Waanyi language


Waanyi, also spelt Wanyi, Wanji or Waanji, is an extinct Australian Aboriginal language formerly spoken by the Waanyi people of the lower gulf area of Northern Queensland, Australia.
The language region includes the western parts of Lawn Hill Creek and Nicholson River, from about the boundary between the Northern Territory and Queensland, westwards towards Alexandria station, Doomadgee, and Nicholson River. It includes the local government area of the Aboriginal Shire of Doomadgee.
Words and phrases from this language are used by novelist Alexis Wright in her 2013 novel, The Swan Book.

Phonology

Phoneme inventory
Phonemic long vowels are rare.