Worrorra language


Worrorra, or Western Worrorran, is a moribund Australian Aboriginal language of northern Western Australia.
Worrorra is a dialect cluster; Bowern recognizes five languages: Worrorra proper, Unggumi, Yawijibaya, Unggarranggu, and Umiida.
An alleged Maialnga language was a reported clan name of Worrorra proper that could not be confirmed with speakers.
Elkin Umbagai was a translator between English and Worrorra.

Sounds

Worrorra vowel inventory
FrontCentralBack
Highiu
Mideo
Lowa

PhonemeAllophones
/i/,
/a/, , , , ,
/u/, ,
/iː/,
/ɛː/, ~
/ɑː/,
/ɔː/, ~
/uː/,

Sign language

The Worora have a signed form of their language, used for speaking to kin in certain taboo relationships, but it is not clear from records that it was particularly well developed compared to other Australian Aboriginal sign languages.