What is Pitjantjatjara?
Pitjantjatjara is an Aboriginal language of the Western Desert, spoken in northwest South Australia, near Uluru in the Northern Territory and into Western Australia. It is one of Australia's strongest Aboriginal languages.
Pitjantjatjara is closely related to Yankunytjatjara and other Western Desert dialects, which together form a large chain of languages stretching across the desert. Many thousands of people speak these varieties.
The name comes from the word pitjantja, meaning going, used to distinguish the dialect from neighbours who use a different word for going.
Language in everyday life
Pitjantjatjara is spoken daily in communities of the APY Lands, such as Amata, Pukatja and Ernabella, and is taught in schools. Children often learn it as their first language.
At Uluru, Anangu guides use Pitjantjatjara words such as Tjukurpa and Anangu.
Common words include palya, used as a greeting meaning good or fine, and wiya, meaning no. Learning a few words is appreciated by community members.
Pitjantjatjara has a long tradition of written materials, with dictionaries, Bible translations and school books produced since the mid-twentieth century. The University of South Australia has offered Pitjantjatjara language courses, and radio stations in the region broadcast in the language.
Did You Know?
Ernabella in the APY Lands is home to Australia's oldest continuously running Aboriginal art centre, founded in 1948.