Tjupan dialect facts for kids

Tjupan (also called Tjupany) is a special language from Australia. It is part of a bigger group of languages called the Wati languages. These Wati languages are themselves part of an even larger family known as Pama–Nyungan. This is one of the biggest language families in Australia!

Sometimes, Tjupan is thought of as a different way of speaking the Western Desert language. But many experts, like linguist Claire Bowern, say it is its own unique language.

Where is Tjupan Spoken?

The Tjupan language comes from the area around Lake Carnegie (Western Australia). This lake is in the western part of Australia. The name "Madoidja" (or Madoitja) is also linked to this place. It helps us know where the Tjupan language was traditionally used.

The spelling "Tjupan" is the one used by the Goldfields Language Centre. This spelling also appears in a small dictionary published by the Ngalia Heritage Research Council.

How is Tjupan Related to Other Languages?

Tjupan is connected to other languages in the Wati group. These languages share similar words and grammar. There was another language called Birniridjara, sometimes known as "Pini." It was spoken near the Tjupan area. People said that Tjupan and Birniridjara were mutually intelligible. This means speakers of one language could understand the other. However, we don't have many records of Birniridjara. So, we don't know exactly how close it was to Tjupan compared to other Western Desert languages.

Is Tjupan in Danger?

Sadly, Tjupan is a highly endangered language. This means very few people still speak it fluently. In 2018, only 6 people were fully fluent speakers of Tjupan. When a language has so few speakers, it is at risk of disappearing forever. This makes it very important to try and keep Tjupan alive.