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Definition 2024

Pama-Nyungan

Pama-Nyungan

English

Proper noun

Pama-Nyungan

  1. A proposed language family encompassing most Australian Aboriginal languages, including Pitjantjatjara and Warlpiri, but excluding those spoken in the northwest. [from 1960s]

Derived terms

  • non-Pama-Nyungan

Ethnologue report on Pama-Nyungan languages

Etymology

From pama ‎(“man, person”) (in several northeast Australian Aboriginal languages) + nyungaa ‎(“man, person”) (in several southwestern Australian Aboriginal languages) +‎ -an. Apparently coined by American linguist Kenneth L. Hale (1934-2001).

Pronunciation

  • (UK) IPA(key): /ˌpʌməˈnjʊŋən/, /ˌpaməˈnjʊŋən/

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