Garrwa is the only surviving member of a small family that straddles the border between Queensland and the Northern Territory. It lies on the coast of the Gulf of Carpentaria, which you can see on even a world map.
The Gulf of Carpentaria is right on the top of the country. It has the stubby peninsula to the west and the long spiky peninsula to the east.
Notable rivers within the Garrwa territory include the Robinson and the Foelsche. Notable towns include Robinson River and Seven Emu.
According to the 2021 census, it has around 150 speakers.
I enjoyed translating the extreme language within this passage. This is one where the original Hebrew really helps to unpack the full meaning it contains.
This is the first time I have worked with this language.
New Jerusalem Version:
7. You have seduced me, Yahweh, and I have let myself be seduced; you have overpowered me: you were the stronger. I am a laughing stock all day long, they all make fun of me.
8. For whenever I speak, I have to howl and proclaim, ‘Violence and ruin!’ For me, Yahweh’s word has been the cause of insult and derision all day long.
9. I would say to myself, ‘I will not think about him, I will not speak in his name any more,’ but then there seemed to be a fire burning in my heart, imprisoned in my bones.
10. I heard so many disparaging me, ‘Terror on every side! Denounce him! Let us denounce him!’ All those who were on good terms with me watched for my downfall, ‘Perhaps he will be seduced into error. Then we shall get the better of him and take our revenge!’
11. But Yahweh is at my side like a mighty hero; my opponents will stumble, vanquished, confounded by their failure; everlasting, unforgettable disgrace will be theirs.
12. Yahweh Saboath, you who test the upright, observer of motives and thoughts, I shall see your vengeance on them, for I have revealed my cause to you.
13. Sing to Yahweh, praise Yahweh, for he has delivered the soul of one in need from the clutches of the evil doers.
Garrwa:
7. Jarrbalamba ŋaninji Bubulijbawañi, jarrbalijba ŋanduwañi ŋayu, jawijbayi jadibirriñi ŋaninji, ninji bijal kudañu, kakalijba ŋana yalu wujuju, ŋirrkimba ŋana bukamba.
8. Yañba ŋayi, ñindujina kaya: “Dabawarr maniñjakujbawarr!” Yañi Bubulijbañi ŋaŋi daruŋujbayi wujuju kakalkakalŋujbayi.
9. Yañba ŋayi: “Miku mankumanku ŋakaja naŋaŋi, miku jañindu ñulundu nijina.” Baki ŋulya jaŋuwañi dañka, mulamba ŋulina. Ŋarujba ŋayi, miku kijijba ŋayiyi.
10. Manku ŋayi yañi damalijba: “Dabayurriwarr wawanamba! Yinbakiyi! Yinba ŋaliyaju! Lalanbayi ŋaki bakambawañi kandimukuñi linjuwarr, “Junu jarrbalijba jañulu, baki dalyamba ŋalija yurrŋumba ŋalija dalyamba.”
11. Bubulijba ŋakindu kudañu jalajalabawarr; malijba ŋana yalu baki damalijba jayalu, miku yaluyi; miku malba yaluyi mili; mudiñba yaluŋka.
12. Bubulijba Luŋkiñbawarr, kaburrmba ninji kaburrmuku baki najba yunkurr baki yañi, najba jaŋayu yaluña dañalamba maniwañi ŋañi, yu yu diŋiñba niŋayi.
13. Birijbakiyi Bubulijbañi, jadiyadimbakiyi Bubulijba! Jarimba ñuli yunkurr buwakanjañañi, maniyurri dalyawijbawarr.
King James Version:
7. O LORD, thou has deceived me, and I was deceived: thou art stronger than I, and hast prevailed: I am in derision daily, every one mocketh me.
8. For since I spake, I cried out, I cried violence and spoil; because the word of the LORD was made a reproach unto me, and a derision, daily.
9. Then I said, I will not make mention of him, nor speak any more in his name. But his word was in mine heart as a burning fire shut up in my bones, and I was weary with forbearing, and I could not stay.
10. For I heard the defaming of many, fear on every side. Report, say they, and we will report it. All my familiars watched for my halting, saying, Peradventure he will be enticed, and we shall prevail against him, and we shall take our revenge on him.
11. But the LORD is with me as a mighty terrible one: therefore my persecutors shall stumble, and they shall not prevail: they shall be greatly ashamed; for they shall not prosper: their everlasting confusion shall never be forgotten.
12. But, O LORD of hosts, that triest the righteous, and seest the reins and the heart, let me see thy vengeance on them: for unto thee have I opened my cause.
13. Sing unto the LORD, praise ye the LORD: for he hath delivered the soul of the poor from the hand of evildoers.
