Dyirbal language

Spoken in

  • Australian languages Pama Nyungan Dyirbalisch Dyirbal

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From

Dbl

Dyirbal is one of the Pama - Nyungan languages ​​and is spoken in Australia. The language is almost extinct: In 2001 there were (according to Dixon in a fax ) only six speakers, all over 65 years old.

Thanks to the language description of RMW Dixon (1972 ) The Dyirbal has long been known for its ergativity, which affects both the morphology and in the syntax. Another feature of the language is the division into four noun classes, of which the second term for " women, fire and dangerous things " includes ( book title by George Lakoff 1987).

Language family R. M. W. Dixon Ergative case
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