Dhuwaya
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A language of Australia
Alternate Names
Baby Gumatj
Autonym
Dhuwaya
User Population
1,500, all users. L1 users: 500 (2015 C. Bow). L2 users: 1,000 (2015 C. Bow).
Location
Northern Territory, North-east Arnhem Land, Yirrkala and surrounding outstations.
Language Maps
Language Status
4 (Educational).
Dialects
Most closely related to Gumatj [gnn]. Dhuwaya is Yolngu variety that has resulted from language contact between different Yolngu dialects (Amery 1993).
Language Use
Dhuwaya has evolved as the Yirrkala communilect or common language spoken by all of the younger generation irrespective of clan membership (Amery 1993). Most also use English [eng].
Language Development
Dhuwaya is used as the language of instruction up to grade 4 in the bilingual program at Yirrkala School (Amery 1993:61). Bible portions: 2019.