Chepara Yugarapul Language of South-East Queensland
The following list identifies Yuggara everyday words & their suggested pronunciation. Some of these words may still be used in South-East Queensland communities. As Aboriginal languages were oral-based, the spelling of the Yuggara may differ in historical documents & other sources; for example, Yugara is the AIATSIS preferred spelling, however, it has also been spelt Yuggera, Jagara, and Yaggara. The following list should be used as a guide ONLY.
The purpose of this document is to allow for all people wanting assistance to understand the importance of local Aboriginal People’s language & some basic, common words – please remember that senior Traditional Owner Elder, Uncle Desmond Sandy, has given permission for you to use these phrases so long as you demonstrate proper respect & the wise use for positive dialogue. Also remember that Aboriginal People words written here in English are the best phonetic interpretation.
We wish you that your genuine interest in Aboriginal culture continues, and that you understand and appreciate that language is such an important part of Aboriginal culture – if your heart is pure so will Uncle Desmond Sandy’s permission for you to speak basic Yugarapul language.
Yuggara and its slight variations is the central language spoken in the Greater Brisbane area west to Ipswich & the Lockyer Valley, and was the language base of the Yugambeh & Yugarabul people.
| English | Yuggara |
|---|---|
| I | Ngata’s |
| And | Nga |
| Where? | Wunya |
| You (female) | Ngilpula |
| Than | Ngi |
| Where to? | WunyaNgo |
| You (male) | Nginte |
| To | Ngo |
| Who? | Ngan |
| You (any gender) | Nginda |
| By & By, Future | Baru |
| Hello | No word |
| You (plural) | Ngilboong |
| Today | Beren |
| Good | Marumba |
| We | Ngadli |
| Tomorrow | Ngubuga |
| Morning | Nguununubbu |
| They | Banyilayim |
| Yesterday | Ugundara |
| Evening | Yaragal |
| Going | YarraNya |
| Good Evening | Yaragal Marumba |
| Good Morning | Nguununubbu Marumba |
| Welcome you here | Ngai Jingeri Wahlu Gulli / Ngai Jingeri Ngin Gulli |
| Where to you off to? | WunyaNgo Nginda |
| Where do you go? | WunyaNgo Yadnanya NgiNgi |
| You where going? | Nginda WunyaYarra-Nya |
| Where to you off to? (plural) | WunyaNgo Ngilboong |
| You where going? (plural) | Ngilboong WunyaYarra-Nya |
| Who are you? | Ngan Nginte (male) Ngilpila (female) |
| I good | MarumbaNgata’s |
| I shall be good | Baru MarumbaNgata’s |
| Future and present – to come | Balkana |
| Welcome, come here | We-Balka |
| Future and present – to go | Yadnanya |
| We are good | MarumbaNgadli |
| We shall be good | Baru MarumbaNgadli |
| They are good | MarumbaBanyilayim |
| Good Evening | Yaragal Marumba |
| Good Morning | Nguununubbu Marumba |
Uncle Desmond Sandy, Traditional Owner Elder