Dalabon

A language of Australia

ISO 639: ngk
Alternate Names: Bouin, Boun, Buan, Buin, Buwan, Dangbon, Gundangbon, Nalabon, Ngalabon, Ngalkbon, Ngalkbun
Population: 5 (2010 ELDP).
Location:: Northern Territory: Arnhem Land, Katherine area, Bulman and Weemol.
Language Status: 8b (Nearly extinct).
Classification: Australian, Gunwingguan, Ngalkbun
Language Use: Few domains. Elderly only. Shifted to English [eng]. Also use Gunwinggu [gup]. Also use Kriol [rop]. Also use Rembarrnga [rmb]. Used as L2 by Djauan [djn], Rembarrnga [rmb].
Language Development: Dictionary. Diwurruwurru-jaru Aboriginal Corporation made a teacher’s guide and video materials in the late 1990s and early 2000s. Sarah Cutfield ran the Dalabon Oral Histories Project from 2006 to 2008. There are a number of younger ‘semi-speakers’ who are actively engaged in documentary and revitalization work on their language.
Language Resources: OLAC resources in and about Dalabon
Writing: Unwritten [Qaax].

Location: Northern Territory: Arnhem Land, Katherine area, Bulman and Weemol.