Learn the Warlpiri Language

These lessons were recorded on cassette tapes in 1973. These are all we have copied to the computer. The quality is poor, but the pronunciation can still be heard and copied. We have plans to re-record these lessons.

Lesson 1:  Vocab, this/that/there, basic verbs, is this?
Lesson 2:  Vocab & verbs, 'what's happening/doing, plurals.
Lesson 3:  Vocab, I/you/he/she/it
Lesson 4:  Vocab, towards/away/past, suffix- on/at/by/in, future and past tense '-mi' verbs

Lesson 5:  Vocab; suffix - towards/away; suffix- for; and 'command' ending '-ya'
Lesson 6:  Vocab & verbs; past tense '-rni' verbs; suffix - ergative 'doing something to something'; not; back.
Lesson 7:  Vocab & verbs; asking name/skin name; belonging to; introduction to skin names
Lesson 8:  Vocab & verbs; mine/your, family words and belonging terms; personal pronouns.

Lesson 9:  Vocab & verbs; past tense of '-nyi' verbs; suffixes -object endings for them/you/me; suffix - 'to him/her'
Lesson 10: Vocab and verbs; personal pronouns - all 10!; subject suffixes; suffix - 'because of/lest'
Lesson 11:  Vocab & verbs; later; suffixes - direct/indirect object
Lesson 12:  Vocab & verbs; transitive/intransitive verbs
Lesson 13:  Vocab & verbs; what for; what from; how many; when; today/yesterday/tomorrow; numbers; 'if'; in order to; while; then; when.

Useful Conversation Phrases

These are some random useful phrases to get you started in different situations but, as in English, there are many different ways to say things.

Useful Basics

Yuwayi: yes

Lawa: no

Ngurrju: good

Wati: man

Karnta: woman

Kurdu: child

Yapa: Aboriginal person

Kardiya: non-aboriginal person

ngurrju - mayinpa?: how are you?

nyiya nyampuju?: what is this?

ngana nyampuju?: who is this?

Junga: true, that’s right

nyiya-nyiya: skinname

wiyarrpa: poor thing

ngakarnangku nyanyi: see you later

ngaka: later

yaruju!: hurry!

murnma: wait!

warlka: lies

Feelings

Ngajurna mata: I’m tired

Ngajurna wardinyi: I’m happy

Ngajurna wajampa: I’m sad

Ngajurna yarnunjuku: I’m hungry

Ngurrju-mayinpa?: how are you feeling?

Yuwayi, ngurrjurna: I’m good/well

Lawa, majurna: I’m not good/well

[Jurru] karna murru-murru jarrimi: my [head] is hurting

Wiyarrpa: poor thing (used for something unfortunate, not just sickness)

Warlpiri Help

Pina-jarrimi karna Warlpiri: I am learning Warlpiri

Nyiya yirdiji [Warlpiri word]?: what is this word [Warlpiri word]?               

Nyarrpa karna wangkami [word] Warlpiriji?: How do I say [English word] in Warlpiri?

Wangkaya Warlpiri: speak Warlpiri

Useful Resources

These are some random useful resources to have you learn new things.

Feelings Poster

Skin names

Palka - Body Poster

Seasons Posters

Face Poster

Colours Posters

Warlalja - Family Tree Poster

Sentence Making