Language

The language of the Yolngu people is also known as “Yolngu matha”. It is spoken mostly in a large part of Australia’s Northern territories such as the Arnhem Land. It is a member of the Pama-Nyungan language family. It is spoken by over 2,000 different people.  There are 12 different dialects with very different variations between each one. It shares many similar features and sounds of the other languages spoken in Australia. 

Yolgnu itself means “man” or “person” and is mostly used to refer to the people of the Yolgnu community. It is, however, divided into several different mutually intelligible languages. 

During the 1930’s many missionary groups became interested in this group and tried to write down the language. It’s still used today, but there is no real standard spelling system.

Some Yolngu Phrases

Nhäma (goodbye) 
Nhäma yalala (see you later) 
Nhäma godarr' (see you tomorrow)

Nhamirri nhe? (how are you?) 
Manymak bay' (good) 
Nhamirri manda? (how are you two?) 
Yaka manymak (not good) 
Nhamirri walala? (how are they?) 

Märr-gangga/Latju (not too bad/they are good) 

Image from: http://www.omniglot.com/writing/yolngu.php

Sources:

http://www.yolngu.net/

http://www.ealta.org/yolgnupeople.html