that munanga linguist

Here I am working in Southern Arnhem Land as a linguist... There ain't many places around like this one so I thought I'd share. Then maybe someone down south might know what it is that I actually do while I'm here!

Friday, February 27, 2009

Wurrpparn wurrpparn

Here's the Rembarrnga version of Baa Baa Black Sheep that my students made this week in class:

Wurrpparn wurrpparn
Da-noettoe garlang-na?
Woh woh woh woh gurlppurr jerrh ga-jubul
Wangginy nyarran-nawoe-gan
Wangginy ngalan-nawoe-gan
Wangginy bori ganyangh-gan ga-nura Wugularr

hehe... neat!

The direct translation:

Emu, emu,
Do you have eggs?
Yes, yes, yes, yes, three dillybags full.
One for it's father
One for it's mother
One for it's little boy who lives at Beswick

2 Comments:

  • At 8:46 PM, Anonymous Hooch said…

    hehe. That is so gorgeous! :D

     
  • At 9:22 PM, Anonymous Greg A said…

    Wurlah jininyh. Nginyra, Wamut!
    Gamarrang

     

Post a Comment

<< Home