Ogunyjan (Y206) is classified as belonging to the Alaya-Athima language group, a set of initial-dropping languages not closely related to others of this type in the area. Alpher describes them in regional blocs, with Ogunyjan in the south-western bloc in the Dunbar Station area. Other members of this group include Awu Alaya (Kuku Thaypan) Y84 ; Aghu Tharrnggala Y65; Awu Arungu / Awu Alwang / Agu Aloja Y219; Ogh Alungul Y199; Kuku Mini Y94; Ogh Angkula 197; Ikarranggal Y198; Takalak Y125; Ogh Awarrangg Y201; Kokiny Y188; Athima Y237 (2016:41-42). Sommers describes this language as a dialect of Kunjen Y83 (2006, 1969); Rigsby notes that 'Kunjen' today signifies Uw Oykangand which is different from the classical variety which linguists identify as Ogh Undjan (Y206) (p.c. 2007).
Southern neighbour of Oykangand (Sommer 2006:7). Still spoken (partially) by a couple of people at Kowanyama; country is south of Dunbar on the Mitchell River - includes Mentana Yard (Sommer 2007 p.c.).
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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).
