| Gumbaynggirr | |
|---|---|
| Kumbainggar | |
| Native to | Australia |
| Region | New South Wales |
| Ethnicity | Gumbaynggirr,Banbai, ?Ngamba |
Native speakers | 310 (2021 census)[1] (may includeL2 speakers) |
Pama–Nyungan
| |
| Dialects |
|
| Language codes | |
| ISO 639-3 | kgs |
| Glottolog | kumb1268 |
| AIATSIS[3] | E7 |
| ELP | Gumbaynggir |
 | |
 Kumbainggar is classified as Critically Endangered by theUNESCOAtlas of the World's Languages in Danger. | |
Gumbaynggir (also spelledGumbaingari,Kumbainggar,Kumbaingeri,Gambalamam, and also calledBaanbay) is anAustralian Aboriginal language spoken by theGumbaynggirr people, who are native to theMid North Coast ofNew South Wales.
Gumbaynggir is the only surviving language in the Gumbaynggiric family ofPama–Nyungan stock.[4]
It has abinary way of counting numbers.[citation needed]
| Front | Central | Back | |
|---|---|---|---|
| High | i iː | u uː | |
| Low | a aː |
| Labial | Alveolar | Retroflex | Palatal | Velar | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stop | b | d | ɟ | ɡ | |
| Nasal | m | n | ɲ | ŋ | |
| Lateral | l | ||||
| Trill or Tap | r | ɽ[5] | |||
| Approximant | w | ɻ | j |
Voiced stops may also be realised as voiceless sounds [p, k, c, t], when occurring in intervocalic positions.[6]
Organised revitalisation of Gumbaynggir has been under way since 1986 whenMuurrbay Aboriginal Language and Culture Co-operative was founded at Nambucca Heads.[7] Classes in Gumbaynggir are taught through the North Coast Institute ofTAFE up to Certificate II level.
Muurrbay and Many Rivers Aboriginal Language Centre (MRALC) supports Aboriginal language revitalization through activities that include:[8][9]
In recent years, the Bularri Muurlay Nyanggan Aboriginal Corporation (BMNAC), established in 2010 by Gumbaynggirr andBundjalung man Clark Webb, has made great efforts to revitalise the Gumbaynggirr language. The BMNAC started in 2010 when two after school learning centres were set up at Wongala Estate Aboriginal Reserve andWoolgoolga High School. A third after school Learning Centre was established at William Bayldon Primary School inSawtell in 2012.[10]
Further efforts from the BMNAC saw the Gumbaynggirr Giingana Freedom School open in February 2022. The first independent Indigenous bilingual primary school to ever operate in New South Wales.[11] The school caters to students from K–2, and operates under the ethos of "Bularri Muurlay Nyanggan" meaning "Two Path Strong" in Gumbaynggirr language.[12]
Muurrbay Aboriginal Language and Culture Cooperative Ltd at Bellwood receives funding from the following government organisations:
In November 2011, the Australian Government declared anIndigenous Protected Area for the Gumbaynggirr people. TheIndigenous Protected Areas Act protects the native land ofIndigenous Australians. The protection of the land ties into the spiritual beliefs of the Gumbaynggirr people and by protecting the land, the government is helping revitalise their culture.[15]
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