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The Yukulta language

An introduction to the Yukulta language of NW Queensland, Australia.

Yukulta is an indigenous Australian language which was spoken in the Gulf of Carpentaria, on the coast near the Wellesley Islands.  (There is another language of the same name spoken in British Colombia, Canada, by a Semiahmoo tribe, which is completely unrelated).  As with many Australian languages, Yukulta is no longer actively spoken.  This site attempts to give an broad outline of the language.  The bulk of the information contained in these pages is sourced from the work of Sandra Keen, whose 1983 Yukulta grammar remains the definitive reference for the language.

This site is mainly intended for readers with some knowledge of linguistics, although a glossary is provided to clarify any terms which may be unfamiliar.  Readers might also find something of interest in the introductory pages, which address the geography and culture of the Yukulta people, and in the vocabulary section, which provides a word-list with English translations.  Some links to other sites addressing Yukulta and related languages have been compiled, and references to relevant and cited texts are provided throughout.

There is much about Yukulta that is still not known, although it is currently an area of research in Australian linguistics.  One aim of this site is to raise awareness of the linguistic diversity of indigenous Australia, by promoting knowledge of just one of the many languages which have been lost.

- This site is still under construction - last updated - 26 Apr 2003 -
- Please contact  Michael Proctor  with any suggestions, errata or queries -

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