Aboriginal and Torres Strait
Islander Language Wordlists
Djabugay Everyday Words
Djabugay is the name of one of the languages spoken in the Cairns region extending along
the hinterland and ranges from Mt Molloy towards Atherton and along the Upper Barron
River. Linguistic research suggest s there are several dialects in Djabugay including: Yirrgay,Guluy, Nyagali, Bulway and Djabugay (sources identify the term as a dialect as well as alanguage name). The Djabugay language was spoken and understood by Aboriginal groups
in the region, including neighbouring groups of Yidinji, Gunggay, Dyirbal and Yalanji.
Djabugay is also written as Tjapukai, Tjapukandji, Djabuganjdji, Dyaabugay etc. AIATSIS
have identified Djabugay as the standardised spelling and assigned it Language Code Y106
which is used by many collecting institutions in their catalogue descriptions.
The following list identifies Djabugay everyday words and their suggested pronunciation.
Some of these words may still be used in North Queensland communities.
Note: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander languages were oral-based; there may be several
variations in spelling and pronunciation. The following list should be seen as a guide – checkwith local language speakers as to the preferred local pronunciation.

EnglishDjabugay

Pronunciation

Barramundi

Wuban-barra

Woo-bun bar-rah

Cairns (placename)

Gimuy

Gim-eyeCassowary

Bunda:rra

Bun-dah-rah

Children

Bibunbay

Bib-un-bye

Crocodile

Ganyarra

Gah-na-rah

Ear

Bina

Bin-ahEye

Djili

Jill-ee

FatherNyumbaNum-bah

Fire

Biri

Beer-ee

Fish

Guyu

Goo-yoo

Foot

Djina

Jin-ah

Girl

Gumba

Gum-bahGroundBulnganBull-nun

HandMara

Mah-rah

HeadBada

Bah-dahHome

BulmbaBulm-bah

Horse

YarramanYah-ra-man

KangarooGan.gula

Gun-goo-lah

KneeBunggu

Bun-goo

Need further information?
(07) 3842 9836 | kdhagun@slq.qld.gov.au© SLQ 2019. V1 last updated Mar 2019.

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Attribution 3.0 Australia licence. You are free tocopy, communicate and adapt this work, so longas you attribute State Library of Queensland.
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EnglishDjabugay

Pronunciation

Kuranda (placename)Ngunbay

Nun-byeMoon

GindanGin-dunMother

MudjamMud-jumNo

Gari

Gah-reeOne

Nyiwul

Nee-wool

PeopleBama

Bum-ahPrettyDjarrawi

Jah-rah-wee

Rain

Bana

Bun-ahRainbow Serpent

Gudjugudju

Good-joo-good-joo

River

Wuru

Woo-roo

Scrub Turkey

Wawun

Way-wonShieldDagurrDah-gurd

Shoulder

Binda

Bin-dahSpeewah (placename)

GuwuluGoo-woo-loo

Spider

Garra

Gah-rahStinging Tree

Gayam

Gay-um

Stone

Walba

Wal-bah

Sugarbag Honey

Wunba

Won-bah

Sugar Glider

WalburriWal-boo-reeSunBunganBoon-gun

Sword

Wagay

Wag-eyeTelephone

Djala gara-barra

Jah-lah gah-ra-bah-ra

Today

Yalungunda

Yah-loon-underTurtle

Badjigal

Bud-gee-gull

TwoMulu

Moo-looWallaby

DulbilDool-bill

WindGuyurru

Goo-yoo-roo

YesYiyYii

Learn more about Djabugay!
Listen to Michael Quinn talk about the revival of Djabugay language as part of ABC Open’s
Mother Tongue Project: https://open.abc.net.au/explore/83977

Need further information?
(07) 3842 9836 | kdhagun@slq.qld.gov.au© SLQ 2019. V1 last updated Mar 2019.

This guide is licensed under a Creative CommonsAttribution 3.0 Australia licence. You are free tocopy, communicate and adapt this work, so longas you attribute State Library of Queensland.
For more information see
http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/au

Sources and Further Reading
Words listed above were sourced from several historical texts within the State LibraryCollections, including the following items. There may be variations in spelling and/orpronunciation across the region due to dialectical differences.
Brim, W. and Eglitis, A. (2005) Creatures of the rainforest: two artists explore Djabugay
country. CLG 591.99436 2005
Curr, E. M. (1887) The Australian Race: its origins, languages, customs, place of landing inAustralia and the routes by which it spread itself over that continent. John Ferres
Government Printer: Melbourne. RBF 572.994 cur
Meston, A. (undated) Archibald Meston Papers Undated. OM64-17
Quinn, M. (1992) Djabugay: A Djabugay-English Dictionary. P499.15 qui
Quinn, M., Averis, M. and Johnson, K. (1992) Djabugay: an illustrated English-Djabugay
dictionary. P499.15 dja

Further Details
For more information on Djabugay: North Queensland Regional Aboriginal Corporation
Language Centre serves as the Indigenous Language Centre for North Queensland; visit
NQRCALC’s website: www.nqraclc.com.au/

State Library of Queensland
For further information on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander languages at the State
Library of Queensland, please contact:kuril dhagun, State Library of Queensland
Stanley Place, South Brisbane Qld. 4101.
PO Box 3488, South Brisbane Qld. 4101.
Telephone: (07) 3842 9836

Fax: (07) 3842 9893

SLQ Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Languages Webpages:
www.slq.qld.gov.au/resources/atsi/languages
SLQ Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Languages Blog:
http://blogs.slq.qld.gov.au/ilq/

Need further information?
(07) 3842 9836 | kdhagun@slq.qld.gov.au© SLQ 2019. V1 last updated Mar 2019.

This guide is licensed under a Creative Commons
Attribution 3.0 Australia licence. You are free tocopy, communicate and adapt this work, so longas you attribute State Library of Queensland.
For more information see
http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/au