Article · Wikipedia archive · Last revised Jun 2, 2026

Wik languages

The Wik languages are a subdivision of the Paman languages consisting of sixteen languages, all spoken on the Cape York Peninsula of Queensland, Australia. This grouping was first proposed by R. M. W. Dixon.

Last revised
Jun 2, 2026
Read time
≈ 1 min
Length
149 w
Citations
1
Source
Wik
Middle Paman
Geographic
distribution
Cape York Peninsula, Queensland
EthnicityWik peoples
Linguistic classificationPama–Nyungan
Subdivisions
  • Wik-Ngathan
  • Wik-Me'nh
  • Wik-Mungkan
  • Kugu-Muminh
  • Ayabadhu
  • Pakanha
Language codes
Glottologwika1239  (Wik proper)
paka1251  (Pakanha)
wikn1246  (Kugu-Muminh)
Wik languages (green) among other Pama–Nyungan (tan)

The Wik languages are a subdivision of the Paman languages consisting of sixteen languages, all spoken on the Cape York Peninsula of Queensland, Australia. This grouping was first proposed by R. M. W. Dixon.1

Each of the Kugu-Muminh dialects may have the prefix Wik- instead of Kugu-. Wik Paach is not a Wik language despite its name.

The languages are as follows; often various dialects are considered separate languages:

The Flinders Island language and Barrow Point language were apparently Wik.

See also

See also

References

References

  1. Dixon, R. M. W. (2002). Australian Languages: Their Nature and Development.