Language structure 

This page is for resources for the structure - or grammar - of Gamilaraay, Yuwaalaraay and Yuwaalaraay (GYY) languages. 

Transitive and intransitive verbs

Here is a chart explaining the different forms of verbs in GYY languages, featuring pictures by Gamilaraay artist Vanessa Dobson:

Download an A3 pdf version:

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Transitive verb example

You’ll see in the dictionary that gama-li is a transitive verb (as most verbs ending in -li are). This means we need a form of Ergative suffix -Gu on the ‘Doer.to’, which for miyay ‘girl’ is -dhu.



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Intransitive verb example

The dictionary shows that yana-y is an intransitive verb (as most verbs ending in -y are). The in- means 'not' here. The miyay 'girl' is the 'Doer' and does not need a suffix.

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Verb tenses

Here is a chart explaining the different forms of verbs in GYY languages, featuring a border by Gamilaraay artist Talieah Donnelly:










Download an A3 pdf version:
Download