McDonald (2002:15) comments that Ngaralti (S4), Nganguruku S6, Ngaiawang S7 and Ngawait S10 seem to be closely related each other. However, she also notes that, according to Tindale (1974), vocabularies of these groups show differences.
Wafer and Lissarrague (2008:31) also group them together under the 'Lower Riverland language', though they note that the names are more likely to be dialects than 'alternative designations', citing the distinct locations and differences in kinship terms described in Radcliffe-Brown (1918:243).
Previously the Thesaurus had both Ngaralda and Brabirawilung as reference names for S4. However, according to Hercus (1965), Brabirawilung was from Gippsland, which does not correspond with the location of Ngaralda identified by Capell (1963). Further, Brabirawilung is given as an alternative of Brabralung S45 by Wurm (1972). Consequently, some of the items identified as Ngaralda in MURA may actually relate to Brabralung S45.
On Murray River from Wood Hill to Port Mannum, to Bremer Creek, Palmer, Mt. Lofty Ranges, S.A. (Oates & Oates 1970:130, Capell 1963). the banks of the Murray River between Swanport and Mannum (Radcliffe-Brown 1918:243). Murray River from Wood Hill to Port Mannum; west to Bremer Creek, Palmer, and eastern scarp of Mount Lofty Ranges (Tindale 1974).
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Speaker numbers were measured differently across the censuses and various other sources listed in AUSTLANG. You are encouraged to refer to the sources.
Speaker numbers for ‘NILS 2004’ and ‘2005 estimate’ come from 'Table F.3: Numbers of speakers of Australian Indigenous languages (various surveys)' in 'Appendix F NILS endangerment and absolute number results' in McConvell, Marmion and McNicol 2005, pages 198-230 (PDF, 2.5MB).
