karriyolyolmen

[gaɾijoljolmɛn]

Let's story

Bininj Kunwok – 2,000 speakers – Australia (Arnhem Land)

The word karriyolyolmen can be analysed karri- (we) yolyolme (tell story) -n​ (imperative). The root yolyolme, "tell a story", or "relate news", is distinct from wokdi, "speak" or "talk".

Nga-yolyolme    bu         namarrkon   djang
I-     "story"       about     lightning      dreaming
I tell a story about lighting dreaming

​Bininj Kunwok is a complex of six language varieties spoken in West Arnhem in the 'Top End' of Australia. For more information about Bininj Kunwok visit bininjgunwok.org.au.

Source: Murray Garde (ed) Dictionary of Bininj Kunwok (unpublished)

Credit: Steven Bird, Bulanj Dean Yibarbuk