Garadjari language facts for kids

Garadjari is an Aboriginal language spoken by the Karajarri people. It is also known by many other spellings, like Karajarri. This language belongs to the Marrngu group, which is part of the larger Pama-Nyungan language family. People speak Garadjari along the coast of northwestern Australia.

What is the Garadjari Language?

Garadjari is a special language from the western part of Australia. It is spoken by the Karajarri people, who are the traditional owners of their land. In 2016, about 41 people still spoke Garadjari. This makes it a language that needs to be protected.

Where is Garadjari Spoken?

The Karajarri people live along the coast in northwestern Australia. Their traditional lands are near the town of Bidyadanga. This area is known for its beautiful beaches and rich cultural history.

The Garadjari Language Family

Garadjari is part of a group called the Marrngu languages. These languages are all related to each other. The Marrngu group is then part of an even bigger family called Pama-Nyungan. This is one of the largest language families in Australia.

Different Names for Garadjari

The name of this language can be spelled in many ways. This is common for Aboriginal languages. Different people might write the sounds in slightly different ways.

Common Spellings of Garadjari

Here are some of the ways you might see the name spelled:

• Garadjari (often used in grammar books)
• Karajarri (this is the spelling the Karajarri people prefer)
• Karadjeri (used by a group called Ethnologue)
• Garadjiri
• Garadyari
• Gard'are
• Karatjarri
• Karatyarri
• Karrajarra

Sometimes, people confuse Garadjari with another language called Kurajarra or Guradjara. However, these seem to be different languages.

Sounds of Garadjari

Like many Australian Aboriginal languages, Garadjari has a unique set of sounds. It has sounds that are typical for languages from this part of the world.

Consonant Sounds

Garadjari has 17 different consonant sounds. These are the sounds made when you block air with your lips, tongue, or throat. For example, sounds like 'p', 'k', 'm', and 'n' are consonants.

Vowel Sounds

Garadjari has only three main vowel sounds. These are the open sounds you make with your mouth. Even with just three vowels, the language can make many different words. This is also common in Australian languages.