The Karnic languages are a group of languages of the
Pama–Nyungan family. According to Dixon (2002), these are three separate families, but Bowern (2001) establishes regular paradigmatic connections among many of the languages, demonstrating them as a genealogical group. Bowern classifies them as follows:
*Karnic
**
Arabana (
Wangganguru) (Western Karnic; orig. part of Palku)
**
***Palku (Northern Karnic)
****
Pitta Pitta
****
Wangka-Yutjurru (
Wanggamala)
***
****Karna (Central Karnic)
*****
Yandruwandha (
Yawarawarga)
*****
Mithaka (in the north);
Diyari,
Yarluyandi–
Ngamini
****Eastern Karnic:
Wilson River language (Wangkumara,
Bundhamara (Punthamara), Ngandangara/Yarumarra, etc.)
Unclassified languages
Other languages of the area may be Karnic, but are too poorly attested to be secure. Breen (2007) writes of "Karna–
Mari fringe" languages which are "a discontinuous group of languages, mostly poorly attested, scattered between Karnic and
Mari languages but not showing much connection with either or with one another. The only one well attested is also the most remote geographically,
Kalkutungu". The possibilities listed but not included in Bowern (2001) due to lack of materials, and included in the list in Bowern (2011),
[Bowern, Claire. 2011.]
How Many Languages Were Spoken in Australia?
, ''Anggarrgoon: Australian languages on the web'', December 23, 2011
corrected
February 6, 2012) are Birria (
Pirriya/Bidia)
ot the Biri/Birria in Maric Pirlatapa,
Kungkari (and unconfirmed
Kungatutyi/Gungadidji, not the same as the Mari dialect),
Karuwali (and unconfirmed Kulumali)
ncluded under Midhaga in Dixon Unconfirmed names mentioned in Bowern (2011) are
Karangura,
Mayawali, and
Nhirrpi.
See also
Ngura; some varieties are Karnic, but others may be
Maric.
References
*Dixon, R. M. W. 2002. ''Australian Languages: Their Nature and Development.'' Cambridge University Press
*
{{Australian Aboriginal languages
Indigenous Australian languages in South Australia
Indigenous Australian languages in Queensland