1. The Region
  2. Cultural Information
  3. Demographics
  4. Languages

Languages

Languages of the Barkly region

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Many Aboriginal people speak several Indigenous languages with English frequently being a third or even fourth language. Around 50 per cent of the total population over 15 years of age speaks a language other than English at home (ABS National Regional Profile 2006). The term “language group” is often used to describe different groups of Aboriginal people because they identify themselves by their language. Each “language group” in the Barkly will have some customs which are the same, and some that are different. Some of the larger language groups in the region include Warumungu, Warlmanpa, Warlpiri, Jingili, Garawa, Mudburra, Kaytetye. Alyawarr, Anmatyerre and Wambaya.

Below is a list of all the languages used in the Barkly region.

  • ALYAWARR
  • ANMATYERRE
  • ARRENTE
  • GARRAWA
  • GURINDJI
  • JINGILI
  • KAYETETYE
  • KRIOL
  • KURDANJI
  • LURITJA
  • MUDPURRA
  • PITJANTJATJARA
  • WAMBAYA
  • WARLMANPA
  • WARLPIRI
  • WARUMUNGU
  • YANYUWA