The child hurt her foot on a sharp stone, and now she cannot walk down to the water alone.

Karrkay jina kulji-bu kaka-mani, niji nyulu bana-ka bada jilba kari nyubun-nyubun.

karrkay jina kulji-bu kaka-mani, niji nyulu bana-ka bada jilba kari nyubun-nyubun | child foot stone-INST pain-CAUS(hurt), now 3sg water-DAT down walk NEG alone

karrkay jina kulji kaka niji bana bada jilba nyubun

jina 'foot'; kaka-mani-l 'hurt' (b102); nyubun-nyubun 'alone'; INST kulji-bu


The old woman's leg and thigh are sore and weak, and she sits quietly by the fire all the long day.

Mukul-jalbu jandal waba kaka junkurr-kari, nyulu janka bundan baya ngundu wungar wubulku.

mukul-jalbu jandal waba kaka junkurr-kari, nyulu janka bunda-ny baya ngundu wungar wubul-ku | old-woman leg thigh sore strength-PRIV(weak), 3sg quietly sit-PAST fire near day all

mukul jalbu jandal waba kaka junkurr janka bundal baya wungar

jandal 'leg', waba 'thigh'; junkurr-kari 'weak' (strength-PRIV b104); janka quietly


He held the little bird gently in both his hands and showed it to the laughing children by the fire.

Nyulu buyi buban janka mara jambul-ba karrban, karrkay-karrkay yajarri-nya nyaji-mani baya ngundu.

nyulu buyi buban janka mara jambul-ba karrba-ny, karrkay-karrkay yajarri-nya nyaji-mani baya ngundu | 3sg bird small gently hand two-LOC hold-PAST, child-REDUP laugh-SUB see-CAUS(show) fire near

nyulu buyi buban janka mara jambul karrbal karrkay yajarril nyajil

mara 'hand'; nyaji-mani-l show; buyi bird (b85); janka gently


The man's foot left a deep track in the wet sand by the edge of the wide river.

Dingkar jina jukar buyun-ba dajali nanda, wawubaja jirrbu ngundu.

dingkar jina jukar buyun-ba dajali nanda, wawubaja jirrbu ngundu | man foot sand wet-LOC deep put(leave), river edge near

dingkar jina jukar buyun dajali nanda wawubaja jirrbu

jina 'foot/track'; jukar sand (b107); jirrbu 'edge' (b96); dajali deep


The old man's arm is long and thin now, but once it was strong and threw the spear very far.

Mukul-dingkar wakuy kalbay buban-buban niji, yamba kalbay-muny junkurr, kalka kala-kalbay daman.

mukul-dingkar wakuy kalbay buban-buban niji, yamba kalbay-muny junkurr, kalka kala-kalbay dama-ny | old-man arm long thin now, but long.ago strong, spear far throw-PAST

mukul dingkar wakuy kalbay buban niji kariku junkurr kalka kala-kalbay

wakuy 'arm'; buban-buban 'thin'; kariku 'before'; kala-kalbay far


The child washed her hands and her feet in the cool clear water of the shallow creek at dawn.

Karrkay-ngku mara jina bana ngiki-ba janjin wawubaja buban-ba wunkuwingku.

karrkay-ngku mara jina bana ngiki-ba janji-ny wawubaja buban-ba wunkuwingku | child-ERG:pt hand foot water cool-LOC wash-PAST creek small-LOC morning

karrkay mara jina bana ngiki janji wawubaja buban wunkuwingku

mara 'hand', jina 'foot'; janji-l wash/bathe (b103); A=ERG:pt


The hunter's legs are strong from walking and running all day through the hills and the dark scrub.

Balbi-bama jandal junkurr jilba warri-muny wungar wubulku jamba madja-burr.

balbi-bama jandal junkurr jilba warri-muny wungar wubul-ku jamba madja-burr | hunter leg strong walk run-ABL day all hill scrub-PERL

balbi bama jandal junkurr jilba warri wungar wubul jamba madja

jandal 'leg'; jilba walk / warri run; madja-burr PERL 'through the scrub'


She put the sweet fruit into the child's small hand and told him to eat it there by the warm fire.

Nyulu mayi jiba-wulay karrkay mara buban-ka nanda, nyulu nuka-nka balkan baya wumbul ngundu.

nyulu mayi jiba-wulay karrkay mara buban-ka nanda, nyulu nuka-nka balka-ny baya wumbul ngundu | 3sg fruit sweet child hand small-DAT put, 3sg eat-PURP tell-PAST fire warm near

nyulu mayi jiba-wulay karrkay mara buban nanda nukal balkal baya

mara 'hand'; nuka-nka PURP 'to eat'; balka-l tell


The old man's foot is sore and swollen, and he cannot walk far from the camp any more now.

Mukul-dingkar jina kaka yalbay-ma-n, nyulu kala-kalbay jilba kari bayan-muny niji.

mukul-dingkar jina kaka yalbay-ma-ny, nyulu kala-kalbay jilba kari bayan-muny niji | old-man foot sore big-INCHO-PAST(swollen), 3sg far walk NEG camp-ABL now

mukul dingkar jina kaka yalbay nyulu kala-kalbay jilba bayan niji

jina 'foot'; yalbay-ma-ny 'swelled' (become-big INCHO); kala-kalbay far


The strong man carried the heavy log on one shoulder and the little child on the other arm.

Dingkar junkurr juku kulngkul binda nyubun-ba wundin, karrkay buban wakuy yindu-ngu.

dingkar junkurr juku kulngkul binda nyubun-ba wundi-ny, karrkay buban wakuy yindu-ngu | man strong log heavy shoulder one-LOC carry-PAST, child small arm other-LOC

dingkar junkurr juku kulngkul binda nyubun wundil karrkay wakuy yindu

binda 'shoulder', wakuy 'arm'; yindu-ngu 'on the other' (b98); wundi-l carry


The two children ran on their little bare feet across the warm sand towards the wide blue sea.

Karrkay-karrkay jambul warrin jina buban-ba jukar wumbul-burr jalun yalbay-ka.

karrkay-karrkay jambul warri-ny jina buban-ba jukar wumbul-burr jalun yalbay-ka | child-REDUP two run-PAST foot small-LOC sand warm-PERL sea wide-DAT

karrkay jambul warri jina buban jukar wumbul jalun yalbay

jina 'foot'; jukar sand; jalun sea (b102); warri run; jukar-burr PERL 'across the sand'


The old man is blind now — his eyes are stale and white — but he still knows all the old stories.

Mukul-dingkar miyil-burra niji, nyungu miyil balbal, yamba nyulu kuku mukul narmba binal.

mukul-dingkar miyil-burra niji, nyungu miyil balbal, yamba nyulu kuku mukul narmba binal | old-man eye-stale(blind) now, his eye white, but 3sg story old all know

mukul dingkar miyil niji balbal kuku narmba binal

⭐miyil-burra 'blind' (eye-stale, l.2234); miyil 'eye'; binal know (b108)


The child could not sleep all night; her eyes stayed hard and open until the cold dawn came at last.

Karrkay miyil-dandi wujurr wubulku, nyungu miyil ngalkal janay wunkuwingku ngiki kada-nya.

karrkay miyil-dandi wujurr wubul-ku, nyungu miyil ngalkal janay wunkuwingku ngiki kada-nya | child eye-hard(sleepless) night all, her eye open stand morning cold come-SUB

karrkay miyil wujurr wubul ngalkal janay wunkuwingku ngiki kaday

⭐miyil-dandi 'sleepless' (eye-hard, l.949); miyil 'eye'; kada-nya SUB 'when it came'


The old woman is deaf now and cannot hear the children, but her eyes are still sharp and good.

Mukul-jalbu milka-kari niji, karrkay-karrkay milka-bu kari nyaji-l, yamba nyungu miyil junkurr ngulkurr.

mukul-jalbu milka-kari niji, karrkay-karrkay milka-bu kari nyaji-l, yamba nyungu miyil junkurr ngulkurr | old-woman ear-PRIV(deaf) now, child-REDUP ear-INST NEG hear, but her eye sharp good

mukul jalbu milka niji karrkay nyajil miyil junkurr ngulkurr

⭐milka-kari 'deaf' (ear-PRIV); milka-bu nyaji-l 'hear'; miyil 'eye'


That man swears far too much — he has a bad swearing-mouth — and the old people are angry with him.

Yinya dingkar dirra-baka bajaku, mukul-bama yinya-nka kuli-ma-l.

yinya dingkar dirra-baka bajaku, mukul-bama yinya-nka kuli-ma-l | that man tooth-excess(swears) very, old-people that.one-DAT anger-INCHO(get.angry)

yinya dingkar dirra bajaku mukul bama kuli

⭐dirra-baka 'swears too much' (tooth-excess, l.2074); kuli-ma-l 'get angry' (kuli anger)


The child's eye is sore and red from the smoke of the fire, and it weeps water all the day long.

Karrkay miyil kaka kulbul baya kubu-muny, bana miyil-muny bada wanarri wungar wubulku.

karrkay miyil kaka kulbul baya kubu-muny, bana miyil-muny bada wanarri wungar wubul-ku | child eye sore red fire smoke-ABL, water eye-ABL down run day all

karrkay miyil kaka kulbul baya kubu bana wanarri wungar wubul

miyil 'eye'; kubu 'smoke'; kaka sore; kulbul red; miyil-muny ABL 'from the eye'


The old man's liver is the seat of his sorrow, and his liver-cry shows he grieves for the sick child.

Mukul-dingkar jiba nyungu jiba-badi-mu, jiba-badi nyaji-mani nyulu karrkay bambay-nka.

mukul-dingkar jiba nyungu jiba-badi-mu, jiba-badi nyaji-mani nyulu karrkay bambay-nka | old-man liver his liver-cry(sorrow)-POSS, liver-cry see-CAUS(show) 3sg child sick-DAT

mukul dingkar jiba badil nyajil nyulu karrkay bambay

⭐jiba 'liver' = emotion-seat; jiba-badi 'sorry/grieve' (liver-cry, ex.85); bambay-nka DAT


When the man is angry, his face goes dark, and his chest and his heart burn hot inside him.

Dingkar kuli-ma-nya, nyungu walu ngungul-ma-l, damu wubul wumbul-ma-l dukurr-ba.

dingkar kuli-ma-nya, nyungu walu ngungul-ma-l, damu wubul wumbul-ma-l dukurr-ba | man anger-INCHO-SUB, his face dark-INCHO, chest heart hot-INCHO inside-LOC

dingkar kuli walu ngungul damu wubul wumbul dukurr

walu 'face', damu 'chest', wubul 'heart'; kuli-ma-nya 'when angry'; wumbul-ma-l 'get hot'


The blood and the bones and the flesh of every animal go back into the good country in the end.

Minya narmba-mu mula bajibay minya bubu ngulkurr-ka nyunba wubulku-ku.

minya narmba-mu mula bajibay minya bubu ngulkurr-ka nyunba wubul-ku-ku | animal all-POSS blood bone flesh country good-DAT return all-EMPH(in.the.end)

minya narmba mula bajibay bubu ngulkurr nyunbay wubul

mula 'blood', bajibay 'bone', minya 'flesh/meat'; nyunba-y return (b103)


The old woman's hands know the weaving, her eyes know the plants, and her ears know the old songs.

Mukul-jalbu mara ngunyin-mu binal, miyil mayi-mu binal, milka wulngku mukul-mu binal.

mukul-jalbu mara ngunyin-mu binal, miyil mayi-mu binal, milka wulngku mukul-mu binal | old-woman hand dilly.bag-POSS know, eye plant-POSS know, ear song old-POSS know

mukul jalbu mara ngunyin binal miyil mayi milka wulngku

⭐mara/miyil/milka triple (hand/eye/ear); binal know; wulngku song; ngunyin (b107)


Head, eye, ear, mouth, hand, and foot — the old man named every part for the listening children.

Dukul, miyil, milka, ngandal, mara, jina — mukul-dingkar-angka narmba kuku dajin karrkay-karrkay milka-janay-nya.

dukul, miyil, milka, ngandal, mara, jina — mukul-dingkar-angka narmba kuku daji-ny karrkay-karrkay milka-janay-nya | head eye ear mouth hand foot — old-man-ERG:pt all word give-PAST child-REDUP ear-stand(listen)-SUB

dukul miyil milka ngandal mara jina mukul dingkar narmba kuku dajil

⭐full inventory: dukul/miyil/milka/ngandal/mara/jina; milka-janay 'listen' (ear-stand)


The old man did not kill the big kangaroo today, for it ran away fast across the open plain.

Mukul-dingkar-angka mayarriji yalbay kari kunin niji, nyulu warri bajaku bubu ngalkal-burr.

mukul-dingkar-angka mayarriji yalbay kari kuni-ny niji, nyulu warri bajaku bubu ngalkal-burr | old-man-ERG:pt kangaroo big NEG kill-PAST now, 3sg run fast ground open-PERL

mukul dingkar mayarriji yalbay kari kunil niji warri bubu ngalkal

⭐kari 'not' before the predicate (kari kunin); mayarriji (b105); ngalkal open (b102)


I did not eat the fish; I ate the good meat and the sweet ripe fruit instead by the fire.

Ngayu kuyu kari nukan; ngayu minya ngulkurr mayi kulbul jiba-wulay nukan baya ngundu.

ngayu kuyu kari nuka-ny; ngayu minya ngulkurr mayi kulbul jiba-wulay nuka-ny baya ngundu | 1sg fish NEG eat-PAST; 1sg meat good fruit ripe sweet eat-PAST fire near

ngayu kuyu kari nukal minya ngulkurr mayi kulbul jiba-wulay baya

kari nukan 'did not eat' (ex.24 'kari nukany'); ngayu 1sg (b106)


The children are not sleeping yet; they are still laughing and playing quietly by the warm fire.

Karrkay-karrkay kari warngku wuna niji; jana yajarri-l jinbal-jinbal janka baya wumbul ngundu.

karrkay-karrkay kari warngku wuna niji; jana yajarri-l jinbal-jinbal janka baya wumbul ngundu | child-REDUP NEG sleep lie now; 3pl laugh play quietly fire warm near

karrkay kari warngku wunay jana yajarril janka baya wumbul

kari warngku wuna 'not sleeping'; jana 3pl; warngku sleep (b101)


The old woman cannot see the small track now, for her tired eyes are old and weak in the dark.

Mukul-jalbu jina buban kari nyaji-l niji, nyungu miyil warngku-warngku mukul ngungul-ba.

mukul-jalbu jina buban kari nyaji-l niji, nyungu miyil warngku-warngku mukul ngungul-ba | old-woman track small NEG see now, her eye sleepy old dark-LOC

mukul jalbu jina buban kari nyajil miyil warngku mukul ngungul

kari nyaji-l 'cannot see'; miyil eye (b109); jina track


The young man did not come back to the camp last night, and his mother cried in the cold dark.

Warru bayan-ka kari nyunban wujurr-muny, nyungu ngamu badi ngiki ngungul-ba.

warru bayan-ka kari nyunba-ny wujurr-muny, nyungu ngamu badi ngiki ngungul-ba | young.man camp-DAT NEG return-PAST night-ABL, his mother cry cold dark-LOC

warru bayan kari nyunbay wujurr ngamu badil ngiki ngungul

kari nyunban 'did not return'; nyunba-y return (b103); badi cry (b101)


The dog did not bite the child; it only barked loudly and ran away into the long grass.

Kaya-ngka karrkay kari baykan; nyulu yirrkan yalbay warri jikan kalbay-ka.

kaya-ngka karrkay kari bayka-ny; nyulu yirrka-ny yalbay warri jikan kalbay-ka | dog-ERG:pt child NEG bite-PAST; 3sg bark-PAST big(loud) run grass long-DAT

kaya karrkay kari baykal nyulu yirrkal yalbay warri jikan

kari baykan 'did not bite'; kaya-ngka ERG (b106); yirrka-l call/bark


We two do not walk to that dark place by the river, for the big crocodile lives there in the deep water.

Ngali yinya bubu ngungul-ka wawubaja-nga kari jilba, bilngkumu yalbay yinyay wuna bana dajali-ba.

ngali yinya bubu ngungul-ka wawubaja-nga kari jilba, bilngkumu yalbay yinyay wuna bana dajali-ba | 1du that place dark-DAT river-LOC NEG walk, crocodile big there lie water deep-LOC

ngali yinya bubu ngungul wawubaja kari jilba bilngkumu dajali

kari jilba 'do not walk'; ngali 1du; bilngkumu crocodile (b83); dajali deep


The old man does not eat the meat of the snake, for his fathers did not eat it long, long ago.

Mukul-dingkar jarba minya kari nukal, nyungu nganjan-nganjan kari nukan kalbay-muny.

mukul-dingkar jarba minya kari nukal, nyungu nganjan-nganjan kari nuka-ny kalbay-muny | old-man snake meat NEG eat, his father-REDUP NEG eat-PAST long.ago-ABL

mukul dingkar jarba minya kari nukal nganjan kalbay

kari nuka / kari nukan; jarba snake (b89); nganjan father (b94)


The little bird did not fly away; it stayed in the tall tree and called out in the cold dawn.

Buyi buban kari marra-warrin; nyulu juku kalbay-mba bundan yirrka-l ngiki wunkuwingku.

buyi buban kari marra-warri-ny; nyulu juku kalbay-mba bunda-ny yirrka-l ngiki wunkuwingku | bird small NEG fly-PAST; 3sg tree tall-LOC sit-PAST call cold morning

buyi buban kari mara-warri juku kalbay bundal yirrkal wunkuwingku

kari marra-warrin 'did not fly'; marra-warri fly (b103); buyi bird (b85)


The hunter did not spear the wallaby, for it was too far away across the wide, open plain.

Balbi-bama-ngka kadar kari daman, nyulu kala-kalbay bajaku bubu ngalkal-burr.

balbi-bama-ngka kadar kari dama-ny, nyulu kala-kalbay bajaku bubu ngalkal-burr | hunter-ERG:pt wallaby NEG spear-PAST, 3sg far very ground open-PERL

balbi bama kadar kari damal kala-kalbay bajaku bubu ngalkal

kari daman 'did not spear'; kadar wallaby (b105); kala-kalbay far (b96)


The old woman is not angry with the children; she only speaks quietly and tells them the true story.

Mukul-jalbu karrkay-karrkay-nka kari kuli-ma-l; nyulu janka balka-l kuku yukil dajin.

mukul-jalbu karrkay-karrkay-nka kari kuli-ma-l; nyulu janka balka-l kuku yukil daji-ny | old-woman child-REDUP-DAT NEG anger-INCHO; 3sg quietly talk word true give-PAST

mukul jalbu karrkay kari kuli janka balkal kuku yukil dajil

kari kuli-ma-l 'not angry'; kuli anger (b109); balka-l tell; kuku yukil true words


The two men did not find any fish in the shallow creek, so they walked on down to the sea.

Dingkar jambul-angka kuyu kari manin wawubaja buban-ba, jana bada jilban jalun-ka.

dingkar jambul-angka kuyu kari mani-ny wawubaja buban-ba, jana bada jilba-ny jalun-ka | man two-ERG:pt fish NEG get(find)-PAST creek small-LOC, 3pl down walk-PAST sea-DAT

dingkar jambul kuyu kari manil wawubaja buban jana bada jalun

kari manin 'did not find'; mani-l get/find; jalun sea (b102); bada down/seaward


The child does not want the bitter root; she wants the sweet ripe fruit and the cool clear water.

Karrkay wukay buyun-ka kari wawu; nyulu mayi kulbul jiba-wulay-ka bana ngiki-ka wawu.

karrkay wukay buyun-ka kari wawu; nyulu mayi kulbul jiba-wulay-ka bana ngiki-ka wawu | child yam bitter-DAT NEG want; 3sg fruit ripe sweet-DAT water cool-DAT want

karrkay wukay buyun kari wawu mayi kulbul jiba-wulay bana ngiki

⭐wawu 'want' takes DAT object (ex.4 minya-ka wawu); kari wawu 'does not want'


That old man does not know the way to the far country; he has never walked there in his whole life.

Yinya mukul-dingkar jina bubu kala-kalbay-mu kari binal; nyulu yinyay kari jilban wungar wubulku-mu.

yinya mukul-dingkar jina bubu kala-kalbay-mu kari binal; nyulu yinyay kari jilba-ny wungar wubul-ku-mu | that old-man track country far-POSS NEG know; 3sg there NEG walk-PAST day all-POSS(lifetime)

yinya mukul dingkar jina bubu kala-kalbay kari binal jilba wungar

kari binal 'does not know', kari jilban 'never walked'; binal know (b108)


The two young men have not come back yet, though three long, cold days have already passed.

Warru jambul kariku nyunba, wungar kulur kalbay ngiki niji dungan.

warru jambul kariku nyunba, wungar kulur kalbay ngiki niji dunga-ny | young.man two not.yet return, day three long cold now go-PAST(passed)

warru jambul kariku nyunbay wungar kulur kalbay ngiki dungay

⭐kariku 'NOT YET' (temporal, l.3821); kulur three (b98); nyunba-y return


The sweet fruit is not yet ripe on the tree; sit and wait until the hot season comes again.

Mayi juku-ba kariku kulbul; bunda-l baya ngundu wumbul-wungar kada-nya.

mayi juku-ba kariku kulbul; bunda-l baya ngundu wumbul-wungar kada-nya | fruit tree-LOC not.yet ripe; sit fire near hot-season come-SUB

mayi juku kariku kulbul bundal baya wumbul wungar kaday

kariku 'not yet' (ripe); bunda 'sit/wait'; wumbul-wungar hot season; kada-nya SUB


I did not really sleep last night; I only dozed a little by the fire and heard every small sound.

Ngayu kari-rrku warngku wunan wujurr-muny; ngayu janka wunan baya ngundu, kuku narmba nyajin.

ngayu kari-rrku warngku wuna-ny wujurr-muny; ngayu janka wuna-ny baya ngundu, kuku narmba nyaji-ny | 1sg NEG-EMPH(not.really) sleep lie-PAST night-ABL; 1sg quietly lie-PAST fire near, sound all hear-PAST

ngayu kari warngku wunay wujurr janka baya kuku narmba nyajil

⭐kari-rrku 'not really' (ex.208 'just dozed'); nyaji-l hear/see (b109)


Do not go down to the water now — desist! — the big crocodile is hunting there in the dark.

Balu! Yundu bana-ka bada kari dungay niji, bilngkumu yalbay yinyay balbi ngungul-ba.

balu! yundu bana-ka bada kari dungay niji, bilngkumu yalbay yinyay balbi ngungul-ba | desist! 2sg water-DAT down NEG go now, crocodile big there hunt dark-LOC

balu yundu bana bada kari dungay bilngkumu yalbay balbi ngungul

⭐balu 'desist!' (NEG2 prohibitive); bilngkumu crocodile; balbi hunt (b105)


Let it be, do not do what you are about to do; that spear belongs to the old man, not to you.

Baluda, yundu yinya kari bungal; yinya kalka mukul-dingkar-mu, kari yunu.

baluda, yundu yinya kari bungal; yinya kalka mukul-dingkar-mu, kari yunu | let.it.be, 2sg that NEG make/do; that spear old-man-POSS, NEG your

baluda yundu yinya kari bungal kalka mukul dingkar yunu

⭐baluda 'let it be / don't' (l.3827); kalka spear (b107); yunu 2sg.POSS


The children have not yet eaten all the meat; there is still enough good food for everyone here.

Karrkay-karrkay minya narmba kariku nukan; mayi ngulkurr niji bama narmba-mu yala.

karrkay-karrkay minya narmba kariku nuka-ny; mayi ngulkurr niji bama narmba-mu yala | child-REDUP meat all not.yet eat-PAST; food good now person all-POSS here

karrkay minya narmba kariku nukal mayi ngulkurr bama yala

kariku 'not yet (all)'; narmba all; nuka-l eat


Do not touch that sacred thing — desist — for it belongs to the old law of the country.

Balu, yundu yinya yirmbal kari damal; yinya kuku mukul bubu-mu.

balu, yundu yinya yirmbal kari damal; yinya kuku mukul bubu-mu | desist, 2sg that sacred NEG touch; that law old country-POSS

balu yundu yinya yirmbal kari damal kuku mukul bubu

balu prohibitive; yirmbal sacred (b102); dama-l touch/spear; kuku 'law'


The old man has not yet died, but he is very sick, and the healer sits near him all through the night.

Mukul-dingkar kariku wula, yamba nyulu bambay bajaku, murri nyungu ngundu bundan wujurr wubulku.

mukul-dingkar kariku wula, yamba nyulu bambay bajaku, murri nyungu ngundu bunda-ny wujurr wubul-ku | old-man not.yet die, but 3sg sick very, healer him near sit-PAST night all

mukul dingkar kariku wulal yamba bambay murri ngundu bundal wujurr

kariku 'not yet' (died); murri healer (b109); bambay sick (b108); wula die


I have not yet finished the strong dilly bag; I will finish the weaving tomorrow in the early morning.

Ngayu ngunyin junkurr kariku bungal; ngayu wungar kada-nya wunkuwingku bunga.

ngayu ngunyin junkurr kariku bunga-l; ngayu wungar kada-nya wunkuwingku bunga | 1sg dilly.bag strong not.yet make; 1sg day come-SUB(tomorrow) morning make

ngayu ngunyin junkurr kariku bungal wungar kaday wunkuwingku

kariku 'not yet' (finished); ngunyin dilly bag (b107); wungar kada-nya 'tomorrow'


Do not run on the hard, sharp stones with your bare feet, child, or you will fall and hurt yourself.

Balu, karrkay, yundu kulji junkurr-ba kari warri jina buban-bu, yundu dara-y kaka-ma-nyji.

balu, karrkay, yundu kulji junkurr-ba kari warri jina buban-bu, yundu dara-y kaka-ma-nyji | desist, child, 2sg stone hard-LOC NEG run foot bare-INST, 2sg fall pain-INCHO-PRECAUT(lest.hurt)

balu karrkay yundu kulji junkurr kari warri jina buban kaka

balu + kari warri 'don't run'; kaka-ma-nyji 'lest hurt' (PRECAUT); dara-y fall


The old man did not altogether finish the new spear; a little of it still remains for tomorrow.

Mukul-dingkar-angka kalka jirakal kari-rrku bungal; buban niji wungar kada-nya-mu.

mukul-dingkar-angka kalka jirakal kari-rrku bunga-l; buban niji wungar kada-nya-mu | old-man-ERG:pt spear new NEG-EMPH(not.altogether) make; small now day come-SUB-POSS(for.tomorrow)

mukul dingkar kalka jirakal kari bungal buban niji wungar

kari-rrku 'not altogether'; jirakal new (b107); kalka spear


Do not give up now, young man; the wallaby is close at hand, and you will surely spear it soon.

Balu yundu, warru; kadar ngundu niji, yundu damal niji-niji nguymal.

balu yundu, warru; kadar ngundu niji, yundu dama-l niji-niji nguymal | give.up 2sg, young.man; wallaby near now, 2sg spear-NONPAST soon truly

balu yundu warru kadar ngundu niji damal nguymal

balu 'give up/desist'; kadar wallaby; nguymal truly (b105); niji-niji 'soon'


The child has not yet learned to throw the spear straight; the old man teaches him every single day.

Karrkay kalka jinbal dama-nka kariku binal-ma-n; mukul-dingkar-angka nyungu balka-l wungar-wungar.

karrkay kalka jinbal dama-nka kariku binal-ma-ny; mukul-dingkar-angka nyungu balka-l wungar-wungar | child spear straight throw-PURP not.yet know-INCHO-PAST(learn); old-man-ERG:pt him teach day-REDUP

karrkay kalka jinbal damal kariku binal mukul dingkar balkal wungar

kariku 'not yet' (learned); binal-ma-ny 'learned'; dama-nka PURP


I am not really hungry now; I ate the good meat and the sweet fruit a little while ago by the fire.

Ngayu kari-rrku dakwuy niji; ngayu minya ngulkurr mayi jiba-wulay nukan niji-muny baya ngundu.

ngayu kari-rrku dakwuy niji; ngayu minya ngulkurr mayi jiba-wulay nuka-ny niji-muny baya ngundu | 1sg NEG-EMPH(not.really) hungry now; 1sg meat good fruit sweet eat-PAST now-ABL(while.ago) fire near

ngayu kari dakwuy niji minya ngulkurr mayi jiba-wulay nukal baya

kari-rrku 'not really' hungry; dakwuy hungry (b105); niji-muny 'a while ago'


The man without a dog found no pigs in the scrub, and he came home hungry in the dark.

Kaya-kari-ngka bikibiki kari warmba-bungal madja-ba, nyulu bayan-ka dakwuy kadan ngungul-ba.

kaya-kari-ngka bikibiki kari warmba-bunga-l madja-ba, nyulu bayan-ka dakwuy kada-ny ngungul-ba | dog-PRIV-ERG:pt pig NEG uncover-CAUS(find) scrub-LOC, 3sg camp-DAT hungry come-PAST dark-LOC

kaya bikibiki kari warmba bungal madja bayan dakwuy kaday ngungul

⭐kaya-kari-ngka 'dog-PRIV-ERG' (ex.57); warmba-bunga-l 'find'; bikibiki pig


I want good meat without any bones, and sweet fruit without the bitter, hard skin on it.

Ngayu wawu minya-ka ngulkurr bajibay-kari-ka, mayi jiba-wulay-ka buyun-kari junkurr-kari.

ngayu wawu minya-ka ngulkurr bajibay-kari-ka, mayi jiba-wulay-ka buyun-kari junkurr-kari | 1sg want meat-DAT good bone-PRIV-DAT, fruit sweet-DAT bad-PRIV hard-PRIV

ngayu wawu minya ngulkurr bajibay mayi jiba-wulay buyun junkurr

⭐bajibay-kari-ka 'without bones-DAT' (ex.58); wawu want + DAT; buyun-kari without-bad


That old man is deaf — he has no ears — and he cannot hear the little children calling him.

Yinya mukul-dingkar milka-kari, nyulu karrkay-karrkay buban yirrka-nya kari nyaji-l.

yinya mukul-dingkar milka-kari, nyulu karrkay-karrkay buban yirrka-nya kari nyaji-l | that old-man ear-PRIV(deaf), 3sg child-REDUP small call-SUB NEG hear

yinya mukul dingkar milka nyulu karrkay buban yirrkal kari nyajil

milka-kari 'deaf' (ear-PRIV, ex.54); milka-bu nyaji-l 'hear' understood


I have no money now, so I cannot buy the good sharp knife or the strong new dilly bag.

Ngayu mani-kari niji, ngayu naybu ngulkurr ngunyin jirakal junkurr kari mani.

ngayu mani-kari niji, ngayu naybu ngulkurr ngunyin jirakal junkurr kari mani | 1sg money-PRIV now, 1sg knife good dilly.bag new strong NEG get(buy)

ngayu mani niji naybu ngulkurr ngunyin jirakal junkurr kari

mani-kari 'no money' (ex.55); mani 'money' + mani-l 'get/buy'; naybu knife (b107)


The trees have no flowers in the cold, dry season, and the little birds fly away to the north.

Juku-juku nganka-kari ngiki marral-wungar-a, buyi buban kungkarr marra-warri.

juku-juku nganka-kari ngiki marral-wungar-a, buyi buban kungkarr marra-warri | tree-REDUP flower-PRIV cold dry-season-LOC, bird small north fly

juku nganka ngiki marral wungar buyi buban kungkarr mara-warri

nganka-kari 'no flowers' (ex.56); nganka flower; kungkarr north (b102)


There is nothing in the old woman's empty dilly bag now — no fruit, no yams, and no honey at all.

Mukul-jalbu ngunyin kari-nga yamba-kari niji — mayi-kari, wukay-kari, wunba-kari.

mukul-jalbu ngunyin kari-nga yamba-kari niji — mayi-kari, wukay-kari, wunba-kari | old-woman dilly.bag nothing-LOC nothing now — food-PRIV, yam-PRIV, honey-PRIV

mukul jalbu ngunyin kari yamba niji mayi wukay wunba

⭐yamba-kari 'nothing' (l.2310); mayi-kari/wukay-kari/wunba-kari privatives; wunba honey (b91)


The one without a spear cannot hunt the big kangaroo, and the one without a net catches no fish.

Kalka-kari-ngka mayarriji yalbay kari balbi, makarr-kari-ngka kuyu kari manil.

kalka-kari-ngka mayarriji yalbay kari balbi, makarr-kari-ngka kuyu kari mani-l | spear-PRIV-ERG:pt kangaroo big NEG hunt, fish.net-PRIV-ERG:pt fish NEG catch

kalka mayarriji yalbay kari balbi makarr kuyu manil

kalka-kari-ngka / makarr-kari-ngka (PRIV+ERG, ex.57 pattern); makarr fish net (b107)


The old man wants nothing now — not the meat, not the fruit — only to sit quietly by the warm fire.

Mukul-dingkar yamba-kari wawu niji — minya-kari, mayi-kari — nyulu janka bunda-nka baya wumbul ngundu.

mukul-dingkar yamba-kari wawu niji — minya-kari, mayi-kari — nyulu janka bunda-nka baya wumbul ngundu | old-man nothing want now — meat-PRIV, food-PRIV — 3sg quietly sit-PURP fire warm near

mukul dingkar yamba wawu niji minya mayi janka bundal baya

yamba-kari wawu 'wants nothing'; bunda-nka PURP 'to sit'; janka quietly


A camp without water is no good, and a country without food cannot hold the people for long.

Bayan bana-kari kari ngulkurr, bubu mayi-kari bama kari karrbal wubulku-ku.

bayan bana-kari kari ngulkurr, bubu mayi-kari bama kari karrbal wubul-ku-ku | camp water-PRIV NEG good, country food-PRIV person NEG hold all-EMPH(for.long)

bayan bana kari ngulkurr bubu mayi bama karrbal wubulku

bana-kari 'waterless' / mayi-kari 'foodless'; kari ngulkurr 'no good'; karrba-l hold


The child without a mother cries alone in the dark, and nobody comes to hold her by the fire.

Karrkay ngamu-kari nyubun-nyubun badi ngungul-ba, bama kari kaday nyungu karrba-nka baya ngundu.

karrkay ngamu-kari nyubun-nyubun badi ngungul-ba, bama kari kaday nyungu karrba-nka baya ngundu | child mother-PRIV alone cry dark-LOC, person NEG come her hold-PURP fire near

karrkay ngamu nyubun badil ngungul bama kari kaday karrbal baya

ngamu-kari 'motherless'; bama kari kada 'nobody comes' (no person); nyubun-nyubun alone


I want meat without the fat, and clean water without the mud, for I am an old man now.

Ngayu wawu minya-ka wandul-kari, bana-ka buyun-kari, ngayu mukul-dingkar niji.

ngayu wawu minya-ka wandul-kari, bana-ka buyun-kari, ngayu mukul-dingkar niji | 1sg want meat-DAT fat-PRIV, water-DAT bad(mud)-PRIV, 1sg old-man now

ngayu wawu minya wandul bana buyun mukul dingkar niji

wawu + DAT; wandul-kari 'without fat' / buyun-kari 'without mud'; wandul fat (b109)


The old woman without teeth cannot eat the hard, dry meat, so she eats only the soft sweet fruit.

Mukul-jalbu dirra-kari minya junkurr marral kari nukal, nyulu mayi jiba-wulay balbal nuka.

mukul-jalbu dirra-kari minya junkurr marral kari nukal, nyulu mayi jiba-wulay balbal nuka | old-woman tooth-PRIV meat hard dry NEG eat, 3sg fruit sweet soft eat

mukul jalbu dirra minya junkurr marral kari nukal mayi jiba-wulay

dirra-kari 'toothless' (dirra tooth b109); balbal 'soft/light'


Do not put your hand near the dog's mouth, child, lest it bite you hard on the finger.

Balu, karrkay, yundu mara kaya ngandal ngundu kari nanda, kaya-ngka yununy bayka-nyji junkurr.

balu, karrkay, yundu mara kaya ngandal ngundu kari nanda, kaya-ngka yununy bayka-nyji junkurr | desist, child, 2sg hand dog mouth near NEG put, dog-ERG:pt 2sg.ACC bite-PRECAUT hard

balu karrkay yundu mara kaya ngandal kari nanda yununy

⭐bayka-nyji 'lest bite' (PRECAUT, l.1143); yununy 2sg ACC (b108); ngandal mouth (b109)


Hold the little child tightly by the water, lest the deep, dark river carry her away downstream.

Karrkay buban junkurr karrba bana ngundu, wawubaja dajali ngungul-angka nyunga wundi-nyji bada.

karrkay buban junkurr karrba bana ngundu, wawubaja dajali ngungul-angka nyunga wundi-nyji bada | child small tightly hold water near, river deep dark-ERG:pt 3sg.ACC carry-PRECAUT down

karrkay buban junkurr karrbal bana wawubaja dajali ngungul wundil

⭐wundi-nyji 'lest carry off' (PRECAUT); wawubaja-ngka river as ERG agent; wundi-l carry


Cook the meat well in the hot coals, lest the people get sick from the raw red flesh.

Minya nguymal waju ngunjil wumbul-ba, bama minya kulbul-muny bambay-ma-nyji.

minya nguymal waju ngunjil wumbul-ba, bama minya kulbul-muny bambay-ma-nyji | meat thoroughly cook charcoal hot-LOC, person meat red(raw)-ABL sick-INCHO-PRECAUT

minya nguymal wajul ngunjil wumbul bama kulbul bambay

⭐bambay-ma-nyji 'lest get sick' (INCHO+PRECAUT, cf. ex.163); waju-l cook; nguymal thoroughly


Carry the firestick carefully through the dark scrub, lest the small warm flame die out in the wind.

Jidi janka karrba madja ngungul-burr, baya buban wumbul muyar-bu wula-nyji.

jidi janka karrba madja ngungul-burr, baya buban wumbul muyar-bu wula-nyji | firestick carefully hold scrub dark-PERL, fire small warm wind-INST die-PRECAUT

jidi janka karrbal madja ngungul baya buban wumbul muyar wulal

⭐wula-nyji 'lest die' (PRECAUT); jidi firestick (b107); muyar wind; INST muyar-bu


The old man walks with a friend to the far country, lest he grow lonely on the long, empty road.

Mukul-dingkar jawun-jirr dunga-y bubu kala-kalbay-ka, nyulu milkabujar-ma-nyji jina kalbay-burr.

mukul-dingkar jawun-jirr dunga-y bubu kala-kalbay-ka, nyulu milkabujar-ma-nyji jina kalbay-burr | old-man friend-COMIT go-NONPAST country far-DAT, 3sg lonely-INCHO-PRECAUT track long-PERL

mukul dingkar jawun dungay bubu kala-kalbay milkabujar jina kalbay

⭐milkabujar-ma-nyji 'lest get lonely' (ex.163); jawun friend + COMIT -jirr


Do not leave the meat on the ground, lest the hungry dingo come in the night and steal it away.

Balu, minya bubu-ngu kari nandal, murramu dakwuy wujurr-ba kada-ba-nyji, nyulu ngakin.

balu, minya bubu-ngu kari nandal, murramu dakwuy wujurr-ba kada-ba-nyji, nyulu ngaki-ny | desist, meat ground-LOC NEG leave, dingo hungry night-LOC come-PRECAUT, 3sg steal-PAST

balu minya bubu kari nanda murramu dakwuy wujurr ngaki

⭐kada-ba-nyji 'lest come' (y-conj +-ba-, l.3141); ngaki-l steal (b108); murramu dingo (b105)


Watch the little children closely by the fire, lest the hot red coals burn one of them.

Karrkay-karrkay nyaji-l-nyaji-l junkurr baya ngundu, ngunjil kulbul wumbul-angka nyubun waju-nyji.

karrkay-karrkay nyaji-l-nyaji-l junkurr baya ngundu, ngunjil kulbul wumbul-angka nyubun waju-nyji | child-REDUP watch closely fire near, charcoal red hot-ERG:pt one burn-PRECAUT

karrkay nyajil junkurr baya ngundu ngunjil kulbul wumbul nyubun wajul

⭐waju-nyji 'lest burn' (PRECAUT); nyaji-l-nyaji-l 'watch/guard'; ngunjil charcoal (b105)


Tie the strong dilly bag tightly, lest the dog steal the sweet ripe fruit from inside it.

Ngunyin junkurr kaja, kaya-ngka mayi kulbul jiba-wulay dukurr-muny ngaki-nyji.

ngunyin junkurr kaja, kaya-ngka mayi kulbul jiba-wulay dukurr-muny ngaki-nyji | dilly.bag strong tie, dog-ERG:pt fruit ripe sweet inside-ABL steal-PRECAUT

ngunyin junkurr kajal kaya mayi kulbul jiba-wulay dukurr ngaki

ngaki-nyji 'lest steal' (PRECAUT); kaja-l tie (b107); dukurr inside (b102)


The mother holds her child close in the dark, lest the bad spirit come and steal it away.

Ngamu-ngku nyungu karrkay junkurr karrban ngungul-ba, dubu buyun kada-ba-nyji, karrkay ngaki-nyji.

ngamu-ngku nyungu karrkay junkurr karrba-ny ngungul-ba, dubu buyun kada-ba-nyji, karrkay ngaki-nyji | mother-ERG:pt her child tightly hold-PAST dark-LOC, spirit bad come-PRECAUT, child steal-PRECAUT

ngamu karrkay junkurr karrbal ngungul dubu buyun ngaki

kada-ba-nyji + ngaki-nyji (two PRECAUT); dubu spirit (b?); buyun bad


Do not speak the dead man's name aloud, lest his angry spirit hear you and come in the night.

Balu, yundu dingkar wula-nya-mu burri yalbay kari balka, nyungu dubu kuli-jirr yununy nyaji-nyji.

balu, yundu dingkar wula-nya-mu burri yalbay kari balka, nyungu dubu kuli-jirr yununy nyaji-nyji | desist, 2sg man die-SUB-POSS name aloud NEG say, his spirit anger-COMIT 2sg.ACC hear-PRECAUT

balu yundu dingkar wulal burri yalbay kari balkal dubu kuli nyajil

⭐burri 'name' (b109); nyaji-nyji 'lest hear'; kuli-jirr 'angry' COMIT; balu prohibitive


The bright sun rose slowly over the far hills, and the whole wide sky turned red and gold above them.

Wungar balbal daka buban-buban jamba kala-kalbay-muny, jiri narmba yalbay kulbul-ma-n wangkar.

wungar balbal daka buban-buban jamba kala-kalbay-muny, jiri narmba yalbay kulbul-ma-ny wangkar | sun bright climb(rise) slowly hill far-ABL, sky all wide red-INCHO-PAST above

wungar balbal dakal jamba kala-kalbay jiri narmba yalbay kulbul wangkar

wungar 'sun', jiri 'sky'; daka-l rise (b103); kulbul-ma-n 'turned red' INCHO


The round moon is bright tonight, and it lights the whole quiet camp and the still, dark water below.

Kija murru-murru balbal wujurr niji, nyulu bayan narmba janka bana ngungul bada-bada balbal-mani.

kija murru-murru balbal wujurr niji, nyulu bayan narmba janka bana ngungul bada-bada balbal-mani | moon round bright night now, 3sg camp all quiet water dark below light-CAUS(light.up)

kija murru balbal wujurr niji bayan narmba bana ngungul bada

⭐kija 'moon' (l.2509); balbal-mani 'light up' (CAUS); wujurr night; murru-murru round


Many white stars filled the black sky, and the old man named them all for the listening children.

Dawar balbal wubul jiri ngumbu-ba, mukul-dingkar-angka narmba burri dajin karrkay-karrkay milka-janay-nya.

dawar balbal wubul jiri ngumbu-ba, mukul-dingkar-angka narmba burri daji-ny karrkay-karrkay milka-janay-nya | star white many sky black-LOC, old-man-ERG:pt all name give-PAST child-REDUP ear-stand(listen)-SUB

dawar balbal wubul jiri ngumbu mukul dingkar burri dajil milka

⭐dawar 'star' (NOT phantom jubuny); jiri sky; ngumbu black (b109); burri name (b109); milka-janay listen


Long, long ago the moon made the very first women at Roaring Meg Falls, the old people say.

Kalbay-muny kija jalbu nyubun-nyubun bungal Kijandaku-ngu, mukul-bama-ngka yala balka-l.

kalbay-muny kija jalbu nyubun-nyubun bunga-l Kijandaku-ngu, mukul-bama-ngka yala balka-l | long.ago moon woman first make Roaring.Meg.Falls-LOC, old-people-ERG:pt thus tell

kalbay kija jalbu nyubun bungal mukul bama balkal

⭐kija the moon-being made women at Kijandaku (l.719); bunga-l make; kalbay-muny long ago


Grey clouds fill the sky now, and soon the heavy rain will fall down upon the dry country.

Ngurrban wulman jiri-ba niji, nyiku-nyiku kaba kulngkul bubu marral-ka bada dara-y.

ngurrban wulman jiri-ba niji, nyiku-nyiku kaba kulngkul bubu marral-ka bada dara-y | cloud grey sky-LOC now, soon rain heavy country dry-DAT down fall-NONPAST

ngurrban wulman jiri niji nyiku-nyiku kaba kulngkul bubu marral dara

ngurrban 'cloud'; jiri sky; nyiku-nyiku 'soon'; kaba rain (b87); dara-y fall (b110)


The sun gives the day, and the moon gives the months, and the people count the seasons by them.

Wungar dajil wungar, kija dajil kija-kija, bama-ngka yinya-mu wungar-iji bulur-iji nyaji-l.

wungar dajil wungar, kija dajil kija-kija, bama-ngka yinya-mu wungar-iji bulur-iji nyaji-l | sun give day, moon give month-REDUP, person-ERG:pt them-ABL hot-season cold-season reckon(see)

wungar dajil kija bama wungar bulur nyajil

kija-kija 'months' (moon-REDUP); wungar-iji hot season / bulur-iji cold season (COMIT)


The morning star rises in the east before the sun, bright and white and quite alone in the sky.

Dawar wunkuwingku-mu daka wungar kariku, balbal nyubun-nyubun jiri-ba.

dawar wunkuwingku-mu daka wungar kariku, balbal nyubun-nyubun jiri-ba | star morning-POSS climb(rise) sun not.yet(before), bright alone sky-LOC

dawar wunkuwingku dakal wungar kariku balbal nyubun jiri

dawar 'morning star'; wungar kariku 'before the sun' (not-yet-sun); daka-l rise


The sky is clear and bright today, without a single cloud, and the hot sun burns the dry land.

Jiri balbal niji ngurrban-kari, wungar wumbul-angka bubu marral wajun.

jiri balbal niji ngurrban-kari, wungar wumbul-angka bubu marral waju-ny | sky bright now cloud-PRIV, sun hot-ERG:pt country dry burn-PAST

jiri balbal niji ngurrban wungar wumbul bubu marral wajul

jiri 'sky'; ngurrban-kari 'cloudless' (PRIV b110); waju-l burn; wungar sun


When the black clouds hide the moon, the whole camp lies in deep darkness until the cold dawn.

Ngurrban ngumbu kija ngalkal-ba kari niji, bayan narmba wujurr dajali-ba wuna wunkuwingku kariku.

ngurrban ngumbu kija ngalkal-ba kari niji, bayan narmba wujurr dajali-ba wuna wunkuwingku kariku | cloud black moon outside NEG now, camp all darkness deep-LOC lie morning not.yet(until)

ngurrban ngumbu kija ngalkal kari bayan wujurr dajali wunkuwingku

kija moon, ngurrban cloud; wujurr 'darkness'; wunkuwingku kariku 'until dawn'


Two bright stars sit low in the northern sky, and the old man steers by them walking at night.

Dawar jambul balbal jiri kungkarr-ba bada, mukul-dingkar-angka yinya-mu nyaji-l wujurr-ba jilba-nka.

dawar jambul balbal jiri kungkarr-ba bada, mukul-dingkar-angka yinya-mu nyaji-l wujurr-ba jilba-nka | star two bright sky north-LOC low, old-man-ERG:pt them-ABL see night-LOC walk-PURP

dawar jambul balbal jiri kungkarr bada mukul dingkar nyajil wujurr

dawar star, jiri sky; kungkarr north (b102); jilba-nka PURP 'to walk'


The full moon is big and round and low tonight, hanging over the dark trees by the wide river.

Kija yalbay murru-murru bada niji, juku ngumbu wangkar wuna wawubaja yalbay ngundu.

kija yalbay murru-murru bada niji, juku ngumbu wangkar wuna wawubaja yalbay ngundu | moon big round low now, tree black above hang(lie) river wide near

kija yalbay murru bada niji juku ngumbu wangkar wawubaja

kija 'full moon'; murru-murru round; ngumbu black; wawubaja river (b93)


The sun went down behind the western hills, and the sky burned red before the dark night came.

Wungar bada dungan jamba kudamundu, jiri kulbul wajun wujurr kada-nya kariku.

wungar bada dunga-ny jamba kudamundu, jiri kulbul waju-ny wujurr kada-nya kariku | sun down go-PAST hill behind, sky red burn-PAST night come-SUB not.yet(before)

wungar bada dungay jamba kudamundu jiri kulbul wajul wujurr

wungar sun, jiri sky; bada down; kudamundu behind (b102); wujurr night; waju-l burn


The moon grows big, then small, then big once more — that is how the old people reckon the passing months.

Kija yalbay-ma-l, buban-ma-l, yalbay-ma-l-baja — yala mukul-bama-ngka kija-kija nyaji-l.

kija yalbay-ma-l, buban-ma-l, yalbay-ma-l-baja — yala mukul-bama-ngka kija-kija nyaji-l | moon big-INCHO, small-INCHO, big-INCHO-again — thus old-people-ERG:pt month-REDUP reckon(see)

kija moon/month; yalbay-ma-l 'wax', buban-ma-l 'wane'; kija-kija 'months'


The stars are the small fires of the old dead people, burning far away in the black night sky.

Dawar bama wula-nya-mu baya buban, kala-kalbay wajun jiri ngumbu wujurr-ba.

dawar bama wula-nya-mu baya buban, kala-kalbay waju-ny jiri ngumbu wujurr-ba | star person die-SUB-POSS fire small, far burn-PAST sky black night-LOC

dawar bama wulal baya buban kala-kalbay wajul jiri ngumbu wujurr

dawar star; bama wula-nya-mu 'dead people's'; baya fire; jiri sky; wujurr night


In the early morning the old man rises with the sun and walks down to the cool river to bathe.

Wunkuwingku mukul-dingkar wungar-jirr wandin, bana ngiki-ka bada jilban janji-nka.

wunkuwingku mukul-dingkar wungar-jirr wandi-ny, bana ngiki-ka bada jilba-ny janji-nka | morning old-man sun-COMIT get.up-PAST, water cool-DAT down walk-PAST bathe-PURP

wunkuwingku mukul dingkar wungar wandil bana ngiki bada jilba janji

wunkuwingku 'morning'; wandi-l get up (b103); janji-l bathe (b103); janji-nka PURP


At midday the sun stands high overhead, and the people rest quietly in the cool shade of the trees.

Wungar wangkar-wangkar janay, bama janka bundan juku ngungul-ba wumbul-muny.

wungar wangkar-wangkar janay, bama janka bunda-ny juku ngungul-ba wumbul-muny | sun above(midday) stand, person quietly sit-PAST tree shade-LOC heat-ABL

wungar wangkar janay bama janka bundal juku ngungul wumbul

⭐wungar wangkar-wangkar 'midday' (sun-overhead); juku ngungul 'tree shade'; janka quietly


In the evening the sun goes down into the sea, and the cool night comes over the quiet camp.

Wujurr-ma-nya wungar jalun-ka bada dungan, ngiki wujurr kaday bayan janka-nga.

wujurr-ma-nya wungar jalun-ka bada dunga-ny, ngiki wujurr kaday bayan janka-nga | become.night-SUB(evening) sun sea-DAT down go-PAST, cool night come camp quiet-LOC

wujurr wungar jalun bada dungay ngiki kaday bayan janka

⭐wujurr-ma-nya 'evening/dusk' (become-night SUB); jalun sea (b102); wujurr night


All through the dark night the old people sleep, and the little children lie close by the warm fire.

Wujurr ngungul-ba wubulku mukul-bama warngku wuna, karrkay-karrkay buban baya wumbul ngundu wuna.

wujurr ngungul-ba wubul-ku mukul-bama warngku wuna, karrkay-karrkay buban baya wumbul ngundu wuna | night dark-LOC all old-people sleep lie, child-REDUP small fire warm near lie

wujurr ngungul wubul mukul bama warngku wunay karrkay baya wumbul

wujurr 'night'; warngku sleep (b101); wubulku all


When the first light comes in the cold dawn, the little birds wake and call in the tall trees.

Balbal wunkuwingku ngiki-ba kada-nya, buyi buban wandin yirrka-l juku kalbay-mba.

balbal wunkuwingku ngiki-ba kada-nya, buyi buban wandi-ny yirrka-l juku kalbay-mba | light morning cold-LOC come-SUB, bird small wake-PAST call tree tall-LOC

balbal wunkuwingku ngiki kaday buyi buban wandil yirrkal juku kalbay

balbal 'light/dawn'; wunkuwingku morning; wandi-l wake (b103); yirrka-l call


The sun climbs slowly up the sky all morning, and by midday it burns hot upon the open plain.

Wungar wangkar daka buban-buban wunkuwingku wubulku, wungar wangkar-wangkar wumbul wajun bubu ngalkal-ba.

wungar wangkar daka buban-buban wunkuwingku wubul-ku, wungar wangkar-wangkar wumbul waju-ny bubu ngalkal-ba | sun up climb slowly morning all, sun midday-LOC hot burn-PAST ground open-LOC

wungar wangkar dakal buban wunkuwingku wubul wumbul wajul bubu ngalkal

wungar sun; daka-l climb; wungar wangkar-wangkar midday; waju-l burn; ngalkal open (b102)


In the afternoon the shadows grow long, and the old man turns back towards the camp and the fire.

Wungar bada dunga-nya, ngungul kalbay-ma-l, mukul-dingkar bayan-ka baya-ka nyunban.

wungar bada dunga-nya, ngungul kalbay-ma-l, mukul-dingkar bayan-ka baya-ka nyunba-ny | sun down go-SUB(afternoon), shade long-INCHO, old-man camp-DAT fire-DAT return-PAST

wungar bada dungay ngungul kalbay mukul dingkar bayan baya nyunbay

'afternoon' = wungar bada dunga-nya (sun going down); ngungul 'shade'; nyunba-y return


Night falls quickly in this country, and the darkness lies over the hills and the deep river valleys.

Wujurr buyun-buyun kaday bubu yinya-ba, ngungul jamba wawubaja dajali-ba wuna.

wujurr buyun-buyun kaday bubu yinya-ba, ngungul jamba wawubaja dajali-ba wuna | night quickly come country that-LOC, darkness hill river deep-LOC lie

wujurr buyun-buyun kaday bubu yinya ngungul jamba wawubaja dajali

wujurr night; buyun-buyun quickly; ngungul darkness; jamba hill (b93); dajali deep


The old woman cooks the meat at dusk, when the last red light fades from the western sky.

Mukul-jalbu-ngku minya wajun wujurr-ma-nya, balbal kulbul jiri kudamundu-muny wula.

mukul-jalbu-ngku minya waju-ny wujurr-ma-nya, balbal kulbul jiri kudamundu-muny wula | old-woman-ERG:pt meat cook-PAST become.night-SUB(dusk), light red sky behind(west)-ABL die(fade)

mukul jalbu minya wajul wujurr balbal kulbul jiri kudamundu wulal

wujurr-ma-nya 'dusk'; balbal kulbul 'red light'; wula-l 'fade' (die); waju-l cook (b98)


Before the dawn, in the coldest dark, the whole camp is silent and the fires burn low and red.

Wunkuwingku kariku, ngiki ngungul-ba, bayan narmba janka wuna, baya bada wajun kulbul.

wunkuwingku kariku, ngiki ngungul-ba, bayan narmba janka wuna, baya bada waju-ny kulbul | morning not.yet(before), cold dark-LOC, camp all quiet lie, fire low burn-PAST red

wunkuwingku kariku ngiki ngungul bayan narmba janka baya wajul kulbul

wunkuwingku kariku 'before dawn'; ngiki cold; baya fire; waju-l burn


The children play the whole long day in the warm sun, and they sleep when the night comes at last.

Karrkay-karrkay wungar wubulku yajarri-l wumbul-ba, jana warngku wuna wujurr kada-nya.

karrkay-karrkay wungar-ba wubul-ku yajarri-l wumbul-ba, jana warngku wuna wujurr kada-nya | child-REDUP sun(day)-LOC all play warm-LOC, 3pl sleep lie night come-SUB

karrkay wungar wubul yajarril wumbul jana warngku wunay wujurr kaday

wungar 'day'; yajarri-l play (b8); wujurr night; warngku sleep


The morning star fades as the sun rises, and the new day comes over the wide, waking country.

Dawar wunkuwingku-mu wula wungar daka-nya, wungar jirakal kaday bubu yalbay wandi-nya.

dawar wunkuwingku-mu wula wungar daka-nya, wungar jirakal kaday bubu yalbay wandi-nya | star morning-POSS die(fade) sun climb-SUB, day new come country wide wake-SUB

dawar wunkuwingku wulal wungar dakal jirakal bubu yalbay wandil

dawar morning star; wula 'fade'; wungar daka-nya 'as the sun rises'; jirakal new (b107)


The old man came back to the camp yesterday, and he will go out hunting again tomorrow morning.

Mukul-dingkar bayan-ka nyunban yilayku, nyulu balbi-ka dunga-y-baja wunkun wunkuwingku.

mukul-dingkar bayan-ka nyunba-ny yilayku, nyulu balbi-ka dunga-y-baja wunkun wunkuwingku | old-man camp-DAT return-PAST yesterday, 3sg hunt-DAT go-NONPAST-again tomorrow morning

mukul dingkar bayan nyunbay yilayku balbi dungay wunkun wunkuwingku

⭐yilayku 'yesterday' (b108) + wunkun 'TOMORROW' (real word); balbi-ka DAT 'to hunt'


I am hungry now, but I ate nothing this morning and nothing at all yesterday in the camp.

Ngayu dakwuy niji, yamba ngayu yamba-kari nukan wunkuwingku, yamba-kari yilayku bayan-ba.

ngayu dakwuy niji, yamba ngayu yamba-kari nuka-ny wunkuwingku, yamba-kari yilayku bayan-ba | 1sg hungry now, but 1sg nothing eat-PAST morning, nothing yesterday camp-LOC

ngayu dakwuy niji yamba nukal wunkuwingku yilayku bayan

niji 'now', wunkuwingku 'morning', yilayku 'yesterday'; yamba-kari nothing (b110)


Long, long ago the old people lived in this country, and their fathers lived here before them.

Ngadi kalbay-muny mukul-bama bubu yinya-ba wuna, nyungu nganjan yinyay wuna jana kariku.

ngadi kalbay-muny mukul-bama bubu yinya-ba wuna, nyungu nganjan yinyay wuna jana kariku | a.long.time long.ago old-people country that-LOC live, their father there live 3pl before(not.yet)

ngadi kalbay mukul bama bubu yinya wunay nganjan jana

⭐ngadi 'a long time' + kalbay-muny 'long ago'; nganjan father (b94); wuna 'live/lie'


The two young men will come back soon, when the sun stands high at midday over the hills.

Warru jambul nyunba nyiku-nyiku, wungar wangkar-wangkar janay jamba-nga.

warru jambul nyunba nyiku-nyiku, wungar wangkar-wangkar janay jamba-nga | young.man two return soon, sun midday-LOC stand hill-LOC

warru jambul nyunbay nyiku-nyiku wungar wangkar janay jamba

⭐nyiku-nyiku 'soon'; wungar wangkar-wangkar midday; janay stand; jamba hill


Then the old man stood up, took his long spear, and walked out into the cold grey morning.

Yinyamun mukul-dingkar wandin, nyungu kalka kalbay manin, ngalkal jilban ngiki wulman wunkuwingku.

yinyamun mukul-dingkar wandi-ny, nyungu kalka kalbay mani-ny, ngalkal jilba-ny ngiki wulman wunkuwingku | then old-man get.up-PAST, his spear long take-PAST, outside walk-PAST cold grey morning

yinyamun mukul dingkar wandil kalka kalbay manil ngalkal jilba wunkuwingku

⭐yinyamun 'then'; wandi-l get up; kalka spear (b107); mani-l take; wunkuwingku morning


I have waited a long time for the rain, but the sky stays dry and the hot sun burns on and on.

Ngayu kaba-ka bundan marri, yamba jiri marral wuna, wungar wumbul wajun-baja.

ngayu kaba-ka bunda-ny marri, yamba jiri marral wuna, wungar wumbul waju-ny-baja | 1sg rain-DAT sit(wait)-PAST long.time, but sky dry lie, sun hot burn-PAST-again

ngayu kaba bundal marri jiri marral wungar wumbul wajul

⭐marri 'a long time'; kaba rain (b87); jiri sky; bunda-l 'wait'; waju-l burn


The child was small yesterday, it seems, but now she is big and runs fast across the warm sand.

Karrkay buban yilayku yala, yamba niji nyulu yalbay warri bajaku jukar wumbul-burr.

karrkay buban yilayku yala, yamba niji nyulu yalbay warri bajaku jukar wumbul-burr | child small yesterday like, but now 3sg big run fast sand warm-PERL

karrkay buban yilayku yala niji yalbay warri jukar wumbul

yilayku 'yesterday' vs niji 'now'; jukar sand (b107); warri run


Tomorrow, when the sun rises, we two will walk to the far country to hunt the big grey kangaroo.

Wunkun, wungar daka-nya, ngali bubu kala-kalbay-ka jilba julmbanu yalbay balbi-nka.

wunkun, wungar daka-nya, ngali bubu kala-kalbay-ka jilba julmbanu yalbay balbi-nka | tomorrow, sun climb-SUB, 1du country far-DAT walk grey.kangaroo big hunt-PURP

wunkun wungar dakal ngali bubu kala-kalbay jilba julmbanu balbi

wunkun 'tomorrow'; wungar daka-nya 'as the sun rises'; julmbanu grey kangaroo (b105); balbi-nka PURP


The old woman has lived here a very long time, longer than anyone else now in the whole camp.

Mukul-jalbu yinya-ba wuna wuljal-wuljal, bama narmba-muny marri bajaku bayan-ba.

mukul-jalbu yinya-ba wuna wuljal-wuljal, bama narmba-muny marri bajaku bayan-ba | old-woman that-LOC live long.time, person all-ABL long.time very camp-LOC

mukul jalbu yinya wunay wuljal bama narmba marri bayan

wuljal-wuljal / marri 'a long time'; wuna 'live'; bajaku very


Now the hot season is here; soon the wet will come, and then the cold season after that.

Niji wungar-iji yala; nyiku-nyiku kaba kaday, yinyamun bulur-iji-baja.

niji wungar-iji yala; nyiku-nyiku kaba kaday, yinyamun bulur-iji-baja | now hot-season here; soon rain come, then cold-season-again

niji wungar nyiku-nyiku kaba kaday yinyamun bulur

niji now; wungar-iji hot season; nyiku-nyiku soon; yinyamun then; bulur-iji cold season


He will return after two moons, when the round moon has grown full and small and full once more.

Nyulu nyunba kija jambul-muny, kija murru-murru yalbay-ma-n, buban-ma-n, yalbay-ma-n-baja.

nyulu nyunba kija jambul-muny, kija murru-murru yalbay-ma-ny, buban-ma-ny, yalbay-ma-ny-baja | 3sg return moon two-ABL, moon round big-INCHO-PAST, small-INCHO-PAST, big-INCHO-PAST-again

nyulu nyunbay kija jambul murru yalbay buban

⭐kija jambul-muny 'after two moons/months' (ex.280); kija moon; yalbay-ma-ny wax / buban-ma-ny wane


Yesterday it rained all day, but today the sky is clear and the warm sun shines on the still water.

Yilayku kaba wungar wubulku, yamba niji jiri balbal, wungar wumbul bana-ba balbal-mani.

yilayku kaba wungar wubul-ku, yamba niji jiri balbal, wungar wumbul bana-ba balbal-mani | yesterday rain day all, but now sky clear(bright), sun warm water-LOC light-CAUS(shine)

yilayku kaba wungar wubul niji jiri balbal wumbul bana

yilayku yesterday, niji now; jiri sky; balbal-mani 'shine' (light-CAUS)


The people gather together here every year when the sweet fruit ripens in the warm hot season.

Bama yala muru kaday wungar-iji narmba, mayi jiba-wulay kulbul-ma-nya wumbul-ba.

bama yala muru kaday wungar-iji narmba, mayi jiba-wulay kulbul-ma-nya wumbul-ba | person here together come hot-season all, fruit sweet ripe-INCHO-SUB warm-LOC

bama yala muru kaday wungar narmba mayi jiba-wulay kulbul wumbul

muru 'together'; wungar-iji hot season; kulbul-ma-nya 'when it ripens'


Then, in the old days, the country was full of game, and nobody in the camp went hungry at all.

Yinyamun, wungar mukul-ba, bubu minya wubul-jirr, bama kari dakwuy bayan-ba.

yinyamun, wungar mukul-ba, bubu minya wubul-jirr, bama kari dakwuy bayan-ba | then, day old-LOC, country game many-COMIT, person NEG hungry camp-LOC

yinyamun wungar mukul bubu minya wubul bama kari dakwuy bayan

yinyamun 'then'; wungar mukul 'old days'; minya wubul-jirr 'with much game'; kari NEG (b110)


In the hot season the sun burns fierce, the waterholes dry right up, and the people move to the sea.

Wungar-iji wungar wumbul wajun, janku marral-ma-l, bama jalun-ka dunga-y.

wungar-iji wungar wumbul waju-ny, janku marral-ma-l, bama jalun-ka dunga-y | hot-season sun hot burn-PAST, waterhole dry-INCHO, person sea-DAT go-NONPAST

wungar wumbul wajul janku marral bama jalun dungay

⭐wungar-iji 'hot season'; janku waterhole (b93); marral-ma-l 'dry up'; jalun sea


When the heavy wet-season rains come, the rivers run full and the whole dry country turns lush and good.

Kaba kulngkul kaday, wawubaja yalbay-ma-l wanarri, bubu narmba marral ngulkurr-ma-l.

kaba kulngkul kaday, wawubaja yalbay-ma-l wanarri, bubu narmba marral ngulkurr-ma-l | rain heavy come, river big-INCHO run, country all dry good-INCHO

kaba kulngkul kaday wawubaja yalbay wanarri bubu narmba marral ngulkurr

kaba 'rain/wet'; wawubaja river; wanarri run (b100); ngulkurr-ma-l 'become good/lush'


In the cold season the morning dew lies white on the grass, and the old people sit close by the fire.

Bulur-iji bulur balbal jikan-ba wuna wunkuwingku, mukul-bama janka bundan baya ngundu.

bulur-iji bulur balbal jikan-ba wuna wunkuwingku, mukul-bama janka bunda-ny baya ngundu | cold-season dew white grass-LOC lie morning, old-people quietly sit-PAST fire near

bulur balbal jikan wunay wunkuwingku mukul bama janka bundal baya

⭐bulur-iji 'cold season' (bulur 'morning dew/chill'-COMIT, l.6034); jikan grass; wunkuwingku morning


The dry time comes after the wet, when the rains stop and the cold winds blow in from the sea.

Marral-wungar kaba-muny kaday, kaba wula, muyar ngiki jalun-muny wanarri.

marral-wungar kaba-muny kaday, kaba wula, muyar ngiki jalun-muny wanarri | dry-time rain-ABL come, rain die(stop), wind cold sea-ABL run(blow)

marral wungar kaba kaday wulal muyar ngiki jalun wanarri

marral-wungar 'dry time'; kaba wula 'the rain stops'; muyar wind (b110); jalun sea


The old man remembers the hot season when his mother's father died, long ago in this same country.

Mukul-dingkar binal wungar-iji-mu, nyungu ngaji wungar-iji wulan kalbay-muny bubu yinya-ba.

mukul-dingkar binal wungar-iji-mu, nyungu ngaji wungar-iji wula-ny kalbay-muny bubu yinya-ba | old-man know(remember) hot-season-POSS, his MF hot-season die-PAST long.ago country that-LOC

mukul dingkar binal wungar ngaji wulal kalbay bubu yinya

⭐ngaji 'mother's father' + wungar-iji wula-ny 'died in the hot season' (ex.541); binal remember


Each year the moon dies and is born again many times, and so the old people count the turning seasons.

Wungar nyubun-ba kija wula wandi-baja wubul, yala mukul-bama-ngka wungar-iji bulur-iji nyaji-l.

wungar nyubun-ba kija wula wandi-baja wubul, yala mukul-bama-ngka wungar-iji bulur-iji nyaji-l | year(day) one-LOC moon die get.up(born)-again many, thus old-people-ERG:pt hot-season cold-season reckon(see)

wungar nyubun kija wulal wandil wubul mukul bama bulur nyajil

kija wula / wandi-baja 'moon dies and is reborn'; wungar-iji/bulur-iji seasons; wubul many


The wet season is the time of thunder and lightning, and the people fear the great storms in the sky.

Kaba wungar-iji jarramali balbay-jirr, bama yararri muyar yalbay jiri-ba.

kaba wungar-iji jarramali balbay-jirr, bama yararri muyar yalbay jiri-ba | rain hot-season thunder lightning-COMIT, person afraid wind big sky-LOC

kaba wungar jarramali balbay bama yararri muyar yalbay jiri

jarramali 'thunder' + balbay 'lightning' (b87); yararri afraid (b99); muyar wind; jiri sky


When the cold dew lies heavy at dawn, the old woman knows the cold season has truly come at last.

Bulur kulngkul wunkuwingku wuna-nya, mukul-jalbu binal bulur-iji yala kaday nguymal.

bulur kulngkul wunkuwingku wuna-nya, mukul-jalbu binal bulur-iji yala kaday nguymal | dew heavy morning lie-SUB, old-woman know cold-season here come truly

bulur kulngkul wunkuwingku wunay mukul jalbu binal bulur nguymal

bulur 'dew'; bulur-iji cold season; binal know (b108); nguymal truly (b105)


In the wet season the country is good and full of food, but in the dry it is poor and bare.

Kaba wungar-iji-ba bubu ngulkurr mayi-jirr, yamba marral-wungar-a bubu buyun mayi-kari.

kaba wungar-iji-ba bubu ngulkurr mayi-jirr, yamba marral-wungar-a bubu buyun mayi-kari | rain hot-season-LOC country good food-COMIT, but dry-time-LOC country poor food-PRIV

kaba wungar bubu ngulkurr mayi marral buyun

bubu ngulkurr mayi-jirr 'good country with food' vs bubu buyun mayi-kari 'poor without food' (PRIV b110)


Sun, moon, and stars, morning and night, the hot and the cold — this is how time turns in the country.

Wungar, kija, dawar, wunkuwingku wujurr-jirr, wungar-iji bulur-iji-jirr — yala wungar bubu-ba jurrki-l.

wungar, kija, dawar, wunkuwingku wujurr-jirr, wungar-iji bulur-iji-jirr — yala wungar bubu-ba jurrki-l | sun moon star morning night-COMIT, hot-season cold-season-COMIT — thus time country-LOC turn

wungar kija dawar wunkuwingku wujurr bulur jurrkil bubu

⭐full inventory: wungar/kija/dawar/wunkuwingku/wujurr/wungar-iji/bulur-iji; jurrki-l turn (b103)


The old man said the strong young man is like a spear: fast, hard at the point, and it flies very far.

Mukul-dingkarangka balkan: warru junkurr yala kalka — bila bajaku, biyul junkurr, kala-kalbay dungay.

mukul-dingkar-angka balka-ny: warru junkurr yala kalka — bila bajaku, biyul junkurr, kala-kalbay dunga-y | old-man-ERG:pt said: young.man strong COMP(like) spear — fast very, point hard, far go-NONPAST

mukul dingkar balkal warru junkurr yala kalka bila biyul kala-kalbay

⭐X yala Y 'like a spear'; yala COMP (l.3748); kalka spear (b107); biyul point (b107); bila fast


She is like her own mother in every way — the same face, the same walk, and the same laugh in the evening.

Nyulu yala nyungu ngamu wubulku-ba — walu nyubun, jilba nyubun, yajarri nyubun wujurr-ma-nya.

nyulu yala nyungu ngamu wubul-ku-ba — walu nyubun, jilba nyubun, yajarri nyubun wujurr-ma-nya | 3sg COMP(like) her mother all-LOC — face one(same), walk one(same), laugh one(same) evening

nyulu yala ngamu wubul walu nyubun jilba yajarril wujurr

yala 'like her mother' (ex.604); walu 'face', nyubun 'one/same'; yajarri laugh; jilba walk (b103)


The big grey kangaroo stands like a boss of the land, the old man said, watching the whole open plain.

Julmbanu yalbay janay yala maja bubu-nka, mukul-dingkar balkan, bubu ngalkal narmba nyaji-l.

julmbanu yalbay janay yala maja bubu-nka, mukul-dingkar balka-ny, bubu ngalkal narmba nyaji-l | grey.kangaroo big stand COMP(like) boss land-DAT, old-man said, ground open all watch

julmbanu yalbay janay yala maja bubu ngalkal narmba nyajil

⭐yala maja 'like a boss' (ex.267); julmbanu grey kangaroo (b105); ngalkal open (b102)


He is just like his father — the same quick anger, and the same love for a long evening story by the fire.

Nyulu yala-rrku nyungu nganjan — kuli nyubun bila daka, kuku kalbay-ka wawu nyubun baya ngundu.

nyulu yala-rrku nyungu nganjan — kuli nyubun bila daka, kuku kalbay-ka wawu nyubun baya ngundu | 3sg COMP-EMPH(just.the.same) his father — anger one(same) fast rise, word(story) long-DAT want one(same) fire near

nyulu yala-rrku nganjan kuli nyubun bila dakal kuku kalbay wawu

⭐yala-rrku 'just the same as' (ex.207); kuli anger (l.1476); wawu want+DAT (b110); kuku kalbay 'long story'


The little child is like a small shadow of the old woman, always close by her wherever she walks in the camp.

Karrkay buban yala ngungul buban mukul-jalbu-mu, yinya ngundu wubulku nyulu jilba bayan-ba.

karrkay buban yala ngungul buban mukul-jalbu-mu, yinya ngundu wubul-ku nyulu jilba bayan-ba | child small COMP(like) shadow small old-woman-POSS, that near all 3sg walk camp-LOC

karrkay buban yala ngungul mukul jalbu yinya jilba bayan

yala 'like a shadow'; ngungul shade/shadow; POSS -mu; jilba walk


The old woman said a good friend is like deep still water — quiet on top, but holding much life underneath.

Mukul-jalbu balkan: jawun ngulkurr yala bana dajali janka — wangkar janka, yamba julbi minya wubul bada-bada.

mukul-jalbu balka-ny: jawun ngulkurr yala bana dajali janka — wangkar janka, yamba julbi minya wubul bada-bada | old-woman said: friend good COMP(like) water deep still — top quiet, but inside life(guts) many below

mukul jalbu jawun ngulkurr yala bana dajali janka julbi wubul

yala 'like deep water'; jawun friend (b110); dajali deep; julbi guts/inside (b109)


That angry man is like a fierce dog, the children said — all noise and teeth, but he runs from a raised stick.

Yinya dingkar kuli-ji yala kaya kuli-baka, karrkay-karrkay balkan — yirrka dirra-jirr, yamba nyulu warri juku wandi-nya-muny.

yinya dingkar kuli-ji yala kaya kuli-baka, karrkay-karrkay balka-ny — yirrka dirra-jirr, yamba nyulu warri juku wandi-nya-muny | that man anger-COMIT COMP(like) dog rage-excess, child-REDUP said — noise tooth-COMIT, but 3sg run stick raise-SUB-ABL

yinya dingkar kuli yala kaya karrkay yirrka dirra warri juku

yala kaya 'like a dog'; kuli-ji 'with-anger' (l.1927), kuli-baka 'fierce' (l.2064); dirra tooth (b109); warri run


The old man said a wise person is like a tall tree: deep roots below, and a cool wide shade for all who come.

Mukul-dingkar balkan: bama binal yala juku kalbay — ngara dajali bada-bada, ngungul ngiki yalbay bama kada-nya-nka wubulku.

mukul-dingkar balka-ny: bama binal yala juku kalbay — ngara dajali bada-bada, ngungul ngiki yalbay bama kada-nya-nka wubul-ku | old-man said: person wise COMP(like) tree tall — root deep below, shade cool wide person come-SUB-DAT all

mukul dingkar bama binal yala juku kalbay ngara ngungul ngiki

yala juku 'like a tree'; binal wise/know (b108); ngara root; ngungul shade; kalbay tall


Her voice in song is like running water over stones, the old man said, and it carried far in the still night.

Nyungu kuku wulngku-ba yala bana wanarri kulji-burr, mukul-dingkar balkan, kala-kalbay janay wujurr janka-nga.

nyungu kuku wulngku-ba yala bana wanarri kulji-burr, mukul-dingkar balka-ny, kala-kalbay janay wujurr janka-nga | her word(voice) song-LOC COMP(like) water run stone-PERL, old-man said, far stand(carry) night quiet-LOC

kuku wulngku yala bana wanarri kulji mukul dingkar kala-kalbay wujurr

yala 'like running water'; wanarri run (l.2018); kulji stone (b107); kulji-burr PERL 'over stones'; wulngku song


The two brothers are like two spears from the one hand — thrown together, flying the same way to the same mark.

Yaba jambul yala kalka jambul mara nyubun-muny — dama-l nyubun-bu, wanarri nyubun-ba juku nyubun-ka.

yaba jambul yala kalka jambul mara nyubun-muny — dama-l nyubun-bu, wanarri nyubun-ba juku nyubun-ka | eB two COMP(like) spear two hand one-ABL — throw one-INST(together), fly(run) one-LOC mark one-DAT

yaba jambul yala kalka mara nyubun damal wanarri juku

yala 'like two spears'; nyubun-bu 'as one/together'; yaba elder brother (b?); dama-l throw


The old woman said a lie is like a snake in the grass — you do not see it, and then it bites when you least expect.

Mukul-jalbu balkan: kuku-buyun yala jarba jikan-ba — yundu kari nyaji-l, yinyamun nyulu bayka yundu binal-kari.

mukul-jalbu balka-ny: kuku-buyun yala jarba jikan-ba — yundu kari nyaji-l, yinyamun nyulu bayka yundu binal-kari | old-woman said: word-bad(lie) COMP(like) snake grass-LOC — you NEG see, then 3sg bite you know-PRIV

mukul jalbu kuku buyun yala jarba jikan kari nyajil bayka

yala jarba 'like a snake'; kuku-buyun 'lie' (word-bad); jarba snake; bayka-l bite; binal-kari 'unaware' (PRIV)


He walks like an old man now, slow and bent, though once he ran like the wind across the open plain.

Nyulu jilba yala mukul-dingkar niji, buban-buban bangkarr-baka, yamba kalbay-muny nyulu wanarri yala muyar bubu ngalkal-burr.

nyulu jilba yala mukul-dingkar niji, buban-buban bangkarr-baka, yamba kalbay-muny nyulu wanarri yala muyar bubu ngalkal-burr | 3sg walk COMP(like) old-man now, slowly body-bent, but long.ago 3sg run COMP(like) wind ground open-PERL

nyulu jilba yala mukul dingkar niji kalbay wanarri muyar ngalkal

two similes: yala mukul-dingkar / yala muyar 'like the wind'; muyar wind (b110); kalbay-muny long ago


The old man said the country holds its old stories like a deep pool holds the fish: unseen, but there, and waiting.

Mukul-dingkar balkan: bubu kuku ngadiku karrba yala bana dajali kuyu karrbal — kari nyaji, yamba yinya-ba, bunda-nya.

mukul-dingkar balka-ny: bubu kuku ngadiku karrba yala bana dajali kuyu karrba-l — kari nyaji, yamba yinya-ba, bunda-nya | old-man said: country word old holds COMP(like) water deep fish holds — NEG seen, but there-LOC, waiting(sit-SUB)

mukul dingkar bubu kuku ngadiku karrbal yala bana dajali kuyu

yala 'like a deep pool'; karrba-l hold (b?); kuyu fish; ngadiku old/of-old; dajali deep


The old woman looked at the boy and said: he looks just like a young pig, all round belly and quick little eyes.

Mukul-jalbu-ngku karrkay nyajin, balkan: nyulu yala walu-walu yala bikibiki buban, jibar murru-murru, miyil buban bila.

mukul-jalbu-ngku karrkay nyaji-ny, balka-ny: nyulu yala walu-walu yala bikibiki buban, jibar murru-murru, miyil buban bila | old-woman-ERG:pt child saw, said: 3sg COMP looks COMP(like) pig small, belly round, eye small fast

mukul jalbu karrkay nyajil yala walu bikibiki jibar miyil bila

⭐yala walu-walu yala X 'looks like' (ex.205); walu face->walu-walu looks; jibar belly (b109); miyil eye (b109)


The old man said the dark rain-cloud looks like a great fish rising slowly from the deep water of the sky.

Mukul-dingkar balkan: ngurrban ngumbu yala walu-walu yala kuyu yalbay daka buban-buban bana dajali jiri-muny.

mukul-dingkar balka-ny: ngurrban ngumbu yala walu-walu yala kuyu yalbay daka buban-buban bana dajali jiri-muny | old-man said: cloud black COMP looks COMP(like) fish big rise slowly water deep sky-ABL

mukul dingkar ngurrban ngumbu yala walu kuyu yalbay dakal jiri

yala walu-walu yala 'looks like' (ex.205); ngurrban cloud (b111); kuyu fish; jiri sky (b111)


Hold the digging-stick like this, the old woman told the girl, and turn your wrist like this, and the yam comes up whole.

Juwal karrba yala-ku, mukul-jalbu-ngku jalbu karrkay yalaman, mara jurrki yala-ku, bambayal narmba daka.

juwal karrba yala-ku, mukul-jalbu-ngku jalbu karrkay yalama-ny, mara jurrki yala-ku, bambayal narmba daka | digging.stick hold COMP-ADV(like.this), old-woman-ERG:pt girl child told, hand turn like.this, yam whole rise

juwal karrbal yala-ku mukul jalbu yalamal mara jurrkil kuka narmba

⭐yala-ku 'like this' (ex.243); juwal digging-stick (b107); jurrki-l turn (b103); yalama-l tell/say (b110)


You must weave the dilly-bag like this, she said, over and under, over and under, the same way your grandmother taught me.

Yinkar kaja yala-ku, nyulu balkan, wangkar bada-bada, wangkar bada-bada, yala-rrku nyungu babi ngayku murnin.

yinkar kaja yala-ku, nyulu balka-ny, wangkar bada-bada, wangkar bada-bada, yala-rrku nyungu babi ngayku murni-ny | dilly.bag weave(tie) COMP-ADV(like.this), 3sg said, over under, over under, COMP-EMPH(the.same.way) her grandmother me taught

yinkar kajal yala-ku wangkar yala-rrku babi ngayku murnil

yala-ku 'like this' + yala-rrku 'the same way'; yinkar dilly-bag (b107); kaja-l tie/weave (b107); babi grandmother (b107)


The clever old man could read the whole sky: he said a red dawn looks just like fire, and warns of a big wind coming.

Mukul-dingkar binal jiri narmba nyajin: nyulu balkan, wunkuwingku kulbul yala walu-walu yala baya, muyar yalbay kada-nya balka.

mukul-dingkar binal jiri narmba nyaji-ny: nyulu balka-ny, wunkuwingku kulbul yala walu-walu yala baya, muyar yalbay kada-nya balka | old-man wise sky all read(saw): 3sg said, morning red COMP looks COMP(like) fire, wind big come-SUB tells

mukul dingkar binal jiri narmba nyajil wunkuwingku kulbul muyar baya

yala walu-walu yala baya 'looks just like fire'; binal jiri 'reads the sky'; wunkuwingku morning (b111)


The child asked why the moon changes, and the old woman said: it grows fat and thin like a woman carrying a child.

Karrkay-angka babajin wanyurringku kija yindu-mal, mukul-jalbu balkan: nyulu wandul-mal buban-mal yala jalbu karrkay jarra-kulba-nya.

karrkay-angka babaji-ny wanyurringku kija yindu-ma-l, mukul-jalbu balka-ny: nyulu wandul-ma-l buban-ma-l yala jalbu karrkay jarra-kulba-nya | child-ERG:pt asked why moon changes(INCHO), old-woman said: 3sg fat-INCHO small-INCHO COMP(like) woman child carry-SUB

karrkay babajil wanyurringku kija yala jalbu wandul buban bangkal

yala jalbu 'like a woman'; wanyurringku 'why' (b108); kija moon (b111); wandul fat (b109); babaji-l ask (b108)


The old man held up two stones and said: this hard one is like a man's word — once given, it does not break or change.

Mukul-dingkarangka kulji jambul wandin, balkan: yinya junkurr yala dingkar-mu kuku — nyubun-bu dajin, kari dumbarri, kari yindu-mal.

mukul-dingkar-angka kulji jambul wandi-ny, balka-ny: yinya junkurr yala dingkar-mu kuku — nyubun-bu daji-ny, kari dumbarri, kari yindu-ma-l | old-man-ERG:pt stone two raised, said: that hard COMP(like) man-POSS word — one-INST(once) given, NEG break, NEG change

mukul dingkar kulji jambul wandil yala kuku nyubun bakal yindu

yala 'like a man's word'; nyubun-bu 'once/as one'; kulji stone (b107); baka-l break; kari NEG (b110)


She sang the old song exactly like this, the old people said, the same way it was sung long ago at the big meetings.

Nyulu wulngku ngadiku yala-ku murrunmani, mukul-bama balkan, yala-rrku murunman kalbay-muny muru yalbay-mba.

nyulu wulngku ngadiku yala-ku murrun-mani, mukul-bama balka-ny, yala-rrku murrun-ma-ny kalbay-muny muru yalbay-mba | 3sg song old COMP-ADV(like.this) sang, old-people said, COMP-EMPH(the.same.way) sung long.ago meeting big-LOC

nyulu wulngku ngadiku yala-ku mukul bama yala-rrku kalbay muru

yala-ku 'like this' + yala-rrku 'the same way'; wulngku song; muru gather/meeting (b111); ngadiku of-old


The old man showed the boy how to hold the spear-thrower like this, so the spear flies straight and true and far.

Mukul-dingkarangka karrkay nyaji-mani balur karrba yala-ku, kalka wanarri nyubun-ba kala-kalbay-ka.

mukul-dingkar-angka karrkay nyaji-mani balur karrba yala-ku, kalka wanarri nyubun-ba kala-kalbay-ka | old-man-ERG:pt child show(see-CAUS) spear.thrower hold COMP-ADV(like.this), spear fly(run) one-LOC(straight) far-DAT

mukul dingkar karrkay balur karrbal yala-ku kalka wanarri nyubun kala-kalbay

yala-ku 'like this'; balur spear-thrower (b107, INST balur-ubu); nyaji-mani 'show' (see-CAUS)


The clever child copied the bird-call exactly like this, and the old man laughed, for it sounded just like the real bird.

Karrkay binal-angka buyi-mu yirrka yala-ku nganjin, mukul-dingkar yajarrin, yala-rrku yirrka buyi nguymal-mu.

karrkay binal-angka buyi-mu yirrka yala-ku nganji-ny, mukul-dingkar yajarri-ny, yala-rrku yirrka buyi nguymal-mu | child clever-ERG:pt bird-POSS call COMP-ADV(like.this) copied, old-man laughed, COMP-EMPH(just.like) call bird real-POSS

karrkay binal buyi yirrka yala-ku nganjil mukul yajarril yala-rrku nguymal

yala-ku + yala-rrku 'just like the real bird'; buyi bird; yirrka call (b103); yajarri-l laugh; nguymal real/true (b105)


The old woman said grief comes like the wet season: heavy and dark for a time, then it passes, and the country is green.

Mukul-jalbu balkan: jiba-badi kaday yala kaba wungar-iji — kulngkul ngumbu-ba marri, yinyamun wula, bubu ngulkurr-mal.

mukul-jalbu balka-ny: jiba-badi kaday yala kaba wungar-iji — kulngkul ngumbu-ba marri, yinyamun wula, bubu ngulkurr-ma-l | old-woman said: grief come COMP(like) rain wet.season — heavy black-LOC long.time, then dies(passes), country good-INCHO

mukul jalbu jiba-badi yala kaba kulngkul ngumbu marri yinyamun ngulkurr

yala kaba 'like the wet'; jiba-badi grief (b109); kaba rain (b87); marri a long time (b111); ngulkurr-ma-l 'turns good'


That proud young man walks about like a boss, the old man said, but his hands are soft and he has hunted nothing.

Yinya warru yalbay-baka jilba yala maja, mukul-dingkar balkan, yamba nyungu mara ngulban, nyulu minya yamba-kari balbin.

yinya warru yalbay-baka jilba yala maja, mukul-dingkar balka-ny, yamba nyungu mara ngulban, nyulu minya yamba-kari balbi-ny | that young.man big-excess(proud) walk COMP(like) boss, old-man said, but his hand soft, 3sg game nothing hunted

yinya warru jilba yala maja mukul mara minya yamba-kari balbil

yala maja 'like a boss' (ex.267); yalbay-baka 'proud' (big-excess); yamba-kari 'nothing' (b110); balbi-l hunt


When the old man died, the old woman cried, and all the people cried too, just the same, for they had all loved him.

Mukul-dingkar wula-nya, mukul-jalbu badin, bama narmba badin yala-rrku, jana wubulku nyungu-nka kuru-jirr.

mukul-dingkar wula-nya, mukul-jalbu badi-ny, bama narmba badi-ny yala-rrku, jana wubul-ku nyungu-nka kuru-jirr | old-man die-SUB, old-woman cried, person all cried COMP-EMPH(too/just.the.same), 3pl all him-DAT love-COMIT

mukul dingkar wulal jalbu badil bama narmba yala-rrku kuru

⭐yala-rrku 'also/just the same' (ex.207 'the old man also cried'); badi-l cry; kuru affection/love (b109)


Some places far away are just the same as this country, the old man said — the same trees, the same birds, the same red earth.

Bubu kanbal kala-kalbay yala-rrku yinya bubu-ngu, mukul-dingkar balkan — juku nyubun, buyi nyubun, bubu kulbul nyubun.

bubu kanbal kala-kalbay yala-rrku yinya bubu-ngu, mukul-dingkar balka-ny — juku nyubun, buyi nyubun, bubu kulbul nyubun | place some far COMP-EMPH(just.the.same) this land-ABL, old-man said — tree one(same), bird one(same), ground red one(same)

bubu kanbal kala-kalbay yala-rrku juku nyubun buyi kulbul

⭐yala-rrku 'just the same' (ex.206 'kanbal bubu yala-rrku'); kanbal some; nyubun 'same'; kulbul red


The two sisters wove their dilly-bags as one, sitting close together, and both bags came out the very same in the end.

Jinburr jambul-angka yinkar kaja nyubun-bu, janka bundan muru, yinkar jambul badanga yala-rrku warmban.

jinburr jambul-angka yinkar kaja nyubun-bu, janka bunda-ny muru, yinkar jambul bada-nga yala-rrku warmba-ny | yZ two-ERG:pt dilly.bag weave one-INST(as.one), quietly sat together, dilly.bag two end-LOC COMP-EMPH(the.same) came.out

jinburr jambul yinkar kajal nyubun janka bundal muru yala-rrku warmbal

nyubun-bu 'as one/together' + yala-rrku 'came out the same'; jinburr younger sister; muru together (b111)


The old man ate the sweet fruit, and the child wanted the same one, so the old man split it and gave her half.

Mukul-dingkarangka mayi jiba-wulay nukan, karrkay-angka mayi nyubun wawu, mukul-dingkarangka dumbarri-l dajin jalbu-nka jambul-muny.

mukul-dingkar-angka mayi jiba-wulay nuka-ny, karrkay-angka mayi nyubun wawu, mukul-dingkar-angka dumbarri-l daji-ny jalbu-nka jambul-muny | old-man-ERG:pt fruit sweet ate, child-ERG:pt fruit one(same) want, old-man-ERG:pt broke gave girl-DAT two-ABL(half)

mukul dingkar mayi jiba-wulay nukal karrkay nyubun wawu bakal dajil

mayi nyubun 'the same fruit'; wawu want+DAT (b110); jiba-wulay sweet (b?); baka-l split; jambul-muny 'half'


The old woman said all people are one underneath — the same blood, the same fear, the same love for the little children.

Mukul-jalbu balkan: bama wubulku nyubun bada-bada — mula nyubun, yararri nyubun, kuru nyubun karrkay-karrkay-nka.

mukul-jalbu balka-ny: bama wubul-ku nyubun bada-bada — mula nyubun, yararri nyubun, kuru nyubun karrkay-karrkay-nka | old-woman said: person all one below — blood one(same), fear one(same), love one(same) child-REDUP-DAT

mukul jalbu bama wubul nyubun mula yararri kuru karrkay

nyubun 'one/the same' (all people are one); mula blood (b109); yararri fear (b99); kuru love (b109)


He hunts the very same way his father did, the old people said — quiet feet, patient eyes, and one true throw of the spear.

Nyulu balbi yala-rrku nyungu nganjan balbin, mukul-bama balkan — jina janka, miyil bundan, kalka nyubun dama-l nguymal.

nyulu balbi yala-rrku nyungu nganjan balbi-ny, mukul-bama balka-ny — jina janka, miyil bunda-ny, kalka nyubun dama-l nguymal | 3sg hunt COMP-EMPH(the.same.way) his father hunted, old-people said — foot quiet, eye patient(sat), spear one true throw

nyulu balbil yala-rrku nganjan jina janka miyil kalka nyubun damal

yala-rrku 'the same way as his father'; jina foot (b109); miyil eye (b109); kalka spear (b107)


The old man said the young and the old need each other as one, like the two hands that wash each other clean.

Mukul-dingkar balkan: warru wulman-jirr nyubun-bu wawu, yala mara jambul-angka nyubun-nyubun janji-mani.

mukul-dingkar balka-ny: warru wulman-jirr nyubun-bu wawu, yala mara jambul-angka nyubun-nyubun janji-mani | old-man said: young.man old-COMIT one-INST(as.one) need(want), COMP(like) hand two-ERG:pt each.other wash

mukul dingkar warru wulman nyubun wawu yala mara jambul janji

nyubun-bu 'as one' + yala 'like the two hands'; wulman old (b?); janji-l wash/bathe (b103); wawu want (b110)


That story is told the same today as it was long ago, the old woman said, and its deep bones have never changed at all.

Yinya kuku-jangkar balka niji yala-rrku kalbay-muny, mukul-jalbu balkan, nyungu bajibay dajali kari yindu-mal bajaku.

yinya kuku-jangkar balka niji yala-rrku kalbay-muny, mukul-jalbu balka-ny, nyungu bajibay dajali kari yindu-ma-l bajaku | that story told now COMP-EMPH(the.same) long.ago, old-woman said, its bone deep NEG change at.all

yinya kuku balkal niji yala-rrku kalbay bajibay dajali kari yindu

yala-rrku 'the same now as long ago'; bajibay bone (b109); kari yindu-ma-l 'never changes' (b110/kariku-fix)


The old woman gave every child the very same, a fair share for each, so that not one of them could say she loved another more.

Mukul-jalbu-ngku karrkay wubulku nyubun dajin, mayi nyubun-nyubun-ka, bama nyubun kari balka nyulu kuru yindu-nka bajaku.

mukul-jalbu-ngku karrkay wubul-ku nyubun daji-ny, mayi nyubun-nyubun-ka, bama nyubun kari balka nyulu kuru yindu-nka bajaku | old-woman-ERG:pt child all one(same) gave, food each-DAT, person one NEG say 3sg love other-DAT more

mukul jalbu karrkay nyubun dajil mayi bama kari kuru yindu

nyubun 'the very same/fair share'; yindu 'other' (b?); kari NEG (b110); kuru love (b109)


The old man said this new road and the old walking-track go to the very same place, only one is quick and one is slow.

Mukul-dingkar balkan: jina jirakal wulman-jirr yala-rrku bubu nyubun-ka dunga, nyubun bila, nyubun buban-buban.

mukul-dingkar balka-ny: jina jirakal wulman-jirr yala-rrku bubu nyubun-ka dunga, nyubun bila, nyubun buban-buban | old-man said: track new old-COMIT COMP-EMPH(the.same) place one-DAT go, one fast, one slow

mukul dingkar jina jirakal wulman yala-rrku bubu nyubun bila

jina 'track' (foot->path); yala-rrku 'the very same place'; jirakal new (b107); bila fast


The old woman said a woman and the earth are one and the same: both give life, both are used hard, both go on giving.

Mukul-jalbu balkan: jalbu bubu-jirr nyubun yala-rrku — jambul-angka wawu dajil, jambul karrba-l bajaku, jambul dajil-baja.

mukul-jalbu balka-ny: jalbu bubu-jirr nyubun yala-rrku — jambul-angka wawu daji-l, jambul karrba-l bajaku, jambul daji-l-baja | old-woman said: woman earth-COMIT one COMP-EMPH(the.same) — two-ERG:pt life give, two used hard, two give-again

mukul jalbu bubu nyubun yala-rrku jambul wawu dajil karrbal

nyubun yala-rrku 'one and the same'; jalbu woman; bubu earth; karrba-l used/held


They both told the story a little differently, but the deep meaning was the very same, and both were true, the old man said.

Jana jambul-angka kuku-jangkar buban yindu-yindu balkan, yamba kuku dajali yala-rrku, jambul nguymal, mukul-dingkar balkan.

jana jambul-angka kuku-jangkar buban yindu-yindu balka-ny, yamba kuku dajali yala-rrku, jambul nguymal, mukul-dingkar balka-ny | 3pl two-ERG:pt story little other-REDUP(differently) told, but meaning deep COMP-EMPH(the.same), two true, old-man said

jana jambul kuku yindu balkal dajali yala-rrku nguymal mukul

yindu-yindu 'differently' vs yala-rrku 'the very same'; dajali deep; nguymal true (b105)


The old man said his father, his father's father, and he himself all speak with the very same voice in the old songs.

Mukul-dingkar balkan: nyungu nganjan, nyungu ngaji, nyulu-baja wubulku kuku nyubun-bu balka wulngku ngadiku-ba.

mukul-dingkar balka-ny: nyungu nganjan, nyungu ngaji, nyulu-baja wubul-ku kuku nyubun-bu balka wulngku ngadiku-ba | old-man said: his father, his MF, 3sg-too all word one-INST(same voice) speak song old-LOC

mukul dingkar nganjan ngaji nyulu wubul kuku nyubun balkal wulngku

nyubun-bu 'with one/the same voice'; ngaji mother's father (b111); nganjan father; wulngku song


The old man said these two brothers are not alike at all: one is quiet like deep water, the other loud like a falling tree.

Mukul-dingkar balkan: yaba jambul yinya kari yala nyubun-nyubun: nyubun janka yala bana dajali, nyubun yirrka yala juku dara-nya.

mukul-dingkar balka-ny: yaba jambul yinya kari yala nyubun-nyubun: nyubun janka yala bana dajali, nyubun yirrka yala juku dara-nya | old-man said: eB two that NEG COMP(like) each.other: one quiet COMP(like) water deep, one loud COMP(like) tree fall-SUB

mukul dingkar yaba jambul kari yala janka bana yirrka dara

⭐kari yala 'not like/different'; contrastive similes; dara-y fall (b110); janka quiet


That country over the range is quite different from my own, the old man said — different trees, different birds, and different talk.

Bubu yinya jamba kudamundu kari yala bubu ngayku, mukul-dingkar balkan — juku yindu, buyi yindu, kuku yindu.

bubu yinya jamba kudamundu kari yala bubu ngayku, mukul-dingkar balka-ny — juku yindu, buyi yindu, kuku yindu | place that hill behind NEG COMP(like) country my, old-man said — tree other, bird other, word other

bubu yinya jamba kudamundu kari yala juku buyi kuku yindu

kari yala 'different from my own'; yindu 'other/different'; kudamundu behind (b102); ngayku 'my' POSS (b106)


This hill is big, but that far mountain is much bigger, the old man said, pointing across the wide and open plain.

Yinya jamba yalbay, yamba jamba kala-kalbay yinya yalbay bajaku, mukul-dingkar balkan, bubu ngalkal yalbay-burr mangkal-mani.

yinya jamba yalbay, yamba jamba kala-kalbay yinya yalbay bajaku, mukul-dingkar balka-ny, bubu ngalkal yalbay-burr mangka-l-mani | this hill big, but hill far that big very, old-man said, ground open wide-PERL point

yinya jamba yalbay kala-kalbay bajaku mukul dingkar bubu ngalkal

⭐DEGREE by juxtaposition: 'this big, that very big' = bigger; bajaku 'very' intensifier; jamba hill (b93)


The old woman said the young man is strong, but the old man is stronger still, for his strength is in his knowing, not his arm.

Mukul-jalbu balkan: warru junkurr, yamba mukul-dingkar junkurr bajaku, nyungu junkurr bangkarr-ba kari, binal-ba.

mukul-jalbu balka-ny: warru junkurr, yamba mukul-dingkar junkurr bajaku, nyungu junkurr bangkarr-ba kari, binal-ba | old-woman said: young.man strong, but old-man strong very, his strength body-LOC NEG, knowing-LOC

mukul jalbu warru junkurr bajaku dingkar bangkarr kari binal

'strong ... very strong' = stronger (juxtaposition+bajaku); junkurr strong/hard; bangkarr body (b109); binal know (b108)


The first fish was small, but the second was much bigger, and the third was the biggest of all in the deep pool.

Kuyu nyubun buban, yamba kuyu jambul-mu yalbay bajaku, kuyu jambulumbul-mu yalbay wubulku-muny bana dajali-ba.

kuyu nyubun buban, yamba kuyu jambul-mu yalbay bajaku, kuyu jambulumbul-mu yalbay wubul-ku-muny bana dajali-ba | fish one small, but fish two-POSS big very, fish three-POSS big all-ABL water deep-LOC

kuyu nyubun buban jambul yalbay bajaku jambulumbul wubul bana dajali

degree ladder small->very big->biggest (yalbay wubulku-muny 'big beyond all'); jambulumbul 'three' (b?); kuyu fish


The old man said a small gift given with love is bigger than a big gift thrown down without care, and the child understood.

Mukul-dingkar balkan: mayi buban kuru-jirr dajin yalbay bajaku, mayi yalbay kuru-kari darin-muny, karrkay binalman.

mukul-dingkar balka-ny: mayi buban kuru-jirr daji-ny yalbay bajaku, mayi yalbay kuru-kari dari-ny-muny, karrkay binal-ma-ny | old-man said: food small love-COMIT given big very, food big love-PRIV dropped-ABL, child understood(became.knowing)

mukul dingkar mayi buban kuru dajil yalbay bajaku binal

degree: 'small gift ... very big' (bigger in worth); kuru-jirr 'with love' vs kuru-kari 'without care' (PRIV); binal-ma-ny


That dog is fast, but the wild one from the ranges is faster still, and no man in the camp can catch it at all.

Yinya kaya bila, yamba kaya kuli-baka jamba-muny bila bajaku, dingkar nyubun bayan-ba kari mani-l bajaku.

yinya kaya bila, yamba kaya kuli-baka jamba-muny bila bajaku, dingkar nyubun bayan-ba kari mani-l bajaku | that dog fast, but dog rage-excess(wild) range-ABL fast very, man one camp-LOC NEG catch at.all

yinya kaya bila kuli jamba bajaku dingkar nyubun kari manil

'fast ... very fast' = faster; bila fast; kuli-baka 'wild' (l.2064); mani-l catch/take; kari NEG (b110)


The old woman said her grief for her husband was deep, but her love for her children was deeper still, and it held her up.

Mukul-jalbu balkan: nyungu jiba-badi wawubaja-nka dajali, yamba nyungu kuru karrkay-karrkay-nka dajali bajaku, yinya nyunya wandi-mani.

mukul-jalbu balka-ny: nyungu jiba-badi wawubaja-nka dajali, yamba nyungu kuru karrkay-karrkay-nka dajali bajaku, yinya nyunya wandi-mani | old-woman said: her grief husband-DAT deep, but her love child-REDUP-DAT deep very, that her held.up

mukul jalbu jiba-badi dajali kuru karrkay bajaku wandil

'deep ... very deep' = deeper; jiba-badi grief (b109); kuru love; dajali deep; wandi-mani 'held/raised up'


The old man said many young men are loud, but the truly brave one is quiet, and you know him only when the fight comes.

Mukul-dingkar balkan: warru wubul yirrka, yamba warru nguymal yinil-kari janka, yundu binal nyungu jilnkurr kada-nya kari-ku.

mukul-dingkar balka-ny: warru wubul yirrka, yamba warru nguymal yinil-kari janka, yundu binal nyungu jilnkurr kada-nya kari-ku | old-man said: young.man many loud, but young.man true fear-PRIV quiet, you know him fight come-SUB not.until

mukul dingkar warru wubul yirrka nguymal yinil janka binal

contrast loud/quiet; yinil-kari 'fearless' (PRIV b110); nguymal true (b105); kari-ku 'not until' (b110, correct sense)


The old woman said a full stomach is good, but a full heart is better, and a person needs the two of them as one.

Mukul-jalbu balkan: jibar diburr ngulkurr, yamba wubul diburr ngulkurr bajaku, bama nyubun-bu jambul wawu.

mukul-jalbu balka-ny: jibar diburr ngulkurr, yamba wubul diburr ngulkurr bajaku, bama nyubun-bu jambul wawu | old-woman said: belly full good, but heart full good very, person one-INST(as.one) two need(want)

mukul jalbu jibar ngulkurr wubul bajaku bama nyubun jambul wawu

'good ... very good' = better; jibar belly (b109), wubul heart (b109, homophone 'many'); nyubun-bu 'as one'; wawu want


That short cut over the hill is quick, the old man said, but the long track by the river is safer, and I take the long one.

Yinya jina buban jamba wangkar-burr bila, mukul-dingkar balkan, yamba jina kalbay wawubaja ngundu ngulkurr bajaku, ngayu jina kalbay mani-l.

yinya jina buban jamba wangkar-burr bila, mukul-dingkar balka-ny, yamba jina kalbay wawubaja ngundu ngulkurr bajaku, ngayu jina kalbay mani-l | that track short hill over-PERL fast, old-man said, but track long river near good very, 1sg track long take

yinya jina buban jamba bila mukul kalbay wawubaja ngulkurr

'quick ... very good/safe' contrast; jina track; bila fast; kalbay long; wawubaja river (b93)


The old man said in the end all roads are like one road, for every track a person walks leads back at last to the one country.

Mukul-dingkar balkan: badanga jina wubulku yala jina nyubun, jina wubulku bama jilba-nya nyunba bubu nyubun-ka kala-kalbay-muny.

mukul-dingkar balka-ny: bada-nga jina wubul-ku yala jina nyubun, jina wubul-ku bama jilba-nya nyunba bubu nyubun-ka kala-kalbay-muny | old-man said: end-LOC track all COMP(like) track one, track all person walk-SUB return land one-DAT far-ABL

mukul dingkar jina wubul yala nyubun bama jilba nyunbay bubu

yala 'all tracks like one track'; nyubun 'one'; jina track; jilba walk (b103); nyunba-y return


In the wet season the women go out with their digging-sticks to dig the long yams from the soft ground by the river.

Kaba wungar-iji jalbu-jalbu juwal-jirr dunga, bambayal kalbay baka bubu wawubaja ngundu.

kaba wungar-iji jalbu-jalbu juwal-jirr dunga, bambayal kalbay baka bubu wawubaja ngundu | rain hot.season woman-REDUP digging.stick-COMIT go, yam long dig ground river near

kaba wungar jalbu juwal bambayal kalbay bakal bubu wawubaja

⭐bambayal 'yam'; baka-l 'dig' (ex.61); juwal digging-stick (b107); wawubaja river (b93)


The old woman taught the young girls to dig with care, lest they break the long yam and lose the sweetest part below.

Mukul-jalbu-ngku maral-maral balkan: janka baka, bambayal kalbay dumbarri-nyji, mayi jiba-wulay bada-bada wula-nyji.

mukul-jalbu-ngku maral-maral balka-ny: janka baka, bambayal kalbay dumbarri-nyji, mayi jiba-wulay bada-bada wula-nyji | old-woman-ERG:pt girl-REDUP told: carefully dig, yam long break-PRECAUT, food sweet below lose(die)-PRECAUT

mukul jalbu maral balkal janka bakal bambayal dumbarril mayi jiba-wulay

⭐dumbarri-l 'break' (not baka-l); baka-l dig; -nyji PRECAUT 'lest' (b110); maral girl; jiba-wulay sweet


Dig the roots first, the old man said, but never break the young shoots, for they will feed the people next year.

Ngara baka nyubun-bu, mukul-dingkar balkan, yamba jurrbu buban kari dumbarri, jana bama-nka mayi dajil wungar jirakal-ba.

ngara baka nyubun-bu, mukul-dingkar balka-ny, yamba jurrbu buban kari dumbarri, jana bama-nka mayi daji-l wungar jirakal-ba | root dig one-INST(first), old-man said, but shoots small NEG break, 3pl person-DAT food give year new-LOC

ngara bakal mukul dingkar jurrbu kari dumbarril bama mayi jirakal

ngara root; jurrbu shoots; kari dumbarri 'never break' (b110 NEG); baka dig; jirakal new (b107)


The wild yam grows deep and twisting and is hard to follow down, but its flesh is white and good when the fire cooks it well.

Banjay bubu dajali-ba wuna jurrki-jurrki, baka buyun bajaku, yamba nyungu bada-bada balbal ngulkurr baya waju-nya-muny.

banjay bubu dajali-ba wuna jurrki-jurrki, baka buyun bajaku, yamba nyungu bada-bada balbal ngulkurr baya waju-nya-muny | wild.yam ground deep-LOC lie twist-REDUP, dig hard very, but its below white good fire cook-SUB-ABL

banjay bubu dajali wunay jurrkil bakal buyun balbal ngulkurr wajul

banjay wild yam; jurrki-jurrki 'twisting' (turn-REDUP b103); baka-l dig; waju-l cook (b98)


This yam is ready to dig now, the old woman said, for the leaves above it have yellowed and died back in the dry season.

Yinya bambayal baka niji, mukul-jalbu balkan, nyungu birra wangkar kulbul-ma-n wulan marral-wungar-a.

yinya bambayal baka niji, mukul-jalbu balka-ny, nyungu birra wangkar kulbul-ma-ny wula-ny marral-wungar-a | this yam dig now, old-woman said, its leaf above ripe(yellow)-INCHO-PAST die-PAST dry.time-LOC

yinya bambayal bakal niji mukul jalbu birra wangkar kulbul marral

⭐birra 'leaf'; bambayal yam; kulbul-ma-ny 'yellowed/ripened'; marral-wungar dry season (b111)


The child dug and dug all morning and found one small yam only, and the old woman laughed and said the ground was still asleep.

Karrkay-angka baka-baka wunkuwingku wubulku, bambayal nyubun buban warmban, mukul-jalbu yajarrin, balkan bubu warngku kariku.

karrkay-angka baka-baka wunkuwingku wubul-ku, bambayal nyubun buban warmba-ny, mukul-jalbu yajarri-ny, balka-ny bubu warngku kariku | child-ERG:pt dig-REDUP morning all, yam one small found, old-woman laughed, said ground sleep not.yet

karrkay bakal wunkuwingku bambayal nyubun warmbal mukul jalbu yajarril warngku

baka-baka 'dig and dig'; bambayal yam; warmba-l find (b110); yajarri laugh (b112); warngku sleep


The old man showed the boy the vine that marks a good yam below, and said: follow the vine down and the food is always there.

Mukul-dingkarangka karrkay nyaji-mani wangay bambayal ngulkurr bada-bada, balkan: wangay bada nyunba, mayi yinya-ba wubulku.

mukul-dingkar-angka karrkay nyaji-mani wangay bambayal ngulkurr bada-bada, balka-ny: wangay bada nyunba, mayi yinya-ba wubul-ku | old-man-ERG:pt child show wine(vine) yam good below, said: vine down follow, food there-LOC always

mukul dingkar karrkay wangay bambayal ngulkurr balkal mayi wubul

wangay 'vine'; bambayal yam; nyaji-mani show (b112); mayi food; bada below


In the good years the yams are many and fat, but in the dry years they are few and thin, and the people move on to the sea.

Wungar ngulkurr-ba bambayal wubul wandul, yamba wungar marral-ba bambayal buban kanbal, bama jalun-ka dunga-y.

wungar ngulkurr-ba bambayal wubul wandul, yamba wungar marral-ba bambayal buban kanbal, bama jalun-ka dunga-y | year good-LOC yam many fat, but year dry-LOC yam small few, person sea-DAT go-NONPAST

wungar ngulkurr bambayal wubul wandul marral buban kanbal jalun

bambayal yam; wandul fat (b109); wubul many; kanbal few/some (b112); jalun sea (b102)


The old woman put the small yams back in the ground, the child watching, and said we leave the little ones to grow for the children.

Mukul-jalbu-ngku bambayal buban bubu-ba wandin-baja, karrkay nyaji-nya, balkan: bama buban wuna karrkay-karrkay-nka yalbay-ma-nka.

mukul-jalbu-ngku bambayal buban bubu-ba wandi-ny-baja, karrkay nyaji-nya, balka-ny: bama buban wuna karrkay-karrkay-nka yalbay-ma-nka | old-woman-ERG:pt yam small ground-LOC put-PAST-again, child watch-SUB, said: one small leave child-REDUP-DAT big-INCHO-PURP

mukul jalbu bambayal buban bubu wandil karrkay nyajil yalbay

bambayal yam; leave-the-small-ones etiquette; yalbay-ma-nka PURP 'to grow big'; nyaji watch


The digging-stick is fire-hardened at the point, the old man said, so it will split the hard ground and not break in the hand.

Juwal biyul baya-ba junkurr-mani, mukul-dingkar balkan, nyulu bubu junkurr baka, kari dumbarri mara-nga.

juwal biyul baya-ba junkurr-mani, mukul-dingkar balka-ny, nyulu bubu junkurr baka, kari dumbarri mara-nga | digging.stick point fire-LOC hard-CAUS, old-man said, 3sg ground hard dig, NEG break hand-LOC

juwal biyul baya junkurr mukul dingkar bubu bakal dumbarril mara

juwal digging-stick (b107); biyul point (b107); baka-l dig / dumbarri-l break; junkurr-mani 'harden'


The old woman knows every yam-ground in the country, the people said, and even in the driest year her dilly-bag comes home full.

Mukul-jalbu binal bambayal-bubu wubulku bubu-ba, bama balkan, wungar marral bajaku-ba nyungu ngunyin bayan-ka warmba diburr-jirr.

mukul-jalbu binal bambayal-bubu wubul-ku bubu-ba, bama balka-ny, wungar marral bajaku-ba nyungu ngunyin bayan-ka warmba diburr-jirr | old-woman know yam-ground all country-LOC, person said, year dry very-LOC her dilly.bag camp-DAT come.out full-COMIT

mukul jalbu binal bambayal bubu wungar marral ngunyin warmbal

bambayal-bubu 'yam-ground'; binal know (b108); ngunyin dilly-bag (b107); marral dry


Grind the hard root on the stone with water, the old woman said, and wash it well, for it is bitter and will make you sick uncooked.

Ngara junkurr kulji-ba murni bana-jirr, mukul-jalbu balkan, janji ngulkurr, nyulu ngunyjanji bama bambay-ma-nyji nuka-nya kari-ku.

ngara junkurr kulji-ba murni bana-jirr, mukul-jalbu balka-ny, janji ngulkurr, nyulu ngunyanji bama bambay-ma-nyji nuka-nya kari-ku | root hard stone-LOC grind water-COMIT, old-woman said, wash well, 3sg bitter person sick-become-PRECAUT eat-SUB not.yet

ngara junkurr kulji murnil bana janji bambay nukal

ngara root; murni-l grind (b107); kulji stone (b107); bambay-ma-nyji 'lest get sick' (b110); janji wash


The old man said the roots of the water-lily lie in the mud of the swamp, sweet and white, and the women wade in to feel for them with their feet.

Mukul-dingkar balkan: nganka-bana bangkan jukul-ba wuna daburr-ba, jiba-wulay balbal, jalbu-jalbu bana-ka janji jina-bu nyaji.

mukul-dingkar balka-ny: nganka-bana bangkan jukul-ba wuna daburr-ba, jiba-wulay balbal, jalbu-jalbu bana-ka janji jina-bu nyaji | old-man said: flower-water(lily) root mud-LOC lie swamp-LOC, sweet white, woman-REDUP water-DAT wade(bathe) foot-INST feel(see)

mukul dingkar nganka bangkan jukul wunay jiba-wulay balbal jalbu jina

nganka-bana 'water-lily' (flower-water); bangkan root; jina foot-INST 'with feet' (b112); jiba-wulay sweet