Article · Wikipedia archive · Last revised Jul 2, 2026

Alngith dialect

Alngith is an extinct Paman language formerly spoken on the Cape York Peninsula of Queensland, Australia, by the Alngith people. The last known speakers survived into the 1980s. Phonologically, this language variety is very similar to the related variety Linngithigh, the only difference being that this language has the process of metathesis whereas Linngithigh does not.

Last revised
Jul 2, 2026
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≈ 1 min
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Citations
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Source
Wikipedia ↗
Alngith
Native toAustralia
RegionCape York Peninsula, Queensland
EthnicityAlngith, Winduwinda
Extinct1980s12
Language codes
ISO 639-3aid
Glottologalng1239
AIATSIS3Y32
ELPAlngith

Alngith (al-ngeeth) is an extinct Paman language formerly spoken on the Cape York Peninsula of Queensland, Australia, by the Alngith people. The last known speakers survived into the 1980s.2 Phonologically, this language variety is very similar to the related variety Linngithigh, the only difference being that this language has the process of metathesis whereas Linngithigh does not.4

Alngith is considered to be a dialect of Thaynakwith, a language spoken on Western Cape York in the Weipa area taking in Albatross Bay and Mission River. The traditional language area of Thaynakwith includes landscape within the local government boundaries of Weipa Town Council and the Shire of Cook.5

The word Nje 'alan means 'good day'.

Phonology

The two dialects of Alngith and Linngithigh have the same sound inventory.6

Consonants

Peripheral Laminal Apical Glottal
Bilabial Velar Palatal Dental Alveolar Retroflex
Plosives p k c t̪ t ʔ
Fricatives β ɣ ð
Nasals m ŋ ɲ n̪ n
Post-trilled tʳ
Vibrant r
Approximants w j l ɻ

Vowels

Front Back
High i u
Mid æ o
Low a
References

References

  1. Australian Bureau of Statistics (2021). "Cultural diversity: Census". Retrieved 13 October 2022.
  2. Wurm, S. A. and S. Hattori (eds.). 1981. Language atlas of the Pacific area. Canberra: The Australian Academy of the Humanities in collaboration with the Japan Academy.
  3. Y32 Alngith at the Australian Indigenous Languages Database, Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies
  4. Kenneth Hale, 1976, Phonological Developments in Particular Northern Paman Languages, pp.12-13
  5. CC-BY license icon This Wikipedia article incorporates text from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander languages published by the State Library of Queensland under CC BY licence, accessed on 18 January 2023.
  6. Kenneth Hale, 1976, Phonological Developments in Particular Northern Paman Languages, pp.14