Wik-Ngathan, or Wik-Iinjtjenj (Wik-Iinychanya), is a Paman language spoken on the Cape York Peninsula of Queensland, Australia, by the Wik-Ngathan people. It is closely related to the other Wik-Ngathan language, Wik-Ngatharr and more distantly to the other Wik languages. In 1981 there were 130 speakers.

A dictionary of Wik-Ngathan has been compiled by Peter Sutton.

Phonology

Consonants

• Sounds are heard as syllabic when following consonants. A schwa may also be heard between as well, and may be heard as within the context of bilabials and as within the context of palatal consonants.

• can also be heard as when under extreme emphasis.

• Nasals may also be pre-stopped when under extreme emphasis.

• may be heard as pre-ploded-syllabic , when following consonants.

Vowels

• The high-fronted vowel sounds /y, yː/, may vary in position to [, ].

References