Back

Phrase Detail

Nyarrəmbən-para
The old men
Pronunciation:
Say: nyarr-əm-bən-par-ar
Notes:
Vowels: Standard - 'a' as in 'path' or 'car',  'ə' neutral sound as in ‘the’.
Consonant combination - 'ny' (palato-nasal) combine 'n' and 'y' while top of tongue touches hard palate plus nasal vibration. (Avoid the English 'nee' as in 'many')

Literal Meaning:
Lit. Old man many
Shows:
Noun, Noun ending - plural - para
Explanation:
In Wamba Wamba a word like 'nyarrəmbən' can mean 'one old man' or a number of 'old men' depending on what is happening or who is there when it is said. To make sure that it is understood that it is 'many' or 'more than two'  the ending 'para' can be added. Eg - 'ngunyim-kurrk-para' (the old women).
Learning Focus:
Systems of Language
Learning Exercise:
Build: Look up, write down and practise saying 'the young boys', 'many corella's', 'many houses', 'the Uncles'.
Phrase Sentence:
Phrase
Words Associated:
nyarrəmbən - old man
para - many, plural marker on nominals
Topics:
Communication - Describing
Age Guides:
Advanced, Yr 10-12, Yr 7-9, Yr 4-6
Reference:
'How to Say things in Wamba Wamba': Louise Hercus, TAFE Cultural Studies notes.