Tape-recordings of the three texts given below, in addition to recordings and transcriptions of the twenty other Yidiɲ texts collected, have been deposited with the Australian Institute of Aboriginal Studies, P.O. Box 553, Canberra City, A.C.T., 2601, Australia.

Each numbered line constitutes a complete ‘sentence’ (as defined in chapters 4 and 5). ‘/’ indicates the end of an intonation group (the utterance could finish at such a point).

Text 2

The myth of Damari and Guyala – see 1.5. Guyala was a sensible man, who tried to organise the details of life logically and easily; but his brother Damari was silly and obstructive, often being intent on making things as complex and difficult as he could. Told by Dick Moses in the coastal dialect (recorded at Yarrabah on 15 December 1970; duration 12¼ minutes).

1. damariŋgu yaymi:ldaɲu bulmba /

Damari-erg ask-coming-past place-abs

Damari came and asked [his brother] about the place.

Damari and Guyala have come from the north looking for a home. When they reach the Mulgrave region Damari suggests that a likely place may be close by.

2. gana bulmba yiŋu wawa /

try place-abs this-abs look-imp

‘Come and have a look at this place!’ [Damari says].

3. gana ŋali gali:na / gana bulmba numbin / ŋaɲdi

try we two-sa go-purp try camp-abs look for-imp we-sagana galin /

try gO-imp

‘We two should try to go. Let's try to look for a camping-site! We must try to go!’ [Damari continued].