Wajarri language facts for kids

Wajarri is an Aboriginal language from Australia. It is considered an endangered language, meaning very few people speak it today. Wajarri belongs to the Kartu languages group, which is part of the larger Pama–Nyungan family of languages.

Where Wajarri is Spoken

The Wajarri language comes from the traditional lands of the Wajarri people in Western Australia. This area is inland from the city of Geraldton. It stretches south and west to Mullewa, north to Gascoyne Junction, and east to Meekatharra.

Efforts to Keep Wajarri Alive

Many people are working hard to make sure the Wajarri language doesn't disappear.

Past Work on the Language

In the 1990s, the Yamaji Language Centre started working on Wajarri. They created a wordlist with pictures and other helpful materials.

Wajarri Today: Learning and Resources

Since 2005, a group called the Irra Wangga–Geraldton Language Programme has continued this important work. They have created a printed dictionary and even a dictionary app for phones!

They also work with schools to teach Wajarri to students. Plus, they hold weekly language classes for the community. In 2008, Wajarri became the first Aboriginal language that students in Western Australia could study at a high level in senior secondary school.

Who are the Wajarri People?

People who speak Wajarri, or whose families mainly spoke Wajarri, often call themselves Wajarri. The word for 'man' in Wajarri is yamatji (yamaji). Wajarri people often use this word to refer to themselves. Sometimes, yamaji can also be used to talk about other Aboriginal people, especially those from the Murchison-Gascoyne area.

Interesting Wajarri Words

A famous Wajarri woman named Julitha Joan Walker (1931–2009) shared that her first name, Jjulitha, was a Wajarri word. It meant 'walkabout', which is a journey on foot into the Australian bush.