Oceania Linguistic Monographs, No.4; An Introduction to the Western Desert Language of Australia; Part One

AN INTRODUCTION TO TFIE V/EST-ERN DESERT LANGUAGE.

FART ONE.
PRONUNCIATION.

SECTION 1. THE ALPHABET.

In the Western "desert Language there are 17 consonants,
symbolized thus: p, tj, t, t,k,m,ny,n,n,ng,ly,l,l,r,r,w,y.
And there are 6 vowels, "three short: a,i,u, 3 long: a:,l:,u: .

This Alphabet has been adopted throughout the Western
Desert and has been designed to simplify the teaching of reading
to the native speakers of the language.

Beginners should understand that each symbol, whether a
single letter (such as "p") or a digraph (such as "t j")" stands
for one sound which is significant to the native speaker. The
letters do not necessarily carry their English sound values.

No.l chart shov/s HOW and WHERE the sounds are produced.

CHART OP SOUNDS NO.l.

LIPS

TYPE OP SOUND.

c| AIR STREAM
COMPLETELY
STOPPED.

Lip
Sounds

P

Tongue

tip

touch 'g

teeth

tj

Tongue

tip
on Gum-
ridge

Tongue

tip
turned
back

Back of
tongue
on soft
palate.

N
S

N
A
N
T
S

AIR STREAM
THROUGH NOSE.

m

nj

n

n

ng

AIR STREAM
AROUND SIDES
0? TONGUE.

ly

1

AIR STREAI^
OYER CENTRE
OF TONGUE.

AIR STREAM
UNRESTRICTED.

w

V

w

E
L
S

HIGH IN MOUTH.

short
long.

1
i!

u
u:

LOW IN MOUTH.

short
long.

a

a;

CHART OF SOUNDS N0>2> page 2.

This chart gives a brief technical description of the
phonemes, the nearest English equivalents, and examples.

For a fuller technical description of the sounds of the
Western Desert language aee my "Phonology of the Australian Abo-
riginal Language Spoken at Ooldea", OOEAITIA Vol, XXV No. 3. Mar, '57.

ABBREVIATIONS: vl,- voiceless, vd;=voiced. asp. = aspir-
ated. iHiasp.- unaspirated. n/s.= non-syllabic. voc.=: vocoid.
'unr.= unrounded. cl.= close.

ALPHA-

' TECHNICAL DESCRIPTION

NEAREST ENG.

EXATH^LES PROM

BET.

OP THE PHONEMES.

EQUIVALENT.

THE LANGUAGE.

P

vl.bilabial unasp.stop.

p as in Spin.

papa

'dog'

tj

vl. dental stop.

No Eng.Equiv.

kat ja

'son '

«

vl.retroflex stop.

M II ft

wata

'tree '

t

vl. alveolar unasp.stop.

t as in stay.

kata

'head'

k

vl. velar unasp.stop.

k as in Skin.

kapi

'water '

m

vd. bilabial nasal.

m as in Mat.

inama

'father'

ny

vd. dental nasal,
vd. alveolar nasal.

No Eng.Equiv.

n as in Nut.

nyangu

'saw'

n

wanka

life'

n

9

vd.retroflex nasal.

No Eng.Equiv.

wanka

caterpillr,

ng

vd. velar nasal,
vd. dental lateral.

ng in Singer.
No Eng.Equiv.

wangka

•talk'

ly

palya '

good '

1

vd. alveolar lateral.

1 as in Lot.

pala '

that'

1

•

vd.retroflex lateral.

No Eng.Equiv.

^la '

hole'

r

vd. alveolar trill.

Scotch r

v/aru '

wallaby'

r

vd.retroflex liquid.

r as in rake.

waru '

fire '

w

vd.labio-velar n/s voc.

w as in Wet.

wiya '

no '

y

vd. alveolar n/s, voc.

y as in Yet.

yuwa '

yes'

i

vd.high cl. front "unr."

i as in Radio

wilt ja

'shade '

i:

ditto, long vocoid.

Twice length

wi:lyke

L 'wildcat'

a

vd.low open central

imr. vocoid.

a in Father

nyaku '

will see'

a:

ditto, long vocoid.

Twice length

nyarku

'my?'

u

vd.high open back

rounded vocoid.

u as in Put.

puni '

horse '

u:

ditto, long vocoid.

Twice length pu;n u *blew'

STRESS occurs on the first syllable, e.g. papa 'dog' = ['papa]

8.
"norms" of the vowels (as shown on page 2.), he should CONCEN-
TRATE ON THE PRODUCTION OF THE CONSONANTS. AS THE CORRECT
TONGUE POSITIONS FOR THE CONSONANTS ARE MASTERED , IT WILL BE
POUND THAT THE VO^ffELS TEND TO ASSUME THEIR CORRECT POSITIONS
AUTOMATICALLY.

SECTION 3> STRESS OR ACCENT.

A. SYIIABLE STRESS.

The FIRST syllable of each word is^ stressed (or
accented). E.g. kutjara 'two' is pronounced ku - tjara.

In words of more than three sylla'^es tne primary
stress is still on the first syllable, but a secondary stress
generally falls on the third syllable. E.g. y u lpa rira 'south'
is pronounced "yulpa- ' rira .

In certain compounds, where this rule does not apply,
a hyphen is inserted. Each part of the compound then takes
stress on the first syllable. E.g. kut jara-kut jara 'four.

B. SENTENCE STRESS.

Sentence stress is heavier (or louder) than syllable
stress and occurs on items the speaker wishes to emphasise with-
in sentences.

Interrogative particles (parts of speech standing for
'Who?', 'What?', ^i?hy?', 'How?', «Where?' etc.) usually carry
this heavier stress.

EXAMPLES

(These sentences will also supply useful proniznciation
practice. )

The symbol ( ) precedes the syllable which takes the
heavier sentence stress in these examples.

1. ITEMS TO WHICH THE SPEAKER WISHES TO DIRECT SPECIAL ATTENTION

a. ATTENTION ON SUBJECT.

o

t jit ji nyaranya. 'There is a CHILD there. '

t jitjx nyarany
(child) (there;

b. ATTENTION ON DIRECT OBJECT.

watilu ^ manngu t junu nyinangu . * The man put up a BUSH
(man) ' (nest} (put) (satj CAMOUFLAGE and waited. '

c. ATTENTION ON ADVERB.

wati pal any a ^ nganmanypalpi pit jangu .
(man) (that; ( at * the firs t ) ( c ame ;

'That man came at the beginning (or before others),'

d. ATTENTION ON VERB.

wipu kurajaunu ^ ny av/a . 'Look, look at my beautiful tail.'
(tailj (good) (seej

9.
2. INTERROGATIVE F'ARTICLSS ALVITAYS CARRY SENTENCE STRESS

although another item (or items) also xaay he stressed in
the same sentence*
EXAMPLES .

? 'Where will you
go?

a. n gananya pit jangu ? 'Who came? '
(who) Icamej

"b. nyuntxxlu ^ wanyt jakutu kutl-pit jaku
(you) (where-to; (will-go;

^* ^ ^J^\ Pi 'fc i^g^Q' tmrpangu ? 'What went into the hole?^
(what )T^6l e-into J ( entered )

d. ngankulu *^ya:lt jingalku? 'What shall I do?'

( T ) (what^will do )

e. ^ ny a ; t j arpangu ^pi tingka ? 'What went into the HOLE?'
(what) (entered) (ITole-xnto)

SECTION 4. INTONATION >

A, SIGNIFICANCE OF INTONATION,

The rise and fall of the voice during the utterance
of a sentence may change its shade of meaning. This is also a
feature of English; recall the different ways that "YES" may he
said during a telephone conversation. The sentence

"You are going to town to-day"
changes in intonation according to whether it is said with sur-
prise, sarcastically, inquiringly, jovially, commandingly or
with doubt.

The ATTITUDE of the speaker and the type of response
he expects are revealed hy the intonation of the Desert langu-
age.

Significant intonation contours (i.e. significant ris-
ing and falling of the pitch of the voice) usually begin at a
stressed item in the sentence, (See note on SENTENCE STRESS,)

Words preceding a stressed item, and therefore preceding
a primary intonational contour, may be on a level pitch, or may
vary in pitch slightly, A slight rising and falling of pitch on
the "pre-contour" (as the intonation preceding a Primary Contour
may be named) is not regarded as significant,

EXAMPLE:

onani

Pitch
Levels

ngankuku
(my;

1.

27

HIGH PITCH

3, ngankuku ^Jx^jilu

P^-

ng-

' L - PREcCNTOtm - J LP^TMARY CONTOtm]

LOW PITCH,

;iit jilu nani nimgu? 'Did my child hit a RABBIT?*
(child; (rabbit J (hit ) ( surpri se )

10.
Nine different and significant Intonation contours have
teen identified in the Warbiirton Ranges dialect. These will now
be described. For notes on the intonation of the Ooldea dialect
see my article in Oceania Vol. XXV. No. 3.

B. DESCRIPTION OF THE NINE CONTOURS, WITH EXMFLSS.

1. METHOD OF DESCRIBING THE INTONATION CONTOURS.

There are four pitch levels, as illustrated
above. High pitch is labelled "1", low pitch is "4". Most nor-
mal speech occurs on level "3*S so that there are two pitch
levels above and one below the normal level.

Significant contours will be labelled according to
the pitch levels on which they occur. For example, SURPRISE is
indicated by the "ONE-FOUR" contour, which means that the stress-
ed item in the sentence begins on pitch level ONE, the highest
pitch, and drops to pitch level POUR, the lowest pitch.

Pitch levels are relative only, being identified in
relation to the speaker's normal pitch level,

2. DESCRIPTION OF THE CONTOURS.

THE "TWO-FOUR" CONTOUR.

In normal speech this usually indicates an author-
itative attitude. When associated with loud, rapid speech it is
indicative of angered authority. The Response expected is act-
ion or an explanation.
EXAT.TPLES:

(Note: The sign (^) indicates the onset of primary
intonational stress, and also the beginning of a significant
intonation contour. This may be preceded by a "pre-contour",
usually on the normal speech level THREE.)

n yuntulu wanyt jakutu kuti-pit ja ku? 'Where will you go to? *
pit ja , kulila. 'Come here and listen to me (I mean it). '
nyxmtulu kulinu . 'You heard (therefore do something about it).'

pa:la. 'Cook it. '

(Note: The pitch of the voice is lowered or raised step
by step with the syllables of the words. It slurs, or glides.
down only on Long Vowels; e.g. as in the last example above.)

THE "ONE-POUR" CONTOUR:

This contour is associated with SURPRISE or INTEREST.
It usually reveals that the speaker was ignorant of the fact
which stimiilated his remark, and the Response expected is Con-
firmation or further information.

mulapa ? 'Is it true?' (Contrast this with a possible Response:-

14.

D. SUMMARY OF INTONATION CONTOURS.

PITCH

GENERAL ATTITUDE

EXPECTED RESPONSE.

2-4

Authority-

1-4

Interest, Surprise

2 - 4 -

3

Deference.

1 - 4 -

3

Detached Interest,
Mild surprise.

3-1

Excitement.

3-2

Derision, Sarcasm.

2-2

Eagerness, Pear.

2 - 3 -

2

Impatience.

1 - 2 -

1

Curiosity.

Action or Explanation.
Confirmation, Information.

Optional.

Optional.

Positive Oral, or Action.

Negative or Consideration.

Sympathetic attention.

Action.

Information or explanation

SECTION 5* SOME PRONUNCIATION PITFALLS.

Below is a list of words which reveals the need to pro-
nounce sounds correctly.

The English translation following some of the words
covers only part of the full area of meaning.

A. WORDS CONTRASTING THE THREE SHORT VOWELS.

witara
kura

nyaku
nyatku

mxrar a
mirara

'singeing'
'bad'.

witir a
kuri

'holding *
'spouse ' .

witura
kuru

B. YfORDS CONTRASTING LONG VOV/ELS.
'will see ' . pal a 'that ' pun u
'why?' paila 'cook it.' putn u

C. WORDS CONTRASTING VARIOUS CONSONANTS.

'yelling',
'gazing'.

pat jar a 'biting it' pal a
patay a ' dropping ' ♦ palya

piti 'wooden dish' waru *roek wallaby' kata

■ i ±. ' 1 t I k 1^ ^ -1 _ • r-rrr-rr . « . « i L J

piti 'grave* *hole ' . waru 'fire'.

wanka 'life ' 'alive ' .
wajjika 'hairy caterpillar'
wangEa 'talk' 'language '.

'sending' •
'pointing stick'

'stick '(West).
'blew it '.

'that',
'right '.

'head '.
'son' .

ngali

ka ninu 'yandied ' 'winnowed '

Icanyinu 'kept'.

yalta 'cold'

yalta 'charcoal '(E) .

kat Ja

'hillside '(S.W.)

'we- two ' .

'little finger/toe'.

'sharpened ' .

'lined-up (for a dance)'.

nganyiri 'wild ' 'untamed ' .

nganxrx 'signature mark (on spear)

ngali

yirinu
yxrinu

16.
SIBMARY OF FROrTUNCIATlON.

A. SOUNDS HAVING ENGLISH EQUIVALMTS.

1. Ihose that are comparatively easy to produce.

"mat" mama 'father'.

'nut". . wana

•lot"

m

as

in •

n

as

in '

1

as

in '

r

•

as

in •

w

as

in '

y

as

in '

i

as

in '

a

as

in '

u

as

in '
2.

P

as

in •

t

as

in •

k

as

in •

ng

as

in •

r.

as

in "

'digging stick'.

'liver ' . palanya 'that one ' .

'fire'.

'no', r awa 'a long time'.

'yes ' . puyu 'smoke ' .

yalu

rake" .waru

'wet" wiya

'yet" yawa

'radio " yiwara 'road ' , 'track ' .

'father" yalat ja 'walkabout ' . yapu 'rock ' •

'put" ngunt ju 'mother ' .

Ihose presenting difficulties.

'spike" papa 'dog ' .

'stake" kata 'head ' .

'skate" • . . •k£;?i 'water ' .

'singer" ^'^^-S: *camp ' . minga 'ant ' .

'run "(Scotch) ^]E}i 'rock wallaby'.

B'. SOUNDS NOT HAVINCr ENGLISH EqillTALEITTS.

1. DENTALS. 2. LONG YOWETiS.

as in kat ja 'son'. i: as in wi:lyka 'native cat. '

as in nyangu 'saw'. a: as in nya;ku ? 'What for?*

as in paly a 'right'. u: as in pu;n u 'blew it. '

3. RETROFLEX CONSONANTS,
t as in wata 'tree', 'wood'.
n as in pan a 'ground*.

to

1 as in malu 'kangaroo'.

?J ^^,ES .

THE DENTAL CONSONANTS: Tongue BETWEEN teeth before a and u.

Tongue BEHIND teeth before i and preced-
ing or following another non--dental consonant.

STRESS: Primary syllable stress always occurs on first syllable
of the word.

NOTE; This page is especially intended for the Australian-
English beginner.

OCEANIA UNGUISTIC MONOGRAPHS

Editors: A. Capell and S. Wurm
No. 4

OCEANIA LINGUISTIC MONOGRAPHS
No. 4

AN INTRODUCTION TO

THE WESTERN DESERT LANGUAGE

OF AUSTRALIA

by
W. H. DOUGLAS

AN INTRODUCTION TO
******************

THE WESTERN DESERT LANGUAGE.
******************************

A Pedagogical Description of

The Western Desert Language,

based on the dialect spoken at

WARBURTON RANGES, WESTERN AUSTRALIA.

By
W. H. DOUGLAS.

Published by the University of Sydney, Australia.

PRICE: Twelve Shillings i& Sixpence

1958

University of Sydney, Australia.
1957