Glottolog arab1266 | ||
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Native speakers 10 (2005) to 20 (2006 census) Language family Pama–NyunganKarnicArabana Dialects ArabanaWangganguruPilta-PaltaWangkakupaMidlaliriMikiri-nganha ISO 639-3 Either:ard – Arabanawgg – Wangganguru | ||
Arabana or Arabuna /ˈʌrəbʌnə/ is an Australian Aboriginal language of the Pama–Nyungan family.
Contents
The language is in steep decline, with an estimated 250 speakers according to 2004 NILS, to just 21 speakers found in the 2006 census.
Geographic Distribution
Arabana is spoken at Neales River on the west side of Lake Eyre west to Stuart Range; Macumba Creek south to Coward Springs; at Oodnadatta, Lora Creek, Lake Cadibarrawirracanna, and the Peake. Their boundary with the Kokata People on the west is marked by the margin of the scarp of the western tableland near Coober Pedy.
Dialects
Arabana has three dialects: Piltapalta, which Hercus refers to as 'Arabana Proper', Wangkakupa, and Midhaliri. Wangganguru was also considered a dialect.
Phonology
Most of the nasals and laterals are allophonically prestopped.