| Gunwinyguan | |
|---|---|
| (dubious) | |
| Geographic distribution | Arnhem Land, northern Australia |
| Linguistic classification | Arnhem (Macro-Gunwinyguan)
|
| Subdivisions |
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| Language codes | |
| Glottolog | gunw1250 |
 Gunwinyguan languages (purple) and other Non-Pama–Nyungan languages (grey). Clockwise from the north, the 5 groups are Gunwinggic, Dalabon, Jala, Jawoyn + Warray, Uwinymil. The heavy black line outlines other languages sometimes included in Gunwinyguan (seeArnhem languages). | |
TheGunwinyguan languages (Gunwinjguan, Gunwingguan), alsocore Gunwinyguan orGunwinyguan proper, are a possible branch of a largelanguage family ofAustralian Aboriginal languages inArnhem Land, northern Australia. The most populous language isKunwinjku, with some 1500 speakers.
Gunwinyguan languages have afortis–lenis contrast in plosive consonants. Lenis/short plosives have weak contact and intermittent voicing, while fortis/long plosives have full closure, a more powerful release burst, and no voicing.
The list here is based on Green (2003). However, Green believes the similarities among these languages are due to shared retentions fromProto-Arnhem, and are not indicative of an exclusive relationship between them.[1]
Yangmanic had once been included, but has been removed from recent classifications. Various other languages appear to be related to this Gunwinyguan core. This larger family is sometimes also called Gunwinyguan, but more unambiguouslyMacro-Gunwinyguan orArnhem.
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