Global InformationMartu Wangka dialect information
| Martu Wangka | |
|---|---|
| Wangkajunga | |
| Region | Northwest Western Australia |
| Ethnicity | Kartudjara, Manjiljarra, Yulparija, Maduwongga |
Native speakers | 814 (2021 census)[1] |
Language family | Pama–Nyungan
|
| Language codes | |
| ISO 639-3 | mpj |
| Glottolog | mart1256 |
| AIATSIS[2] | A86 |
| ELP |
|
Martu Wangka, or Wangkajunga, is a variety of the Western Desert language that emerged during the 20th century in Western Australia[3] as several indigenous communities shifted from their respective territories to form a single community.
Traditionally, its speakers live in territory that is part of the Great Sandy Desert and near the Canning Stock Route, as well as Christmas Creek and Fitzroy Crossing. These are areas that are considered deserts but have many water holes that speakers travel between.[4]: 1–2
There are over 800 speakers of Martu Wangka in various communities across the Western Desert region. The largest of these communities is estimated at 100 speakers, while some of the smallest communities have as few as 15 speakers. While older speakers continue to use Martu Wangka as their primary language, younger speakers tend to understand Martu Wangka but use different languages in their daily lives.[4]: 18–19 For example, many younger speakers primarily use an English-based creole commonly referred to as the Fitzroy Valley Kriol.[5]
The alternative language name Wangkajunga to identify this variety only appears to have emerged in the 1970s.[6] This name is said to have been based on the words wangka meaning 'talk' or 'word' and junga meaning 'correct' or 'straight,' so when put together, the language name essentially means 'the correct language.' It is important to note, however, that there is still some debate on how this name should be spelled, as it has been recorded differently by different linguists studying the language.[4]: 11 A dictionary of over 400 pages was published in 1992.[7]
- ^ "SBS Australian Census Explorer". Retrieved 7 May 2023.
- ^ A86 Martu Wangka at the Australian Indigenous Languages Database, Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies
- ^ Jones, Barbara (2011). A grammar of Wangkajunga: a language of the Great Sandy Desert of north Western Australia. Canberra: Pacific Linguistics. ISBN 9780858836488.
- ^ a b c Jones, Barbara (2011). A grammar of Wangkajunga : a language of the Great Sandy Desert of north Western Australia. Australian National University. Pacific Linguistics. Canberra: Pacific Linguistics, Research School of Pacific and Asian Studies, The Australian National University. ISBN 9780858836488. OCLC 796935273.
- ^ Hudson, Joyce (1983). Grammatical and semantic aspects of Fitzroy Valley Kriol. Darwin: Summer Institute of Linguistics.
- ^ "A87: Wangkajunga". collection.aiatsis.gov.au. 26 July 2019. Retrieved 12 March 2024.
- ^ Marsh 1992.