Paakantyi language

{{Short description|Aboriginal language in New South Wales, Australia}}

{{use Australian English|date=March 2021}}

{{Infobox language

| name = Paakantyi

| nativename =

| states = Australia

| ethnicity = Paakantyi, Kula (Kurnu), Naualko, Paaruntyi, Parrintyi, Wilyakali (Wiljali), Danggali, Maraura, Wanjiwalku

| speakers = {{sigfig|111|2}}

| date = 2021 census

| ref = {{Cite web|url=https://www.abs.gov.au/statistics/people/people-and-communities/cultural-diversity-census/2021/|title=Cultural diversity: Census|author=Australian Bureau of Statistics|access-date=13 October 2022|date=2021}}

| familycolor = Australian

| fam1 = Pama–Nyungan

| fam2 = Yarli–Baagandji

| dia1 = ?Gurnu (Guula)

| dia2 = Naualko

| dia3 = Baarundji

| dia4 = Barrindji

| dia5 = Wiljaali

| dia6 = Dhanggaali (Thangkaali)

| dia7 = Bulaali

| dia8 = Wanyuparlku (Wanyuparlku)

| dia9 = Pantyikali

| dia10 = Marawara (Maraura){{cite book |last=Dixon |first=R. M. W. |author-link=R. M. W. Dixon |title=Australian Languages: Their Nature and Development |publisher=Cambridge University Press |year=2002 |url=http://www.cambridge.org/catalogue/catalogue.asp?isbn=0521473780|page=xxxvi}}

| map2 = Lang Status 20-CR.svg

| mapcaption2 = {{center|{{small|Paakantyi is classified as Critically Endangered by the UNESCO Atlas of the World's Languages in Danger}}}}

| iso3 = drl

| aiatsis = D12

| glotto = darl1243

| glottorefname = Paakantyi

| map = Darling language.png

| mapcaption = The Darling language (green) among other Pama–Nyungan (tan)

| altname = Darling

}}

The Paakantyi language, also spelt Paakantji, Barkindji, Barkandji, and Baagandji, and is also known as the Darling language, is a nearly extinct Australian Aboriginal language spoken along the Darling River in New South Wales from the present-day Queensland border to Bourke, then along the river to Wentworth. It includes much of the backcountry around the Paroo River, plus an area along Coopers Creek into Queensland and also through the Broken Hill district.

The name of the people and the language refers to the Paaka (Darling River, known today as the Darling-Barka). The suffix -ntyi means "belonging to".Luise Hercus. Baagandji Grammar, ANU 1960; Paakantyi Dictionary (published with the assistance of AIATSIS, 1993) Speakers of the language are known as the Paakantyi (or variant spellings). The variant is slightly different along the river proper and ceases at the confluence of the Darling-Barka and the Murray rivers.

The major work on the Paakantyi language has been by linguist Luise Hercus.Luise Hercus. Baagandji Grammar, ANU 1960; Paakantyi Dictionary (published with the assistance of AIATSIS, 1993)