Thura-Yura languages

Yura
Thura-Yura
Geographic distribution	South Australia
Linguistic classification	Pama–Nyungan Arandic–Thura-Yura Yura
Subdivisions	Yura proper Kadli Wirangu
Glottolog	thur1253
Thura-Yura languages (green) among other Pama–Nyungan (tan). The two groups are Nangga (west) and Yura–Kadli (east)

The Yura or Thura-Yura languages are a group of Australian Aboriginal languages surrounding Spencer Gulf and Gulf St Vincent in South Australia, that comprise a genetic language family of the Pama–Nyungan family. The name Yura comes from the word for "person" in the northern languages; this is a lenited form of the thura found in other languages, hence Thura-Yura. Similar words for "person" are found in languages outside the group, however.

The following classification is proposed by Bowern & Koch (2004):

• Nangga: Wirangu, Nauo
• Core Thura-Yura
  • Yura (northern): Adnyamathanha–Kuyani, Barngarla
  • Kadli (southern): Narangga, Kaurna,
  • (unclassified) Nukunu, Ngadjuri

A Nukunu speaker reported that the Nukunu could understand Barngarla and Kuyani, but not more distant varieties.

Dixon (2002) lists a Nantuwara language, but there is no data for it.

References

• Simpson, Jane; Hercus, Luise (2004). "Thura-Yura as a subgroup". In Claire Bowern; Harold Koch (eds.). Australian Languages: Classification and the Comparative Method. Amsterdam/Philadelphia: John Benjamins Publishing Company.