Bigambal language

Bigambal (also Bigambul, Bigumbil, Pikambul, or Pikumbul) is an extinct and unclassified Australian Aboriginal language from the Pama–Nyungan language family.^[2] The Bigambul language region includes the landscape within the local government boundaries of the Goondiwindi Regional Council, including the towns of Goondiwindi, Yelarbon and Texas extending north towards Moonie and Millmerran.^[3] The AUSTLANG database maintained by the Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies states that the Bigambal language was spoken by the Bigambul people, with Gambuwal and Kwiambal (or Gujambal) known dialects.^[2] However, it is likely that the Gamilaraay (or Yuwaaliyaay) language was used by those peoples living in southern Bigambul territory.^[4]

Bigambal
Bigambul
Native to	Australia
Region	Goondiwindi Region, Queensland
Ethnicity	Bigambul people
Extinct	by 1996[1]
Language family	Pama–Nyungan (unclassified) Bigambal
Language codes
ISO 639-3	xbe
Glottolog	biga1237
AIATSIS[2]	D34
ELP	Bigambal

Classification

Dixon (2002)^[5] groups Bigambal together with the Bundjalung languages while O'Grady, Voegelin and Voegelin classify it as a Wiradjuric language.^[6]: 333

Glottolog states that Wafer and Lissarrague (2008)^{[6]: 332–340} have classed Bigambal, Guyambal and Yugambal together.^[7]

Vocabulary

Some words from the Bigambal language, as spelt and written by Bigambul authors, include:^[3]

• Bamburr: kangaroo
• Dhigaraa: bird
• Dhimba: snake
• Dhurrii: land
• Gayker: echidna
• Gillee: sun
• Gool: fish
• Gulli: rain/water
• Koobee: possum
• Noorah: home/camp
• Warril: river
• Weeimba gilee: hello
• Woodyun: grass