Kartutjarra language facts for kids

Kartutjarra (also known as Kardutjara) is an Indigenous Australian language spoken in Western Australia. It belongs to a large group of languages called the Pama–Nyungan family, and more specifically, it's part of the Wati languages group.

Sometimes, Kartutjarra is thought of as a dialect (a different version) of the Western Desert language. However, experts like Bowern classify it as its own distinct language. Kartutjarra is also one of the languages that make up a mix of languages called Martu Wangka.

What is Kartutjarra Sign Language?

Many Indigenous Australian peoples, especially in central Australia, have (or used to have) signed forms of their languages. This means they used hand gestures and body movements to communicate, just like spoken language.

Among the groups who speak the Western Desert languages, a special sign language for Kardutjara has been reported. This signed Kardutjara was very well-developed, allowing people to have full conversations without speaking.