Yaygir was one of the two Gumbaynggiric languages, closely related to Gumbaynggir, both of which split from the same proto-language, though in developing their differences, their lexical cognate count was reduced to half, 46%.
[2] It is considered by Terry Crowley to be the most 'aberrant' of New South Wales languages for its phonology and acceptance of initial vowels, as opposed to the standard formation of words,[3] which normatively begin with consonants, the latter feature something it shares with Nganjaywana.
[4] Yaygir country stretched from Coffs Harbour northwards to Evans Head, and inland to Cowper on the Clarence River.
[3] Some reports state that the tribe or horde local to Coffs Harbour itself was called 'Womboyneralah', meaning 'where the kangaroos camped.
'[5] The Yaygir were bounded by the Bandjalang to the north, and the Gumbaynggirr to the south.