Warlpiri

Warlpiri is part of the Yapa/Ngarrkic group of Pama-Nyungan languages. About 3,000 people out of a total population of 5,000 speak Warlpiri. Most also speak English, and many speak other aboriginal languages, such as Arrernte, Jaru and Warumungu, as well. The traditional land of the Warlpiri is in the Northern Territory of Australia to the north and west of Alice Springs, and the largest settlement is Yuendumu.

Warlpiri is written with the Latin alphabet without any diacritical marks. A spelling system for the language was first devised by Lothar Jagst during the 1950s and has been revised slightly since then.

Warlpiri pronunciation

Sample text in Warlpiri

Kuja kalapalanyanu kajangka nyurruwiyi walyajarrarlu marripungu marda, kala purungku pakarnunjunu, manu marda kala panturnunjunu kajangka. Ngulajangkaji kalanyanu kangurnu. Ngampurrparluju ngulaji kalalu yawarra wiri panturnu wanarrirla. Ngampurrpawangurlu ngulaju kalalu pakarnu purturlurla kurdunyanurluju, manu marda kajanyanurlu kalalu pakarnu purturlurla kuturukurlurlu. Ngulangka kalaunyanu walykayirrarnu, Nyanungujarrarlu yangka kijijirli ngulaji kalapalanyanu jurru pakarnu, manu marda kala purturlu pajurnu junmangku, manu wanarri kala panturnu.

Translation

When two of our ancestors long ago wanted something, one of them perhaps would go and steal it by hitting the other, or maybe he would go and spear him. After that he would turn himself in. If they so desired, then they would wound him severely by spearing him in the thigh. But if they did not so desire, then the nephews (of offended party) would hit him on the back, or perhaps the sons (of the offended party) would hit him on the back with a club. That's how they used to appease themselves. Two of the close kin, they would hit each other on the head, or maybe one would cut him with a knife, or spear his thigh.

Source: http://www.language-museum.com/w/warlpiri.htm