The classification of Nunggubuyu is problematic. Heath (1997) postulates that Nunggubuyu is most closely related to
Ngandi and Anindilyakwa. However, Evans (2003) believes that the similarities are shared retentions rather than shared innovations, and that Nunggubuyu is closest to the eastern
Gunwinyguan languages. Brett Baker (2004) demonstrates that Ngandi and Wubuy form an "Eastern Gunwinyguan" subgroup as distinct from the "jala"/"Rembarngic" subgroup which includes
Rembarrnga and
Ngalakgan. Furthermore, Van Egmond's (2012) study of the genetic position of
Anindilyakwa supports Heath's hypothesis that
Ngandi, Anindilyakwa and Wubuy/Nunggubuyu do constitute one subgroup within
Gunwinyguan. Van Egmond and Baker (2020) expand Van Egmond's (2012) evidence with lexical comparison, demonstrating that Wubuy is related to both Ngandi and
Anindilyakwa, but shares more sound changes and lexical items with the latter. == Vitality ==