Umpithamu language
| Umpithamu | |
|---|---|
| Native to | Australia |
| Region | Cape York Peninsula, Queensland |
| Ethnicity | Umpithamu, Lamalama, possibly Barungguan |
Pama–Nyungan
| |
| Language codes | |
| ISO 639-3 | umd |
| Glottolog | umbi1243 |
| AIATSIS[1] | Y50 |
| ELP | Umpithamu |
Umpithamu, also spelt Umbindhamu, is an Australian Aboriginal language of the Cape York Peninsula, Queensland, Australia.
In July 2020, A Dictionary of Umpithamu was published, compiled by Flemish linguist Jean-Christophe Verstraete, with main language consultants Florrie Bassani and her niece Joan Liddy.[2][3]
According to Verstraete (2008:219), Umpithamu is "one of four languages associated with a group of people currently known as Lamalama", the others being Morrobalama, Mba Rumbathama and Rimanggudinhma.[1]
"Yintjinggu/Jintjingga" is a place name used for both Umpithamu and the neighbouring Ayabadhu language.
Classification
Though generally accepted as a branch of the Paman languages, Dixon believes it to be an isolate. According to Rigsby (1997), Umpithamu shares some grammatical features with the other languages spoken by the Lamalama people (Lamalama, Rimanggudinhma, and Morrobalama), but it shares more lexicon with Ayapathu and Umpila.[1]
References
- ^ a b c Y50 Umpithamu at the Australian Indigenous Languages Database, Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies
- ^ Rigby, Mark (5 August 2020). "First Cape York Indigenous language dictionary in 20 years published by Flemish linguist". ABC News. Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved 7 August 2020.
- ^ "A dictionary of Umpithamu". AIATSIS Shop. 22 April 2020. Retrieved 7 August 2020.