabada-mundu yirrka-ny, mukul-dingkar-angka jana nyaji-ny, karrkay yunga-ny nyaji-nka | person down.there-ABESS shout-PAST, old-man-ERG:pt them hear-PAST, child send-PAST see-PURP

bama badabada yirrkay mukul-dingkar nyajil karrkay yungal

Patz ex.110 yirrka-n-yirrka-y badabada-mundu; yungal send; nyaji-nka purposive.


The mother called the child from the house and told him the meat was cooked now.

Ngamu-ngku karrkay bayan-ba kunjan, minya wajun niji balkan.

ngamu-ngku karrkay bayan-ba kunja-ny, minya waju-ny niji balka-ny | mother-ERG:pt child house-LOC call-PAST, meat cook-PAST now tell-PAST

ngamu karrkay bayan kunjal minya wajul niji balkal

kunja-l call/invite; waju-l cook; plain ABS object with no fake accusative.


The father asked the mother about food, and the mother said the yams were ready now.

Nganjan-angka ngamu-ndu babajin mayi-ka, ngamungku balkan, bambayal jani niji.

nganjan-angka ngamu-ndu babaji-ny mayi-ka, ngamu-ngku balka-ny, bambayal jani niji | father-ERG:pt mother-LOC ask-PAST food-DAT, mother-ERG:pt say-PAST, yam cooked now

nganjan ngamu babaji mayi balkal bambayal jani niji

Rule 59 ask-frame: person asked LOC, topic DAT; jani 'well cooked/done'.


The old man asked his elder brother about the fishing net, and the brother said the tide was still rising.

Mukul-dingkarangka yaba-nda babajin makarr-ka, yabangku balkan, yira daka-l niji.

mukul-dingkar-angka yaba-nda babaji-ny makarr-ka, yaba-ngku balka-ny, yira daka-l niji | old-man-ERG:pt elder.brother-LOC ask-PAST net-DAT, elder.brother-ERG:pt say-PAST, tide rise-NONPAST now

mukul-dingkar yaba babaji makarr balkal yira dakal niji

babaji-l LOC/DAT ask-frame; yira tide; daka-l rise/climb.


The two old women talked together by the fire while the children stayed quiet.

Mukul-jalbu-bulal balkalawan baya ngundu-ba, karrkay-karrkay janka bundanday.

mukul-jalbu-bulal balka-l-awa-ny baya ngundu-ba, karrkay-karrkay janka bunda-n-bunda-y | old-woman-pair talk-RECIP-PAST fire near-LOC, child-REDUP quiet sit-REDUP-NONPAST

mukul-jalbu bulal balkalaway baya ngundu karrkay janka bundanday

balkalaway 'discuss, talk together'; bundanday fixed partial redup 'stay/sit'.


The boy told the old man in a whisper because the baby was sleeping near the fire.

Karrkay mukul-dingkar-nka yayngkarabu balkan, ngawa warngku wunan baya ngundu-ba.

karrkay mukul-dingkar-nka yayngkar-abu balka-ny, ngawa warngku wuna-ny baya ngundu-ba | child old-man-DAT whisper-INST say-PAST, baby sleep lie-PAST fire near-LOC

karrkay mukul-dingkar yayngkar balkal ngawa warngku wunay baya ngundu

Dictionary example: Nyulu yayngkarabu balkan 'he told in a whisper'.


The big tree fell, a sharp crash came, and the birds flew out of the scrub.

Juku yalbay daran, kadil junkurr kadan, buyi-buyi madja-muny marra-warrin.

juku yalbay dara-ny, kadil junkurr kada-ny, buyi-buyi madja-muny marra-warri-ny | tree big fall-PAST, crash strong come-PAST, bird-REDUP scrub-ABL fly-PAST

juku yalbay daray kadil junkurr kaday buyi madja marra-warri

kadil 'sharp/crashing sound'; daray fall; marra-warri fly.


The old woman heard rustling in the grass and said it might be a snake.

Yanja jikan-ba kadan, mukul-jalbu-ngku nyajin, balkan, nguba jarba.

yanja jikan-ba kada-ny, mukul-jalbu-ngku nyaji-ny, balka-ny, nguba jarba | rustling.noise grass-LOC come-PAST, old-woman-ERG:pt hear-PAST, say-PAST, perhaps snake

yanja jikan kaday mukul-jalbu nyajil balkal nguba jarba

yanja 'rustling noise'; nguba perhaps; jarba snake.


The child heard the dog's bark in the night and called to his mother.

Karrkay-ngku kaya-mu ngangkurr wujurr-ba nyajin, ngamu kunjan.

karrkay-ngku kaya-mu ngangkurr wujurr-ba nyaji-ny, ngamu kunja-ny | child-ERG:pt dog-POSS bark night-LOC hear-PAST, mother call-PAST

karrkay kaya ngangkurr wujurr nyajil ngamu kunjal

ngangkurr 'sound of barking'; nyaji-l hear; kunja-l call.


The young men sang a song by the fire, and the old people heard them from the camp.

Warru-warru wulngku badin baya-nga, mukul-bama-ngku bayan-ba nyajin.

warru-warru wulngku badi-ny baya-nga, mukul-bama-ngku bayan-ba nyaji-ny | young.man-REDUP song sing-PAST fire-LOC, old-person-ERG:pt camp-LOC hear-PAST

warru wulngku badi baya mukul-bama bayan nyajil

wulngku badi 'sing'; baya-nga LOC; nyaji-l hear.


The song expert taught the children the old song so they could sing it correctly.

Mala-burri-ngku karrkay-karrkay wulngku mukul binal-bungan, jana ngulkurr badi-nka.

mala-burri-ngku karrkay-karrkay wulngku mukul binal-bunga-ny, jana ngulkurr badi-nka | expert-song-ERG:pt child-REDUP song old teach-PAST, they good sing-PURP

mala-burri karrkay wulngku mukul binal-bungal jana ngulkurr badi

Patz mala-burri 'good singer/song expert'; binal-bungal teach; badi-nka purposive.


The old man gave the baby his grandfather's name, and the mother said it was good.

Mukul-dingkarangka ngawa burri dalkin kami-mu, ngamungku ngulkurr balkan.

mukul-dingkar-angka ngawa burri dalki-ny kami-mu, ngamu-ngku ngulkurr balka-ny | old-man-ERG:pt baby name give.name-PAST grandfather-POSS, mother-ERG:pt good say-PAST

mukul-dingkar ngawa burri dalkil kami ngamu ngulkurr balkal

dalki-l 'give a name/call by name'; burri name.


The girl forgot the name, asked her grandmother, and the grandmother told it again.

Jalbu buban burri milka-wulan, babi-nda babajin, babi-ngka burri balkan baja.

jalbu buban burri milka-wula-ny, babi-nda babaji-ny, babi-ngka burri balka-ny baja | girl small name forget-PAST, grandmother-LOC ask-PAST, grandmother-ERG:pt name tell-PAST again

jalbu buban burri milka-wulay babi babaji balkal baja

milka-wulay 'forget'; babaji-l ask; baja again as separate clitic.


The child remembered the true story and told it quietly to his younger brother.

Karrkay kuku yukil binalku, yabaju-nku janka balkan baya ngundu-ba.

karrkay kuku yukil binalku, yabaju-nku janka balka-ny baya ngundu-ba | child story true remember, younger.brother-DAT quiet tell-PAST fire near-LOC

karrkay kuku yukil binalku yabaju janka balkal baya ngundu

binalku remember; kuku story/word; yukil true; balka addressee DAT.


The old woman overheard their words behind the house but did not speak.

Mukul-jalbu-ngku jananga kuku yanday-nyajin bayan kudamundu-muny, yamba kari balkan.

mukul-jalbu-ngku jananga kuku yanday-nyaji-ny bayan kudamundu-muny, yamba kari balka-ny | old-woman-ERG:pt their word overhear-PAST house behind-ABL, but NEG speak-PAST

mukul-jalbu jananga kuku yanday-nyajil bayan kudamundu kari balkal

Dictionary usage: yanday-nyajil 'overhear'; kuku words/news.


The old man told the child that a lie is heavy, but the truth is good to carry.

Mukul-dingkar karrkay-nka balkan, jurril kulngkul, yamba manubaja ngulkurr wundi-nka.

mukul-dingkar karrkay-nka balka-ny, jurril kulngkul, yamba manubaja ngulkurr wundi-nka | old-man child-DAT tell-PAST, lie heavy, but truth good carry-PURP

mukul-dingkar karrkay balkal jurril kulngkul manubaja ngulkurr wundil

jurril 'lie/untruth'; manubaja truth; wundi-l carry.


The chatterbox talks all day but does not hear the old people.

Kuku-baka wungar wubulku balkal, yamba mukul-bama kari nyajil.

kuku-baka wungar wubul-ku balka-l, yamba mukul-bama kari nyaji-l | chatterbox day all talk-NONPAST, but old-person NEG hear-NONPAST

kuku-baka wungar wubul balkal yamba mukul-bama kari nyajil

kuku-baka chatterbox; kari before predicator for negation.


The children made too much noise by the fire, and the old woman scolded them and told them to sit quietly.

Karrkay-karrkay nyurra-baka baya-nga, mukul-jalbu-ngku jana murru-kangan, janka bunda-nka balkan.

karrkay-karrkay nyurra-baka baya-nga, mukul-jalbu-ngku jana murru-kanga-ny, janka bunda-nka balka-ny | child-REDUP too.noisy fire-LOC, old-woman-ERG:pt them scold-PAST, quiet sit-PURP tell-PAST

karrkay nyurra-baka baya mukul-jalbu murru-kangal janka bundal balkal

nyurra-baka 'too much people noise'; murru-kanga-l scold; balka complement.


The old man said quiet words are good, but shouting words make trouble.

Mukul-dingkar balkan, kuku janka ngulkurr, yamba kuku yirrka-yirrka buyun.

mukul-dingkar balka-ny, kuku janka ngulkurr, yamba kuku yirrka-yirrka buyun | old-man say-PAST, word quiet good, but word shout-REDUP bad

mukul-dingkar balkal kuku janka ngulkurr yirrkay buyun

janka quiet; yirrka-l shout; kuku word/language/news.


They called you to the song gathering, but you did not want to go.

Jana yununy kunjan wulngku-ku, yamba yundu wawu-kari dunga-nka.

jana yununy kunja-ny wulngku-ku, yamba yundu wawu-kari dunga-nka | they you.ACC call-PAST song-DAT, but you want-PRIV go-PURP

jana yununy kunjal wulngku wawu-kari dungay

kunja-l call/invite; wawu-kari 'not wanting'; wulngku-ku topic/goal.


The mother called you, but you did not hear her because a loud rustling came in the grass.

Ngamu-ngku yununy kunjan, yundu kari nyajin, jikan-ba yanja yalbay kadan.

ngamu-ngku yununy kunja-ny, yundu kari nyaji-ny, jikan-ba yanja yalbay kada-ny | mother-ERG:pt you.ACC call-PAST, you NEG hear-PAST, grass-LOC rustling.noise big come-PAST

ngamu yununy kunjal kari nyajil jikan yanja yalbay kaday

kunja-l call; nyaji-l hear; yanja is kept to its attested rustling-noise domain.


The old man sent a message to the other camp with the fast young man and told him to come back before dark.

Mukul-dingkarangka kuku yungan bayan yindu-nka warru bila-anda, wujurr kada-nyjiku kada-nka balkan.

mukul-dingkar-angka kuku yunga-ny bayan yindu-nka warru bila-anda, wujurr kada-nyjiku kada-nka balka-ny | old-man-ERG:pt word send-PAST camp other-DAT young.man fast-LOC:pt, night come-before come-PURP tell-PAST

mukul-dingkar kuku yungal bayan yindu warru bila wujurr kaday balkal

Patz ex.274 kuku yunga-ny with carrier in LOC; successive -nyjiku before.


News came from the other side, and the old people sat at the camp talking together.

Kuku ngubar-muny kadan, mukul-bama bayan-ba balkalawan bundanday.

kuku ngubar-muny kada-ny, mukul-bama bayan-ba balka-l-awa-ny bunda-n-bunda-y | news other.side-ABL come-PAST, old-person camp-LOC talk-RECIP-PAST stay-REDUP-NONPAST

kuku ngubar kaday mukul-bama bayan balkalaway bundanday

kuku news; ngubar-muny from other side; balkalaway talk together.


The children asked where the song had come from, and the old woman said it came from far away.

Karrkay-karrkay babajin, wulngku wanjamuny kadan, mukul-jalbu-ngku balkan, kalakalbay-mundu.

karrkay-karrkay babaji-ny, wulngku wanjamuny kada-ny, mukul-jalbu-ngku balka-ny, kalakalbay-mundu | child-REDUP ask-PAST, song where.from come-PAST, old-woman-ERG:pt say-PAST, far-ABESS

karrkay babaji wulngku wanjamuny kaday mukul-jalbu balkal kalakalbay

Rule 80 wanjamuny where-from; Rule 59 wulngku hear/song frame.


The old people named every creek and mountain, and the children repeated the names by the fire.

Mukul-bama-ngku bana-jandu manjal wubulku burri balkan, karrkay-karrkay burri balka-balkan baya-nga.

mukul-bama-ngku bana-jandu manjal wubul-ku burri balka-ny, karrkay-karrkay burri balka-l-balka-ny baya-nga | old-person-ERG:pt creek mountain all name tell-PAST, child-REDUP name say-REDUP-PAST fire-LOC

mukul-bama bana-jandu manjal wubul burri balkal karrkay baya

burri name; balka-l say/tell; reduplicated balka-l for repeated saying.


The child with a good memory heard the old words and did not forget them.

Karrkay milka-dandi-ngku kuku mukul nyajin, kari milka-wulan.

karrkay milka-dandi-ngku kuku mukul nyaji-ny, kari milka-wula-ny | child ear-hard-ERG:pt word old hear-PAST, NEG forget-PAST

karrkay milka-dandi kuku mukul nyajil kari milka-wulay

Patz milka-dandi 'good memory'; milka-wulay forget.


The deaf old man watched the speaker's mouth and understood the words.

Mukul-dingkar milka-dudu-ngku bama-mu ngandal nyajin, kuku binalman.

mukul-dingkar milka-dudu-ngku bama-mu ngandal nyaji-ny, kuku binal-ma-ny | old-man deaf-ERG:pt person-POSS mouth see-PAST, word know-INCHO-PAST

mukul-dingkar milka-dudu bama ngandal nyajil kuku binal

milka-dudu 'deaf'; nyaji-l covers perceive/see; binal-ma-ny learn/understand.


The old woman warned the child not to go near the deep water.

Mukul-jalbu-ngku karrkay milka-bakan, baluda dunga-y bana dajali-ka.

mukul-jalbu-ngku karrkay milka-baka-ny, baluda dunga-y bana dajali-ka | old-woman-ERG:pt child warn/remind-PAST, don't go-IMP water deep-DAT

mukul-jalbu karrkay milka-bakal baluda dungay bana dajali

milka-baka-l 'remind, tempt, warn'; baluda prohibitive.


The child forgot the warning and went to the deep water, so the mother called him back.

Karrkay milka-wulan, bana dajali-ka dungan, ngamungku nyunguny kunjan baja.

karrkay milka-wula-ny, bana dajali-ka dunga-ny, ngamu-ngku nyunguny kunja-ny baja | child forget-PAST, water deep-DAT go-PAST, mother-ERG:pt him.ACC call-PAST again

karrkay milka-wulay bana dajali dungay ngamu nyunguny kunjal baja

milka-wulay forget; kunja-l call; baja again as separate clitic.


The young man cut the tree with an axe, and the sharp sound made the birds fly.

Warru-ngku juku yakan warrbi-bu, kadil junkurr kadan, buyi-buyi marra-warrin.

warru-ngku juku yaka-ny warrbi-bu, kadil junkurr kada-ny, buyi-buyi marra-warri-ny | young.man-ERG:pt tree cut-PAST axe-INST, crash strong come-PAST, bird-REDUP fly-PAST

warru juku yakal warrbi kadil junkurr kaday buyi marra-warri

kadil defined as sharp/crashing sound of axe cutting wood or tree falling.


The young man whistled, and the dog came and stayed close beside him.

Warru-ngku kuwimbur yirrkan, kaya kadan, nyulu warru ngundu-ba bundanday.

warru-ngku kuwimbur yirrka-ny, kaya kada-ny, nyulu warru ngundu-ba bunda-n-bunda-y | young.man-ERG:pt whistle shout-PAST, dog come-PAST, it young.man near-LOC stay-REDUP-NONPAST

warru kuwimbur yirrkay kaya kaday ngundu bundanday

Dictionary: kuwimbur yirrkay 'whistle'; dog as potent but S absolutive.


The child whistled from the tree, and the mother heard him from the house and told him to come.

Karrkay juku-ngu kuwimbur yirrkan, ngamungku bayan-ba nyajin, karrkay-nka kada-nka balkan.

karrkay juku-ngu kuwimbur yirrka-ny, ngamu-ngku bayan-ba nyaji-ny, karrkay-nka kada-nka balka-ny | child tree-LOC whistle shout-PAST, mother-ERG:pt house-LOC hear-PAST, child-DAT come-PURP tell-PAST

karrkay juku kuwimbur yirrkay ngamu bayan nyajil kaday balkal

kuwimbur yirrkay; juku-ngu LOC; safer balka-l + purposive complement 'tell to come'.


People made too much noise at night, and the old man told them to be quiet because the children were sleeping.

Bama nyurra-baka wujurr-ba, mukul-dingkarangka jana-nka balkan, janka, karrkay-karrkay warngku wunay.

bama nyurra-baka wujurr-ba, mukul-dingkar-angka jana-nka balka-ny, janka, karrkay-karrkay warngku wuna-y | person too.noisy night-LOC, old-man-ERG:pt them-DAT tell-PAST, quiet, child-REDUP sleep lie-NONPAST

bama nyurra-baka wujurr mukul-dingkar jana balkal janka karrkay warngku wunay

nyurra-baka too much noise; balka addressee DAT; warngku wunay sleep.


The child asked the song expert about the old song, and the expert sang the first line.

Karrkay-ngku mala-burri-nda babajin wulngku mukul-ku, mala-burri-ngku wulngku badin ngadiku.

karrkay-ngku mala-burri-nda babaji-ny wulngku mukul-ku, mala-burri-ngku wulngku badi-ny ngadiku | child-ERG:pt song.expert-LOC ask-PAST song old-DAT, song.expert-ERG:pt song sing-PAST first

karrkay mala-burri babaji wulngku mukul badi ngadiku

Patz ex.77 mala-X-LOC ask about X-DAT; mala-burri song expert.


The old woman said every language has its own words, but a good listener hears carefully.

Mukul-jalbu balkan, kuku yindu-mu kuku yindu, yamba bama milka-dandi-ngku ngulkurr nyajil.

mukul-jalbu balka-ny, kuku yindu-mu kuku yindu, yamba bama milka-dandi-ngku ngulkurr nyaji-l | old-woman say-PAST, language other-POSS word other, but person ear-hard-ERG:pt good hear-NONPAST

mukul-jalbu balkal kuku yindu bama milka-dandi ngulkurr nyajil

kuku covers language/word; milka-dandi good memory/ear-hard; nyaji-l perceive.


The children learn the language by hearing the old people's words every day.

Karrkay-karrkay kuku binalman, wungar nyubun-nyubun mukul-bama-mu kuku nyajin.

karrkay-karrkay kuku binal-ma-ny, wungar nyubun-nyubun mukul-bama-mu kuku nyaji-ny | child-REDUP language learn-PAST, day every old-person-POSS word hear-PAST

karrkay kuku binal wungar nyubun mukul-bama nyajil

binal-ma-ny learn; repeated hearing as language-learning frame.


The old man told them not to laugh at a person who speaks a different language.

Mukul-dingkarangka jana-nka balkan, kari bama kuku yindu-mu yajarril.

mukul-dingkar-angka jana-nka balka-ny, kari bama kuku yindu-mu yajarri-l | old-man-ERG:pt them-DAT tell-PAST, NEG person language other-POSS laugh.at-NONPAST

mukul-dingkar jana balkal kari bama kuku yindu yajarril

yajarri-l laugh; kari negation before predicate; respect-language sentence.


The boss talked with the young men about the net and the spear.

Maja warru-warru-nji balkalawan, makarr-ka kalka-ka balkan.

maja warru-warru-nji balka-l-awa-ny, makarr-ka kalka-ka balka-ny | boss young.man-REDUP-COMIT talk.together-PAST, net-DAT spear-DAT speak-PAST

maja warru balkalaway makarr kalka balkal

Patz ex.91 boss talking with young men; topics as DAT.


People shouted from down there because the crocodile was lying in the water, and the children ran back to the camp.

Bama badabada-mundu yirrkan, bilngkumu bana-nga wunan, karrkay-karrkay bayan-ka wanarrin.

bama badabada-mundu yirrka-ny, bilngkumu bana-nga wuna-ny, karrkay-karrkay bayan-ka wanarri-ny | person down.there-ABESS shout-PAST, crocodile water-LOC lie-PAST, child-REDUP camp-DAT run-PAST

bama badabada yirrkay bilngkumu bana wunay karrkay bayan wanarri

yirrka-l shout; bilngkumu crocodile; bana-nga LOC; wanarri run.


The old woman heard the baby cry and came quickly to pick him up.

Mukul-jalbu-ngku ngawa badi-nya nyajin, bila kadan, ngawa manin.

mukul-jalbu-ngku ngawa badi-nya nyaji-ny, bila kada-ny, ngawa mani-ny | old-woman-ERG:pt baby cry-SUB hear-PAST, fast come-PAST, baby get-PAST

mukul-jalbu ngawa badi nyajil bila kaday manil

badi cry; -nya subordinate event; nyaji-l hear; mani-l get.


The children sang the old song softly, and the old people listened well.

Karrkay-karrkay wulngku mukul janka badin, mukul-bama-ngku ngulkurr nyajin.

karrkay-karrkay wulngku mukul janka badi-ny, mukul-bama-ngku ngulkurr nyaji-ny | child-REDUP song old quietly sing-PAST, old-person-ERG:pt good hear-PAST

karrkay wulngku mukul janka badi mukul-bama ngulkurr nyajil

wulngku badi sing; janka quiet; nyaji-l hear.


The old man said every place has a name and told the children not to forget the names.

Mukul-dingkar balkan, bubu wubulku burri-jirr, karrkay-karrkay-nka balkan, baluda burri milka-wula.

mukul-dingkar balka-ny, bubu wubul-ku burri-jirr, karrkay-karrkay-nka balka-ny, baluda burri milka-wula | old-man say-PAST, country/place all name-COMIT, child-REDUP-DAT tell-PAST, don't name forget

mukul-dingkar balkal bubu wubul burri karrkay baluda milka-wulay

burri name; bubu place/country; baluda + verb for prohibition.


The girl asked how many songs the grandmother knew, and the grandmother said many.

Jalbu babi-nda babajin, wulngku wanjarrinya yundu binal, babi-ngka balkan, wubul.

jalbu babi-nda babaji-ny, wulngku wanjarrinya yundu binal, babi-ngka balka-ny, wubul | girl grandmother-LOC ask-PAST, song how.many you know, grandmother-ERG:pt say-PAST, many

jalbu babi babaji wulngku wanjarrinya binal balkal wubul

Rule 80 wanjarrinya how many; babaji-l person LOC; wulngku song.


The old woman asked the boy why he had shouted beside the sleeping baby.

Mukul-jalbu-ngku karrkay-anda babajin, wanyurrimun yundu yirrkan ngawa warngku wuna-nya ngundu-ba?

mukul-jalbu-ngku karrkay-anda babaji-ny, wanyurrimun yundu yirrka-ny ngawa warngku wuna-nya ngundu-ba | old-woman-ERG:pt child-LOC ask-PAST, why you shout-PAST baby sleep lie-SUB near-LOC

mukul-jalbu karrkay babaji wanyurrimun yirrkay ngawa warngku wunay ngundu

Rule 80 why = wanyurrimun; babaji-l person LOC; yirrka-l shout.


The child lied first but later told the whole truth to the old man.

Karrkay warmbijin ngadiku, yamba manubaja narmba mukul-dingkar-nka balkan baja.

karrkay warmbiji-ny ngadiku, yamba manubaja narmba mukul-dingkar-nka balka-ny baja | child lie-PAST first, but truth whole old-man-DAT tell-PAST again/later

karrkay warmbiji ngadiku manubaja narmba mukul-dingkar balkal baja

warmbiji 'lie/prevaricate'; manubaja truth; balka addressee DAT.


Do not trick your younger brother with bad words, the old woman said.

Baluda yabaju jurril-bunga kuku buyun-bu, mukul-jalbu balkan.

baluda yabaju jurril-bunga kuku buyun-bu, mukul-jalbu balka-ny | don't younger.brother trick/lie.to word bad-INST, old-woman say-PAST

baluda yabaju jurril-bungal kuku buyun mukul-jalbu balkal

jurril-bunga-l 'trick by lying'; baluda prohibition; bad words as instrument.


The old man believed the boy because the boy spoke quietly and truthfully.

Mukul-dingkarangka karrkay manubaja-bungan, karrkay janka manubaja balkan.

mukul-dingkar-angka karrkay manubaja-bunga-ny, karrkay janka manubaja balka-ny | old-man-ERG:pt child believe-PAST, child quiet truth speak-PAST

mukul-dingkar karrkay manubaja-bungal janka manubaja balkal

manubaja-bungal believe; manubaja truth; janka quiet.


The old people said that true words must be held, heard, and given to the children.

Mukul-bama balkan, kuku yukil karrba-nka, nyaji-nka, karrkay-karrkay-nka daji-nka.

mukul-bama balka-ny, kuku yukil karrba-nka, nyaji-nka, karrkay-karrkay-nka daji-nka | old-person say-PAST, word true hold-PURP, hear-PURP, child-REDUP-DAT give-PURP

mukul-bama balkal kuku yukil karrbal nyajil karrkay dajil

Didactic lexical summary: true words are held/heard/given; all verbs attested.


People hold true words, hear the old people, and tell the children; that is the way of the country.

Bama-ngku kuku yukil karrbal, mukul-bama nyajil, karrkay-karrkay-nka balkal; yinya yalaku bubu-mu.

bama-ngku kuku yukil karrba-l, mukul-bama nyaji-l, karrkay-karrkay-nka balka-l; yinya yalaku bubu-mu | person-ERG word true hold-NONPAST, old-person hear-NONPAST, child-REDUP-DAT tell-NONPAST; that way country-POSS

kuku yukil karrbal mukul-bama nyajil karrkay balkal yalaku bubu

Batch capstone avoids unsafe imperatives: karrba-l hold, nyaji-l hear, balka-l tell; yalaku way/custom.


The old man had a good feed of meat, and then he slept in the shade.

Mukul-dingkar minya-nga nuka-jin, wabarr-ba wunan.

mukul-dingkar minya-nga nuka-ji-ny, wabarr-ba wuna-ny | old-man meat-LOC eat-APASS-PAST, shade-LOC lie-PAST

Patz §4.2.4.4 ex.365b/385: A as S, object in LOC, simple nuka-ji-ny = full/good feed.


Mother shared out all the food at the camp.

ngamu mayi-nga wambi-ji-ny bayan-ba | mother food-LOC share.out-APASS-PAST camp-LOC

Patz ex.374: Ngamu mayi-nga wambi-ji-ny 'Mother shared out all the food'.


Grandmother shared out the yams, and the children ate.

Babi wukay-mba wambi-jin, karrkay-karrkay nukan.

babi wukay-mba wambi-ji-ny, karrkay-karrkay nuka-ny | grandmother yam-LOC share.out-APASS-PAST, child-REDUP eat-PAST

Antipassive object in LOC; wukay y-final LOC = -mba (Rule 21d).


The woman took over my house completely.

Jalbu ngayku-wun-bu bayan-ba ngunja-jin.

jalbu ngayku-wun-bu bayan-ba ngunja-ji-ny | woman I-POSS-LOC house-LOC take.over-APASS-PAST

Patz ex.375: jalbu ngayku-wun-bu bayan-ba ngunja-ji-ny 'took over my house lock stock and barrel'.


The dog was foraging through the food near the fire.

Kaya mayi-burr ngunja-n-ngunja-ji baya ngundu-ba.

kaya mayi-burr ngunja-n-ngunja-ji-y baya ngundu-ba | dog food-PERL forage-REDUP-APASS-NONPAST fire near-LOC

Patz ex.372: mayi-burr ngunja-n-ngunja-ji-y; PERL expresses 'through' in Nyungkul.


The children keep eating at the food all day.

Karrkay-karrkay mayi-nga nuka-n-nuka-ji wungar wubulku.

karrkay-karrkay mayi-nga nuka-n-nuka-ji-y wungar wubul-ku | child-REDUP food-LOC eat-REDUP-APASS-NONPAST day all-EMPH

Patz l.971 and text line 39/48: reduplicated nuka-ji for ongoing/generalized eating.


The men keep spearing around for fish at the river.

Dingkar-dingkar kuyu-ngu dama-n-dama-ji wawubaja-nga.

dingkar-dingkar kuyu-ngu dama-n-dama-ji-y wawubaja-nga | man-REDUP fish-LOC spear-REDUP-APASS-NONPAST river-LOC

Generalized antipassive modelled on Patz ex.366-368; kuyu u-final LOC = -ngu.


The old woman is looking around for yams on the sandy ground.

Mukul-jalbu wukay-mba nubi-nubi-ji bubu jukar-a.

mukul-jalbu wukay-mba nubi-nubi-ji-y bubu jukar-a | old-woman yam-LOC search.for-REDUP-APASS-NONPAST ground sandy-LOC

Patz ex.368: Jalbu wukay-mba nubi-nubi-ji-y 'looking around for yam'.


The woman peeped around in the house but did not enter.

Jalbu bayan-ba nuri-nuri-ji, kari walan.

jalbu bayan-ba nuri-nuri-ji-y, kari wala-ny | woman house-LOC peep-REDUP-APASS-NONPAST, NEG enter-PAST

Patz ex.369: nuri-nuri-ji-y in houses; ordinary negation for second clause.


That child keeps hitting at the dogs around here.

yinya karrkay kaya-nda kuni-n-kuni-ji-y | that child dog-LOC:pt hit-REDUP-APASS-NONPAST

Patz ex.366 exactly: kaya-nda kuni-n-kuni-ji-y, generalized hitting at dogs.


The young men keep hitting at the log with sticks.

Warru-warru juku-ngu kuni-n-kuni-ji jaba-bu.

warru-warru juku-ngu kuni-n-kuni-ji-y jaba-bu | young.man-REDUP log-LOC hit-REDUP-APASS-NONPAST stick-INST

Generalized antipassive; inanimate instrument remains instrumental, object is LOC.


The man went and threw curses everywhere.

bama dunga-ny bunjurri-ji-ny | person go-PAST throw.curse-APASS-PAST

Patz ex.367: dunga-ny bunjurri-ji-ny, target omitted and generalized.


The child had a good feed of fish and then sat quietly.

Karrkay kuyu-ngu nuka-jin, janka bundan.

karrkay kuyu-ngu nuka-ji-ny, janka bunda-ny | child fish-LOC eat-APASS-PAST, quiet sit-PAST

Simple nuka-ji-ny total-effect antipassive; kuyu u-final LOC = -ngu.


The two boys keep eating at the yams near the fire.

Karrkay-bulal wukay-mba nuka-n-nuka-ji baya ngundu-ba.

karrkay-bulal wukay-mba nuka-n-nuka-ji-y baya ngundu-ba | child-pair yam-LOC eat-REDUP-APASS-NONPAST fire near-LOC

Reduplicated antipassive for ongoing eating; object demoted to LOC.


mukul-bama minya-nga wambi-ji-ny | old-person meat-LOC share.out-APASS-PAST

Patz ex.374 pattern transferred from mayi to minya; total distribution of the patient.


Mother shared out the fish to the children.

Ngamu kuyu-ngu wambi-jin karrkay-karrkay-nka.

ngamu kuyu-ngu wambi-ji-ny karrkay-karrkay-nka | mother fish-LOC share.out-APASS-PAST child-REDUP-DAT

Object demoted to LOC; recipient remains DAT.


The young man had a feed of food and then kept eating more.

Warru mayi-nga nuka-jin, baja nuka-n-nuka-ji.

warru mayi-nga nuka-ji-ny, baja nuka-n-nuka-ji-y | young.man food-LOC eat-APASS-PAST, again eat-REDUP-APASS-NONPAST

Contrasts simple total-effect nuka-ji-ny with reduplicated ongoing nuka-n-nuka-ji-y.


The dog was foraging around in the camp food.

Kaya mayi-nga ngunja-n-ngunja-ji bayan-ba.

kaya mayi-nga ngunja-n-ngunja-ji-y bayan-ba | dog food-LOC forage-REDUP-APASS-NONPAST camp-LOC

Patz ex.372 pattern with LOC rather than PERL.


The woman searched around for yams but got nothing.

Jalbu wukay-mba nubi-nubi-ji, kari mani.

jalbu wukay-mba nubi-nubi-ji-y, kari mani | woman yam-LOC search.for-REDUP-APASS-NONPAST, NEG get

Patz ex.368; negated result uses attested kari mani pattern.


The children searched around for the dog in the grass.

Karrkay-karrkay kaya-nda nubi-nubi-ji jikan-ba.

karrkay-karrkay kaya-nda nubi-nubi-ji-y jikan-ba | child-REDUP dog-LOC:pt search.for-REDUP-APASS-NONPAST grass-LOC

Animate searched-for NP in potent LOC; generalized searching modelled on ex.368.


The old woman peeped around in the house and did not go inside.

Mukul-jalbu bayan-ba nuri-nuri-ji, kari walan.

mukul-jalbu bayan-ba nuri-nuri-ji-y, kari wala-ny | old-woman house-LOC peep-REDUP-APASS-NONPAST, NEG enter-PAST


Grandmother searched around in the bag for yams.

babi wukay-mba nubi-nubi-ji-y balji-nga | grandmother yam-LOC search.for-REDUP-APASS-NONPAST bag-LOC

Object demoted to LOC; separate location also LOC.


The men kept spearing around for fish but caught nothing.

Dingkar-dingkar kuyu-ngu dama-n-dama-ji, yamba kari mani.

dingkar-dingkar kuyu-ngu dama-n-dama-ji-y, yamba kari mani | man-REDUP fish-LOC spear-REDUP-APASS-NONPAST, but NEG get

Generalized action on non-individuated fish; negative result overt.


The boy kept spearing around for fish from the edge of the water.

Karrkay kuyu-ngu dama-n-dama-ji kalka-bu bana karangkal.

karrkay kuyu-ngu dama-n-dama-ji-y kalka-bu bana karangkal | child fish-LOC spear-REDUP-APASS-NONPAST spear-INST water alongside

Object demoted to LOC; instrument retained as INST.


The man kept spearing around for wallabies all day.

Dingkar kadar-a dama-n-dama-ji wungar wubulku.

dingkar kadar-a dama-n-dama-ji-y wungar wubul-ku | man wallaby-LOC spear-REDUP-APASS-NONPAST day all-EMPH

Generalized/non-individuated hunting; kadar single-r LOC = -a.


The children keep laughing about the dog.

karrkay-karrkay kaya-nka yajarri-n-yajarri-ji-y | child-REDUP dog-DAT laugh-REDUP-APASS-NONPAST

Existing corpus/Patz note includes yajarri-n-yajarri-ji with dog-DAT as friendly laugh-about.


The two old women keep laughing about the young men in a friendly way.

mukul-jalbu-bulal warru-warru-nka yajarri-n-yajarri-ji-y | old-woman-pair young.man-REDUP-DAT laugh-REDUP-APASS-NONPAST

Communication-like intransitivized laugh-about pattern; goal/target as DAT.


Karrkay ngamu-ndu mayi-ka walngkurrijin.

karrkay ngamu-ndu mayi-ka walngkurriji-ny | child mother-LOC:pt food-DAT pester.for-PAST

Patz ex.377: person pestered LOC, thing requested DAT.


The little dog pestered the old woman for meat.

Kaya buban mukul-jalbu-nda minya-ka walngkurrijin.

kaya buban mukul-jalbu-nda minya-ka walngkurriji-ny | dog small old-woman-LOC:pt meat-DAT pester.for-PAST

kaya buban mukul-jalbu minya walngkurriji

Fixed walngkurriji-y frame from Patz §4.2.4.4; target LOC, requested thing DAT.


dingkar ngayku-ndu mayi-ka kunjaji-ny | man I-LOC:pt food-DAT ask.for-PAST

Patz ex.376b: Dingkar ngayku-ndu mayi-ka kunjaji-ny.


Mukul-jalbu nganjan-nda kuyu-ku kunjajin.

mukul-jalbu nganjan-nda kuyu-ku kunjaji-ny | old-woman father-LOC:pt fish-DAT ask.for-PAST

kunjaji-y fixed intransitive frame: person asked LOC, thing requested DAT.


The boss asked the young man about the meat.

maja warru-nda minya-ka babaji-ny | boss young.man-LOC:pt meat-DAT ask.about-PAST

Patz ex.378 / Rule 59: person asked LOC, topic DAT.


ngamu karrkay-anda baya-ka babaji-ny | mother child-LOC:pt fire-DAT ask.about-PAST

babaji-y fixed intransitive speech frame; person LOC, topic DAT.


The child asked grandmother about the old song.

Karrkay babi-nda wulngku mukul-ku babajin.

karrkay babi-nda wulngku mukul-ku babaji-ny | child grandmother-LOC:pt song old-DAT ask.about-PAST

Rule 59: topic NP carries DAT on the final modifier.


The woman shared out the food, and everyone ate.

Jalbu mayi-nga wambi-jin, bama wubulku nukan.

jalbu mayi-nga wambi-ji-ny, bama wubul-ku nuka-ny | woman food-LOC share.out-APASS-PAST, person all-EMPH eat-PAST

Total-effect wambi-ji-ny; result clause shows complete distribution.


People kept eating at meat in the shade while the rain fell.

Bama minya-nga nuka-n-nuka-ji wabarr-ba, kaba daran.

bama minya-nga nuka-n-nuka-ji-y wabarr-ba, kaba dara-ny | person meat-LOC eat-REDUP-APASS-NONPAST shade-LOC, rain fall-PAST

Reduplicated antipassive; object LOC and A as S.


The dog kept foraging around in the food near the fire.

Kaya mayi-nga ngunja-n-ngunja-ji baya ngundu-ba.

kaya mayi-nga ngunja-n-ngunja-ji-y baya ngundu-ba | dog food-LOC forage-REDUP-APASS-NONPAST fire near-LOC

Same Patz ex.372 generalized-forage pattern; LOC rather than PERL.


The old woman peeped around in the house, and the children did not see her.

Mukul-jalbu bayan-ba nuri-nuri-ji, karrkay-karrkay kari nyajin.

mukul-jalbu bayan-ba nuri-nuri-ji-y, karrkay-karrkay kari nyaji-ny | old-woman house-LOC peep-REDUP-APASS-NONPAST, child-REDUP NEG see-PAST

mukul-jalbu bayan nuril karrkay kari nyajil

Patz ex.369 pattern; second clause uses attested negated perception.


The men searched around for the net in the scrub.

Dingkar-dingkar makarr-ba nubi-nubi-ji madja-nga.

dingkar-dingkar makarr-ba nubi-nubi-ji-y madja-nga | man-REDUP net-LOC search.for-REDUP-APASS-NONPAST scrub-LOC

Object demoted to LOC; makarr has rr so LOC = -ba.


The boy searched around for the spear at the creek.

Karrkay kalka-nga nubi-nubi-ji yilki-nga.

karrkay kalka-nga nubi-nubi-ji-y yilki-nga | child spear-LOC search.for-REDUP-APASS-NONPAST creek-LOC

Object demoted to LOC; kalka/yilki a/i-final LOC = -nga.


The old woman searched around for yams at the creek.

Mukul-jalbu wukay-mba nubi-nubi-ji yilki-nga.

mukul-jalbu wukay-mba nubi-nubi-ji-y yilki-nga | old-woman yam-LOC search.for-REDUP-APASS-NONPAST creek-LOC

Patz ex.368 pattern with explicit place LOC.


The children kept hitting at the grass with sticks.

Karrkay-karrkay jikan-ba kuni-n-kuni-ji jaba-bu.

karrkay-karrkay jikan-ba kuni-n-kuni-ji-y jaba-bu | child-REDUP grass-LOC hit-REDUP-APASS-NONPAST stick-INST

Generalized hit-at action; inanimate instrument remains INST.


The young man took over the house completely.

warru bayan-ba ngunja-ji-ny | young.man house-LOC take.over-APASS-PAST


The two women took over the ground oven completely.

jalbu-bulal kurrma-nga ngunja-ji-ny | woman-pair ground.oven-LOC take.over-APASS-PAST

Simple antipassive total-effect with object LOC.


ngamu wukay-mba wambi-ji-ny | mother yam-LOC share.out-APASS-PAST

Patz ex.374 wambi-ji-ny transferred to another food noun; LOC allomorph checked.


The children kept eating at the yams after the rain.

Karrkay-karrkay wukay-mba nuka-n-nuka-ji kaba-muny.

karrkay-karrkay wukay-mba nuka-n-nuka-ji-y kaba-muny | child-REDUP yam-LOC eat-REDUP-APASS-NONPAST rain-ABL

Reduplicated antipassive; wukay as non-individuated object in LOC.


The men kept spearing around for fish while the tide was rising.

Dingkar-dingkar kuyu-ngu dama-n-dama-ji, yira daka-l.

dingkar-dingkar kuyu-ngu dama-n-dama-ji-y, yira daka-l | man-REDUP fish-LOC spear-REDUP-APASS-NONPAST, tide rise-NONPAST

Generalized antipassive hunting with temporal setting.


The people kept eating at the food all day.

Bama mayi-nga nuka-n-nuka-jin wungar wubulku.

bama mayi-nga nuka-n-nuka-ji-ny wungar wubul-ku | person food-LOC eat-REDUP-APASS-PAST day all-EMPH

Text line 39/48 has past nuka-nuka-ji-ny; generalized past action.


The old people shared out the food and gave it to the children.

Mukul-bama mayi-nga wambi-jin, karrkay-karrkay-nka dajin.

mukul-bama mayi-nga wambi-ji-ny, karrkay-karrkay-nka daji-ny | old-person food-LOC share.out-APASS-PAST, child-REDUP-DAT give-PAST

wambi-ji-ny total distribution plus ordinary dative recipient clause.


The old man said, people eat around at food, but a person eats one piece of food directly.

Mukul-dingkar balkan, bama mayi-nga nuka-n-nuka-ji, yamba bama-ngku mayi nyubun nuka-l.

mukul-dingkar balka-ny, bama mayi-nga nuka-n-nuka-ji-y, yamba bama-ngku mayi nyubun nuka-l | old-man say-PAST, person food-LOC eat-REDUP-APASS-NONPAST, but person-ERG food one eat-NONPAST

mukul-dingkar balkal bama mayi nukal nyubun

Explicit contrast: antipassive A=S/O=LOC vs transitive A=ERG/O=ABS.


ngayu baya muja-ny muduwajuny | I firewood gather-PAST dawn

Dictionary/errata: baya covers fire/firewood; Patz firewood examples use muja-l with baya.


Grandmother took the child to gather firewood.

babi-ngka karrkay wundi-ny baya muja-nka | grandmother-ERG child take-PAST firewood gather-PURP

Patz purpose model: Kami-ngka karrkay wundi-l, baya muja-nka.


The old man made fire with a fire-stick.

mukul-dingkar-angka jimal dama-ny | old-man-ERG fire-stick make.fire-PAST

Dictionary jimal / jimal dama-l: fire-stick and make fire with a fire-stick.


They twirled the fire-drill, and smoke came.

jana dama-murni-ny, kubu kada-ny | they fire.drill-twirl-PAST smoke come-PAST

Errata fire list: dama-murni-l 'twirl a fire-drill'; kubu 'smoke'.


The woman started the fire before cooking food.

Jalbu-ngku baya jakalamban, mayi waju-nyjiku.

jalbu-ngku baya jakalamba-ny, mayi waju-nyjiku | woman-ERG fire start-PAST food cook-SUCC

Errata confirms jakalamba-l 'start a fire' and waju-l 'cook/burn'.


ngayu baya waju-l, yundu wumbul-ma-nka | I fire light-NONPAST you hot-INCH-PURP

Patz direct model: Ngayu baya waju-l ... yundu wumbul-ma-nka.


baya waju-l-waju, kiway kada-nyji | fire burn-REDUP-IMP cold come-PRECAUT

Patz direct precautionary model: Baya waju-l-waju, kiway kada-nyji.


jujubala waju, jarramali kada-nyji | ironwood burn.IMP thunder come-PRECAUT

Patz precautionary fire line: Jujubala waju, jarramali kada-nyji; errata glosses jarramali as thunder.


The children became warm near the big fire.

Karrkay-karrkay wumbulmanin baya yalbay ngundu-ba.

karrkay-karrkay wumbul-ma-ny baya yalbay ngundu-ba | child-REDUP hot-INCH-PAST fire big near-LOC

Patz fire-warm model plus regular ngundu-ba 'near'.


The flames rose high, and smoke went through the camp.

Wula wangkar-a wandin, kubu bayan-burr dungan.

wula wangkar-a wandi-ny, kubu bayan-burr dunga-ny | flame high-LOC rise-PAST smoke camp-PERL go-PAST

Errata fire list: wula flames, kubu smoke; Patz PERL -burr for through/along.


The coals were hot, but the ash was cool.

ngunjil wumbul, yamba bajar ngiki | coals hot, but ash cool

Errata fire list: ngunjil charcoal/coals, bajar ash, wumbul hot.


The children sat near the fire while rain fell.

Karrkay-karrkay baya ngundu-ba bundan, kaba daran.

karrkay-karrkay baya ngundu-ba bunda-ny, kaba dara-ny | child-REDUP fire near-LOC sit-PAST, rain fall-PAST

Common corpus/Patz locative frame baya ngundu-ba; attested kaba dara-ny rain-fell.


juku duna kari waju-ny | wood wet NEG burn-PAST

Errata: duna/yaru are the wet terms; waju-l covers intransitive burn.


juku marral ngulkurr waju-l | wood dry good burn-NONPAST

Dictionary/errata: marral dry; waju-l burn/cook.


They covered the fire with sand before they left.

Jana baya nandan jukar-bu, dunga-nyjiku.

jana baya nanda-ny jukar-bu, dunga-nyjiku | they fire cover-PAST sand-INST go-SUCC

Existing corpus fire-safety model: baya nanda-ny jukar-bu before departure.


The women dug a ground oven near the camp.

Jalbu-jalbu-ngku kurrma bakan bayan ngundu-ba.

jalbu-jalbu-ngku kurrma baka-ny bayan ngundu-ba | woman-REDUP-ERG ground.oven dig-PAST camp near-LOC

Patz earth-oven sequence and existing corpus kurrma baka-ny pattern.


They lit the ground oven and put the meat in it.

Jana kurrma wajun, minya kurrma-nga yijarrin.

jana kurrma waju-ny, minya kurrma-nga yijarri-ny | they ground.oven light-PAST meat ground.oven-LOC put-PAST

Patz lines 64-65: kurrma waju-nyu; kurrma-nga yijarri-nya minya.


They roasted the meat in the ground oven.

jana minya dinda-ny kurrma-nga | they meat roast-PAST ground.oven-LOC

Patz earth-oven narrative: minya, kurrma-nga dinda-ny.


jana buyku yijarri-ny minya wangkar-a | they paperbark put-PAST meat top-LOC

Patz line 66: buyku covers/sits on top of the meat in the oven.


They left the ground oven in the ground for a long time.

Jana kurrma bawan bubu-ngu wungar kalbay.

jana kurrma bawa-ny bubu-ngu wungar kalbay | they ground.oven leave-PAST ground-LOC time long

Patz line 67: Bubu-ngu bundanda-nya, bawa-nya.


When the meat was cooked, they took the meat out.

minya waju-ny, jana minya walnga-ny | meat cook-PAST, they meat take.out-PAST


They dug the ground oven open again, and a good smell came.

Jana kurrma bakan baja, nganja ngulkurr kadan.

jana kurrma baka-ny baja, nganja ngulkurr kada-ny | they ground.oven dig-PAST again smell good come-PAST

jana kurrma bakal baja nganja ngulkurr kaday

Existing kurrma baka-ny baja model; errata confirms nganja taste/smell.


kuyu ngulkurr waju-ny ngunjil wumbul-ba | fish good cook-PAST coals hot-LOC

Errata: ngunjil coals, wumbul hot; waju-l cook/burn.


The old woman roasted the zamia nuts before pounding them.

Mukul-jalbu-ngku marra dindan, duda-nyjiku.

mukul-jalbu-ngku marra dinda-ny, duda-nyjiku | old-woman-ERG zamia.nut roast-PAST pound-SUCC

Patz direct model: marra dinda-l, duda-nyjiku.


Maybe they boil the fish, maybe they roast it.

nguba jana kuyu nyama-l, nguba dinda-l | maybe they fish boil-NONPAST, maybe roast-NONPAST

Patz direct model: Nguba ... kuyu nyama-l, nguba dinda-l.


ngayu kuyu waju-l-urr wundi-l-da | I fish cook-NONPAST-FIRST take-NONPAST-THEN

Patz direct sequencing line: Ngayu kuyu waju-l-urr wundi-l-da.


The ground oven was still hot in the ground.

kurrma bubu-ngu wumbul warngku | ground.oven ground-LOC hot still

Earth-oven sequence leaves kurrma in bubu-ngu; wumbul 'hot'.


The meat in the ground oven was not burnt.

minya kurrma-nga kari jirra | meat ground.oven-LOC NEG burnt

Errata fire list: jirra 'burnt'; ordinary kari negation.


The food in the ground oven was well cooked.

mayi kurrma-nga jani | food ground.oven-LOC well.cooked

Errata: jani is legitimate only in the cooking sense 'well cooked/done'.


The children sat near the ground oven to eat.

Karrkay-karrkay kurrma ngundu-ba bundan, nuka-nka.

karrkay-karrkay kurrma ngundu-ba bunda-ny, nuka-nka | child-REDUP ground.oven near-LOC sit-PAST eat-PURP

Errata warns that 'wait' has no clean single verb; use bunda-l 'sit' with purpose -nka.


Jalbu-jalbu-ngku diburr nyurrban damba-ka.

jalbu-jalbu-ngku diburr nyurrba-ny damba-ka | woman-REDUP-ERG seed grind-PAST damper-DAT

Existing accepted model: diburr nyurrba-ny damba-ka.


maral-ngku wukay nyurrba-ny kulji-bu | girl-ERG yam grind-PAST stone-INST

Dictionary/errata: nyurrba-l grind; ordinary instrumental -bu.


jalbu-ngku damba dingka-ny | woman-ERG damper knead-PAST

Patz line 5431 uses mayi damba dingka-nyjiku 'before kneading damper'.


Mother stirred the honey bread, and the honey bread had a good taste.

Ngamu-ngku kawar murnin, kawar nganja ngulkurr.

ngamu-ngku kawar murni-ny, kawar nganja ngulkurr | mother-ERG honey.bread stir-PAST, honey.bread taste good

Errata cooking list includes kawar honey bread, murni-l stir/rub/twist, nganja taste/smell.


The honey was good, and the honey bread was good.

wunba ngulkurr, kawar ngulkurr | honey good, honey.bread good

Dictionary/errata: wunba honey; kawar honey bread.


minya jani wandul-ji ngulkurr | meat well.cooked fat-COMIT good

Errata: wandul fat, jani well cooked; comitative -ji is productive.


wukay kulbul ngulkurr waju-ny | yam ripe good cook-PAST

Errata cooking list: kulbul ripe, wukay yam; waju-l cook.


Jana wukay kulbul nyurrban, damba bungan.

jana wukay kulbul nyurrba-ny, damba bunga-ny | they yam ripe grind-PAST, damper make-PAST

Nyurrba-l grind plus bunga-l make; food terms from errata.


The old woman ground again; the children were hungry.

Mukul-jalbu nyurrban baja, karrkay-karrkay dakwuy.

mukul-jalbu nyurrba-ny baja, karrkay-karrkay dakwuy | old-woman grind-PAST again, child-REDUP hungry

mukul-jalbu nyurrbal baja karrkay dakwuy

Errata: dakwuy hungry; baja as separate 'again' clitic.


They ground the seeds, made damper, and cooked it on the fire.

Jana diburr nyurrban, damba bungan, baya-nga wajun.

jana diburr nyurrba-ny, damba bunga-ny, baya-nga waju-ny | they seed grind-PAST, damper make-PAST, fire-LOC cook-PAST

jana diburr nyurrbal damba bungal baya wajul

Combines attested grinding/damper terms with baya-nga cooking location.


ngamu kuyu jani-nga wambi-ji-ny | mother fish well.cooked-LOC share.out-APASS-PAST

Patz wambi-ji-ny total-distribution antipassive; jani only in cooking sense.


Karrkay-karrkay dakwuy nukan baya ngundu-ba.

karrkay-karrkay dakwuy nuka-ny baya ngundu-ba | child-REDUP hungry eat-PAST fire near-LOC

Errata: dakwuy hungry; common fire-location frame baya ngundu-ba.


The old person ate, and then everyone ate.

Mukul-bama nukan, baja bama wubulku nukan.

mukul-bama nuka-ny, baja bama wubul-ku nuka-ny | old-person eat-PAST, then person all-EMPH eat-PAST

Moral-register note in Rule 83: old/guest fed before general eating.


karrkay nyubun kari dakwuy bunda-ny | child one NEG hungry sit-PAST

Moral-register note: no one should sit/watch hungry while others eat.


The old woman gave food to the hungry child.

Mukul-jalbu-ngku mayi dajin karrkay dakwuy-nka.

mukul-jalbu-ngku mayi daji-ny karrkay dakwuy-nka | old-woman-ERG food give-PAST child hungry-DAT

Food-sharing frame with dative recipient; dakwuy hungry from errata.


We ate fish, damper, and honey by the fire.

ngana kuyu damba wunba nuka-ny baya-nga | we fish damper honey eat-PAST fire-LOC

Existing meal-by-fire model expanded with verified wunba honey.


minya jani nganja ngulkurr | meat well.cooked taste good

Errata: jani well cooked, nganja taste/smell.


bama wubul-ku yajin-ma-ny mayi-muny | person all-EMPH full-INCH-PAST food-ABL

Errata: yajin full from eating; ordinary ABL -muny.


karrkay-karrkay mayi kari buyun-dama-ny | child-REDUP food NEG bad-make-PAST

Patz warning model: Mayi kari waju, buyun-dama-nyji.


The old man said, cook the food well and give it to the children.

Mukul-dingkar balkan, mayi ngulkurr waju, karrkay-karrkay-nka daji.

mukul-dingkar balka-ny, mayi ngulkurr waju, karrkay-karrkay-nka daji | old-man say-PAST, food good cook.IMP, child-REDUP-DAT give.IMP

mukul-dingkar balkal mayi ngulkurr wajul karrkay dajil

Direct-speech imperative pattern constrained to attested waju and daji stems.


The old man did not see the snake; he saw the dog.

Mukul-dingkar-angka jarba kari nyajin, kaya nyajin.

mukul-dingkar-angka jarba kari nyaji-ny, kaya nyaji-ny | old-man-ERG snake NEG see-PAST, dog see-PAST

Patz §4.9.2 ex.593-597: kari placement can focus predicate or NP; jarba kari nyaji-ny models O-focus negation.


I did not eat the plant food; I ate the meat.

ngayu mayi kari nuka-ny, minya nuka-ny | I food NEG eat-PAST, meat eat-PAST

Patz stress examples: object before kari can mean not that object but another.


I did not eat the food; the child ate it.

Ngayu kari mayi nukan, karrkay-angka nukan.

ngayu kari mayi nuka-ny, karrkay-angka nuka-ny | I NEG food eat-PAST, child-ERG eat-PAST

Patz ex.595: subject-focus negation when kari follows the subject position.


The rain did not come; the ground stayed dry.

kaba kari kada-ny, bubu marral wuna-ny | rain NEG come-PAST, ground dry lie-PAST

Predicate negation: kari immediately before the verb.


His elder sister does not go to the river because of crocodiles.

Nyungu babarr wawubaja-nga kari dungay bilngkumu-nku.

nyungu babarr wawubaja-nga kari dunga-y bilngkumu-nku | his elder.sister river-LOC NEG go-NONPAST crocodile-DAT

nyungu babarr wawubaja kari dungay bilngkumu

Patz ex.262: elder sister does not go to the river because of crocodile-DAT.


The husband does not drink alcohol so that his wife is happy.

Dunyu-ngku kamukamu kari nuka-l, manyarr wawurrwawurr-ma-nka.

dunyu-ngku kamukamu kari nuka-l, manyarr wawurrwawurr-ma-nka | husband-ERG alcohol NEG drink-NONPAST, wife happy-INCH-PURP

dunyu kamukamu kari nukal manyarr wawurrwawurr

Patz ex.425: negative drinking clause plus purposive result.


A younger brother must not eat food from his elder sister.

Yabaju-ngku mayi kari nuka-l babarr-andamuny.

yabaju-ngku mayi kari nuka-l babarr-andamuny | younger.brother-ERG food NEG eat-NONPAST elder.sister-ABL:pt

Patz ex.282: sibling food taboo with kari before nuka-l.


People do not walk through long grass lest a snake bite them.

Bama kari jikan-ba kalbay-mba dunga-n-dungay, jarba-bu bayka-nyji.

bama kari jikan-ba kalbay-mba dunga-n-dunga-y, jarba-bu bayka-nyji | person NEG grass-LOC long-LOC go-REDUP-NONPAST, snake-ERG bite-PRECAUT

bama kari jikan kalbay dungay jarba baykal

Patz ex.434: negative habitual clause plus precautionary lest snake bite.


Young men do not drink alcohol lest they fight.

Warru-warru-ngku kamukamu kari nuka-l-nuka-l, kuni-wa-nyji.

warru-warru-ngku kamukamu kari nuka-l-nuka-l, kuni-wa-nyji | young.man-REDUP-ERG alcohol NEG drink-REDUP-NONPAST, hit-RECIP-PRECAUT

Patz ex.435: kari + reduplicated nuka-l, precautionary reciprocal.


He does not bathe in the river lest he drown.

Nyulu kari janji-l wawubaja-nga, bujil-janji-nyji.

nyulu kari janji-l wawubaja-nga, bujil-janji-nyji | he NEG bathe-NONPAST river-LOC, nose-bathe-PRECAUT

Patz ex.432: negative main clause with precautionary drowning clause.


The policeman did not see me because he was asleep.

Buliman-angka nganya kari nyajin, nyulu warngku-wuna-nya.

buliman-angka nganya kari nyaji-ny, nyulu warngku-wuna-nya | policeman-ERG me.ACC NEG see-PAST, he sleep-lie-SUB

buliman nganya kari nyajil nyulu warngku-wunay

Patz ex.487: negative perception plus causal -nya; retained pronoun removes ambiguity.


The dog did not bite the child; the child is well.

Kaya-ngka karrkay kari baykan, karrkay ngulkurr.

kaya-ngka karrkay kari bayka-ny, karrkay ngulkurr | dog-ERG child NEG bite-PAST, child good

Straight predicate negation with transitive A/O alignment.


The fire did not die; it burned all night.

baya kari wula-ny, wujurr wubul-ku waju-ny | fire NEG die-PAST, night all-EMPH burn-PAST

Predicate negation before wula-y 'die'; fire/burn lexemes from Rule 83.


The woman did not cook the food; she roasted the fish.

Jalbu-ngku mayi kari wajun, kuyu dindan.

jalbu-ngku mayi kari waju-ny, kuyu dinda-ny | woman-ERG food NEG cook-PAST, fish roast-PAST

Construction row reuses Rule 83 cooking contrast with kari before the predicate.


The child did not sleep in the night; he cried.

Karrkay wujurr-ba kari warngku-wunan, badin.

karrkay wujurr-ba kari warngku-wuna-ny, badi-ny | child night-LOC NEG sleep-lie-PAST, cry-PAST

Predicate negation with a following positive event clause.


yarraman kari kanga | horse NEG chase.IMP

Patz ex.149: Yarraman kari kanga! 'Don't chase the horse!'


yundu ngamu kari nyuya | you mother NEG blame.IMP

Patz ex.566: (Yundu) ngamu kari nyuya! 'Don't blame your mother!'


mayi kari waju, buyun-dama-nyji | food NEG cook.IMP, bad-make-PRECAUT

Patz ex.436: negative imperative plus precautionary.


Do not touch the vicious dog lest it bite you.

Kari kaya kuli-ji karrba, yununy bayka-nyji.

kari kaya kuli-ji karrba, yununy bayka-nyji | NEG dog rage-COMIT touch.IMP, you.ACC bite-PRECAUT

Patz ex.437: don't touch the vicious dog lest it bite you.


Do not play with the spear lest you hit the baby.

Kari kalka-ji nguju-wuri, yundu ngawa kuni-nyji.

kari kalka-ji nguju-wuri-y, yundu ngawa kuni-nyji | NEG spear-COMIT funny-dance-IMP, you baby hit-PRECAUT

kari kalka nguju-wuriy yundu ngawa kunil

Patz ex.433: don't fool around with the spear lest you hit the baby.


Do not pick up the egg lest you drop it.

kari diburr kulba, dara-y-mani-nyji | NEG egg lift.IMP, fall-CAUS-PRECAUT

Patz ex.441: kari + imperative kulba with precautionary drop clause.


kari bunda-y, ngarri buyun | NEG sit.IMP, leg bad

Patz ex.194: Kari bunda-y! Ngarri buyun.


yundu nganya kari jirra-kanga | you me.ACC NEG overdone-make.IMP

Patz ex.170c: idiomatic 'leave me alone / don't stir up my temper'.


Do not leave the meat on the ground lest the dog steal it.

Minya bubu-ngu kari bawa, kaya-ngka ngaki-nyji.

minya bubu-ngu kari bawa, kaya-ngka ngaki-nyji | meat ground-LOC NEG leave.IMP, dog-ERG steal-PRECAUT

Prohibitive + precautionary follows Patz ex.433/436/437 pattern.


yinya mayi kari nuka, yinya buyun | that food NEG eat.IMP, that bad

Simple prohibitive with postposed reason; nuka imperative is zero-inflected l-conjugation.


Do not go to the crocodile lest it bite you.

Bilngkumu-nku kari dungay, yununy bayka-nyji.

bilngkumu-nku kari dunga-y, yununy bayka-nyji | crocodile-DAT NEG go.IMP, you.ACC bite-PRECAUT

Negative imperative with dative goal and precautionary bite clause.


yinya bama milka-kari | that person ear-PRIV

Patz ex.54: milka-kari 'deaf' literally earless.


juku-juku nganka-kari | tree-REDUP flower-PRIV


ngayu wawu minya-ka bajibay-kari-ka | I want meat-DAT bone-PRIV-DAT

Patz ex.58: privative stem takes dative after -kari.


They gave clothes to the girl with no money.

Jana kambi dajin maral-anda mani-kari-nda.

jana kambi daji-ny maral-anda mani-kari-nda | they clothes give-PAST girl-LOC:pt money-PRIV-LOC:pt

Patz ex.59/561: non-zero case attaches after -kari.


ngayu jilba dunga-y kangkal-kari-ji | I walk go-NONPAST child-PRIV-COMIT

Patz ex.86: kangkal-kari-ji with the childless one.


Patz ex.555/305: kiru-kari 'stupid', literally brainless.


ngayu ngiki-kari, ngulkurr-ma-ny baja | I cold-PRIV, good-INCH-PAST again

Patz ex.556: ngiki-kari, ngulkurr-ma-ny.


mukul-jalbu dirra-kari | old-woman tooth-PRIV


nyulu bayan-kari jiba-badi-y | he house-PRIV liver-cry-NONPAST


nyulu dunga-ny marrkin-kari | he go-PAST rifle-PRIV

Patz ex.562: non-accompaniment privative.


ngawa warngku-wuna-y kararr-kari | baby sleep-lie-NONPAST blanket-PRIV

Patz ex.563: baby sleeps without blanket.


Kaya-kari-ngka bikibiki kari warmba-bungan.

kaya-kari-ngka bikibiki kari warmba-bunga-ny | dog-PRIV-ERG pig NEG uncovered-CAUS-PAST

Patz ex.57: kaya-kari-ngka plus predicate negation.


ngana bana-kari bayan-ba | we water-PRIV camp-LOC

Privative predicator based on Patz ex.55/560 pattern, with location.


There is no water at all along the road.

baral-darr bana yamba-kari | road-PERL water nothing

Patz ex.398: baral-darr bana yamba-kari.


Ngayu wawu-kari yunu-wun-ku nganjan-andamun-ku kaya-nka.

ngayu wawu-kari yunu-wun-ku nganjan-andamun-ku kaya-nka | I want-PRIV you-POSS-DAT father-POSS-DAT dog-DAT

Patz ex.518 and §4.9.2 contrast wawu-kari with balu.


ngayu balu kuni-wa-nka | I NEG2 hit-RECIP-PURP

Patz ex.600: balu as disapproval/refrain, not simple not.


ngayu balu buymbi-nka | I NEG2 smoke-PURP

Patz ex.601: balu with purposive complement.


ngayu wawu-kari buymbi-nka niji | I want-PRIV smoke-PURP now

Patz ex.603: wawu-kari is specific non-wanting, unlike balu's general disapproval.


The young man could not spear the turtle; he gave up.

nyulu warru balu dama-nka ngawuya | he young.man NEG2 spear-PURP turtle

Patz ex.599: balu implies unsuccessful attempt/giving up.


jana nyiku binal-kari kuku-ku | they today know-PRIV language-DAT

Patz ex.584: binal-kari with dative topic.


I do not know where the digging stick is.

ngayu binal-kari baka-juku wanjabu | I know-PRIV digging-stick where

Existing corpus/Patz interrogative pattern with binal-kari 'not know'.


kaba kariku kada-ny | rain NEG.EMPH come-PAST

Patz §3.9.2: kariku means emphatic not/not yet according to context.


I did not really sleep; I only sat quietly by the fire.

Ngayu karirrku warngku-wunan, janka bundan baya ngundu-ba.

ngayu karirrku warngku-wuna-ny, janka bunda-ny baya ngundu-ba | I NEG.really sleep-lie-PAST, quiet sit-PAST fire near-LOC

ngayu karirrku warngku-wunay janka bundal baya ngundu

Patz ex.208: kari-rrku 'not really' with sleep-lie.


Dictionary bubu 'ground; earth; a person's country'; Patz l.641 country/descent-group bubu.


Patz noun/adjective nominal clauses; bubu 'country, ground, earth, space' (l.1491).


kanbal bubu yala-rrku | some place same-EMPH4

Patz ex.206: Kanbal bubu yala-rrku 'Some places are just the same'.


Patz text 3 line 6: bubu julbarr-bi 'the ground was really slippery'.


ngayu bubu kida-l bayan-ka | I ground sweep-NONPAST camp-DAT

Patz ex.253/449: bubu kida-l for sweeping ground before setting up camp.


karrkay-angka bubu julbarr nyaji-ny | child-ERG ground slippery see-PAST

Patz text 3: children saw bubu julbarr-bi; transitive A takes potent ERG.


jalbu-ngku kaya kanga-l bayan-muny | woman-ERG dog chase-NONPAST camp-ABL

Patz ex.281: woman chases dog from house/camp; neutral ablative -muny.


karrkay-karrkay yinya bubu-ngu kada-ny | child-REDUP that place-LOC come-PAST

Patz text l.7173: yinyay-mba-bi kada-ny bubu-ngu 'came to that very place'.


mukul-jalbu bayan-ba bunda-ny | old-woman camp-LOC sit/stay-PAST

Patz locative clause pattern: bayan-ba with bunda-y/bundanda-y for sitting or staying.


Patz ex.504 has manjal-ba 'on the mountain'; nominal locative predicate pattern ex.297-299.


karrkay manjal-ba jana-y | child mountain-LOC stand-NONPAST

Patz ex.504: manjal-ba; posture verbs with locative settings.


Dictionary manjal 'mountain'; standard adjective predicate without copula.


Dictionary jalkaraburr 'high reaches of the mountains; mountain peak'.


jalkar wangkarwangkar | high.bank up.there

Dictionary jalkar 'high bank'; Patz §3.3 wangkarwangkar 'up there, above'.


Dictionary kangku 'valley, mountain pass'; Patz §3.3 badabada 'down there'.


jana jamba-nga dunga-ny | they hillside-LOC go-PAST

Dictionary jamba usage gives jamba-jamba-nga for along hillsides; V-final locative -nga.


Dictionary madja 'scrub, jungle, rain forest'.


dingkar-angka kadar kuni-ny madja-nga | man-ERG wallaby kill-PAST scrub-LOC

Patz ex.277: man killed wallaby in maja/madja-nga 'scrub-LOC'.


Dictionary jirka 'spring'; Patz §3.3 ngundu 'close by'.


Dictionary janku 'hole in the ground'; bubu-ngu locative attested in Patz text.


Dictionary kulji 'stone/pebbles'; bubu-ngu locative from Patz text.


kaya jukar-a wuna-y | dog sand-LOC lie-NONPAST

Rhotic locative guard: single-r jukar takes -a; posture verb wuna-y.


Dictionary bana 'water'; nominal adjective predicate.


yanya bana nuka-nka | this water drink-PURP

Patz ex.429a: Yanya bana nuka-nka 'This is drinking water'.


maral-maral bana-nga janji-l | girl-REDUP water-LOC bathe-NONPAST

Patz ex.275: Maral-maral bana-nga janji-l.


kuyu bana-nga janji-ny | fish water-LOC swim-PAST

Patz text l.6770: kuyu-lu bana-nga janji-ny 'fish was swimming in the water'.


Dictionary wawubaja 'river'; Patz §3.3 ngundu 'close by'.


jana wawubaja-burr mariji-ny | they river-PERL swim-PAST

Patz ex.291: Jana wawubaja-burr mariji-ny.


Women and children went to the river to get mussels.

Jalbu-jalbu karrkay-karrkay jana wawubaja-nga dungan mukirr mani-nka.

jalbu-jalbu karrkay-karrkay jana wawubaja-nga dunga-ny mukirr mani-nka | woman-REDUP child-REDUP they river-LOC go-PAST mussel get-PURP

jalbu karrkay jana wawubaja dungay mukirr manil

Patz ex.621: women/children went to river to get mussels.


The young man went to the river to spear fish.

Warru dungan wawubaja-nga kuyu dama-nka.

warru dunga-ny wawubaja-nga kuyu dama-nka | young.man go-PAST river-LOC fish spear-PURP

Patz ex.406: Warru dunga-ny wawubaja-nga, kuyu dama-nka.


yarraman jambul wawubaja-nga wanarri-y | horse two river-LOC run.REDUP-NONPAST

Patz ex.67b: two horses running to the river.


nyulu bada yilki-nga dunga-ny | he down creek-LOC go-PAST

Patz text line 89/91: bada yilki-nga dunga-ny.


He went from the camp down to the creek.

bayan-muny nyulu bada yilki-nga dunga-ny | camp-ABL he down creek-LOC go-PAST

Patz text line 90: Bayan-muny nyulu bada yilki-nga dunga-ny.


Do not go into deep water; that is deep water.

Kari-ku dunga-y dajali-mun-bu, yinya dajali.

kari-ku dunga-y dajali-mun-bu, yinya dajali | NEG-EMPH go-IMP deep.water-mun-LOC, that deep.water

Patz text line 32: don't go into dajali-mun-bu; yinya dajali.


ngundu kada-y yalkan-ba | close come-IMP shallow.water-LOC

Patz text line 33: Ngundu kada-y yalkan-ba.


yinya kuyu jalun-muny | that fish sea-ABL


Dictionary jalun 'sea, large body of water'.


Dictionary dulngku 'reef'; Patz §3.3 notes jalun-bu 'sea-LOC'.


Dictionary ngajal 'low tide', dulngku 'reef'; u-final locative -ngu.


Dictionary yira 'tide'; junkurr 'strong'.


karrkay ngundu jana-y | child close.by stand-NONPAST

Patz ex.107/279: ngundu jana-y 'stand close by'.


He came from the other side of the river.

nyulu kada-ny ngubar-muny | he come-PAST other.side.of.river-ABL


bama yirrka-n-yirrka-y badabada-mundu | person call-REDUP-NONPAST down.there-ABESS

Patz ex.110: Bama yirrka-n-yirrka-y badabada-mundu.


nyulu kudamundu bayan-ba | he behind camp-LOC

Dictionary kudamundu example: Nyulu kudamundu bayan-ba.


Wulbuman-angka nyunguny wukurrin kudamundu.

wulbuman-angka nyunguny wukurri-ny kudamundu | old.woman-ERG him.ACC follow-PAST behind

Patz ex.111: old woman followed him behind/from behind.


bula yarra wangkar nyaji-ny | they.two that.way up see-PAST

Patz text line 14: Bula yarra wangkar nyaji-ny.