Scripture Resources

General Language Information:

Wubuy is the language of the approximately 500 Nunggubuyu people living in the area near Numbulwar on the Gulf of Carpentaria in the Northern Territory. In the past this language was known as ‘Nunggubuyu’, however it is more correctly the name of the people group meaning “people of Wubuy”.

It is used as a partial or second language by a further 400 people in the Numbulwar region. Speakers are bilingual in Kriol, and while they understand Wubuy children generally speak Kriol.

According to Dr Brett Baker (University of Newcastle) “Difficulties in deciphering Wubuy grammar has meant it has been relatively overlooked.” The Wubuy language is unique and complex.

Early Bible translation work in Wubuy began with CMS Missionary Len Harris (pictured right) when he realised one of the languages, Wubuy, was widely understood around the Arnhem Land coast because its speakers, the Nunggubuyu people, were great travellers by canoe or across country. It was a kind of “lingua franca” in those days, so Len decided that it would be the best language into which to translate the Bible.

A MiniBible was printed in the early 1990’s, containing 70% of the New Testament and a small selection of Old Testament portions (Genesis 1-11, Ruth & Jonah). Continuing work by the Wubuy translators with assistance from Michael & Margaret Hore saw the dedication of the New Testament (along with Old Testament portions) at Numbulwar in September 2010.