Mithaka (also ''Midhaga'', ''Mitaka'') is an
extinct Australian Aboriginal language
The Indigenous languages of Australia number in the hundreds, the precise number being quite uncertain, although there is a range of estimates from a minimum of around 250 (using the technical definition of 'language' as non-mutually intellig ...
in the
Barcoo Shire of
Western Queensland
Western Queensland encompasses the three western regions in the Australian state of Queensland:
* North West Queensland, often known as Gulf Country;
* Central West Queensland; and
* South West Queensland.
History
Karuwali (also known as ' ...
spoken by the
Mitaka people
The Mitaka (alternatively Mithaka) were an indigenous Australian people of the state of Queensland.
Country
In Norman Tindale's calculations, the Mitaka, a Channel Country people around Lake Machattie, are assigned a tribal domain of some f ...
.
Classification and dialects
Karruwali
The Karuwali were an indigenous people of the state of Queensland.
Country
Norman Tindale estimated that the Karuwali's lands extended over some of territory. This took in the area about Farrars Creek near Connemara southwards to Beetoota, Ha ...
(Garuwali) and
Marulta
The Marulta were an indigenous Australian people of the state of Queensland, Australia.
Language
The Marulta spoke Marrulha, one of several dialects of a Karnic language, similar to Mithaka.
Country
The Marulta were a people of Lake Barrolka, ...
(Marrulha, Marrula) are counted as dialects per Dixon (2002).
Breen thinks Mithaka, Marula, and Marunuda may be the same language but does not know if they are alternative names or distinct dialects of the same language.
However, Bowern (2001) states that there is not enough evidence to classify them, or even to establish that they are
Karnic languages
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 ...
.
References
External links
Bibliography of Garuwali people and language resources at the
Karnic languages
Extinct languages of Queensland
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