The Wik languages are a subdivision of the
Paman languages
The Paman languages are an Australian language family spoken on Cape York Peninsula, Queensland. First noted by Kenneth Hale, Paman is noteworthy for the profound phonological changes which have affected some of its descendants.
Classific ...
consisting of sixteen
language
Language is a structured system of communication. The structure of a language is its grammar and the free components are its vocabulary. Languages are the primary means by which humans communicate, and may be conveyed through a variety of ...
s, all spoken on the
Cape York Peninsula
Cape York Peninsula is a large peninsula located in Far North Queensland, Australia. It is the largest unspoiled wilderness in northern Australia.Mittermeier, R.E. et al. (2002). Wilderness: Earth’s last wild places. Mexico City: Agrupación ...
of
Queensland
)
, nickname = Sunshine State
, image_map = Queensland in Australia.svg
, map_caption = Location of Queensland in Australia
, subdivision_type = Country
, subdivision_name = Australia
, established_title = Before federation
, established_ ...
,
Australia. This grouping was first proposed by
R. M. W. Dixon.
Each of the Kugu-Muminh dialects may have the
prefix
A prefix is an affix which is placed before the stem of a word. Adding it to the beginning of one word changes it into another word. For example, when the prefix ''un-'' is added to the word ''happy'', it creates the word ''unhappy''. Particu ...
''Wik-'' instead of ''Kugu-''.
Wik Paach is not a Wik language despite its name.
The languages are as follows; often various dialects are considered separate languages:
*
Wik-Ngathan (incl.
Wik-Ngatharr dialect)
*
Wik-Me'nh
*
Wik-Mungkan
*
Wik-Ompoma (Ambama) †
*
Kugu Nganhcara (incl.
Gugu Uwanh dialect) †
*
Ayabadhu †
*
Pakanha †
The
Flinders Island language and
Barrow Point language were apparently Wik.
See also
*
Wik peoples
*
Wik Peoples v Queensland
References
North Cape York Paman languages
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