# Arrernte language

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Dialect cluster of Central Australia

Not to be confused with [Lower Arrernte language](/source/Lower_Arrernte_language).

Upper Arrernte Arrernte Pronunciation [aɾəⁿɖə] Native to Australia Region Northern Territory Ethnicity Arrernte people, Alyawarre, Anmatyerre, Ayerrereng, Yuruwinga Native speakers 4,100 (2021 census)[1] Language family Pama–Nyungan Arandic Arrernte Upper Arrernte Writing system Latin Signed forms Arrernte Sign Language Language codes ISO 639-3 Variously: amx – Anmatjirra aly – Alyawarr adg – Antekerrepenhe aer – Eastern Arrernte are – Western Arrernte axe – Ayerrerenge Glottolog aran1263 AIATSIS[2] C8 Arrernte, C14 Alyawarr, C8.1 Anmatyerre, C12 Antekerrepenh, G12 Ayerrerenge, C28 Akarre Map of where Arandic is spoken Arrernte is classified as Vulnerable by the UNESCO Atlas of the World's Languages in Danger. This article contains IPA phonetic symbols. Without proper rendering support, you may see question marks, boxes, or other symbols instead of Unicode characters. For an introductory guide on IPA symbols, see Help:IPA.

**Arrernte** or **Aranda** ([/ˈʌrəndə/](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Help:IPA/English);[3] Eastern Arrernte pronunciation: [\[aɾəⁿɖə\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Help:IPA/Australian_languages)), or sometimes referred to as **Upper Arrernte** (**Upper Aranda**), is a [dialect cluster](/source/Dialect_cluster) in the [Arandic language](/source/Arandic_language) group spoken in parts of the [Northern Territory](/source/Northern_Territory), Australia, by the [Arrernte people](/source/Arrernte_people). Other spelling variations are **Arunta** or **Arrarnta**, and all of the dialects have multiple other names.

There are about 4,100 speakers of **Eastern**/**Central Arrernte**, making this dialect one of the widest spoken of any Indigenous language in Australia, the one usually referred to as Arrernte and the one described in detail below. It is spoken in the [Alice Springs](/source/Alice_Springs) area and taught in schools and universities, heard in media and used in local government.

The second biggest dialect in the group is Alyawarre. Some of the other dialects are spoken by very few people, leading to efforts to [revive their usage](/source/Language_revitalization); others are now completely [extinct](/source/Extinct_languages).

## Dialects

Map showing languages

"Aranda" is a simplified, [Australian English](/source/Australian_English) approximation of the traditional pronunciation of the name of *Arrernte* [\[ˈarəɳ͡ɖa\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Help:IPA/Australian_languages).[4]

*[Glottolog](/source/Glottolog)* defines the *Arandic* [group of languages/dialects](/source/Dialect_continuum) as comprising five Aranda (Arrernte) dialects, plus two distinct languages, [Kaytetye](/source/Kaytetye_language) (Koch, 2004) and Lower Southern (or just Lower) Aranda, an extinct language.[5] *[Ethnologue](/source/Ethnologue)* defines 8 Arandic languages and classifies them slightly differently.[6]

Two dialects are more widely spoken than any of the others:

- **Eastern Arrernte** (also known as **Central Arrernte**) dialects include *Akarre*, *Antekerrepenh*, *Ikngerripenhe*, *Mparntwe Arrernte*.[7] Spoken in the Alice Springs area and others, there were 1,910 speakers in the 2016 census,[8] making it the most widely spoken Arrernte, and Australian Aboriginal, language. This is the dialect most often referred to as "Arrernte" and the strongest of all in the group. There is a project encouraging its use, *Apmere angkentye-kenhe*,[9] The first edition of *The Eastern and Central Arrernte to English Dictionary,* published in 1994, involved approximately 100 people and a dozen organisations.[10]

- The **Alyawarra** dialect is spoken by the [Alyawarra](/source/Alyawarra) people, in the [Sandover](/source/Sandover%2C_Northern_Territory) and [Tennant Creek](/source/Tennant_Creek) regions of northeastern Central Australia, as well as Queensland. In 2016 there were 1,550 speakers of the language, giving it a status of "Developing".[11] It is similar to Western Arrernte. (Kaytetye is related to this dialect, but is classed as a separate language.[12]) The first edition of the Alyawarr to English dictionary was published in 1993.[13] A picture dictionary was published in 2004 compiled by David Moore and David Blackman with members of the communities of Amperlatwaty.[14]

All of the other dialects are either threatened or extinct:

- [**Andegerebinha**](/source/Andegerebinha_dialect) (or Antekerrepenhe or Ayerrerenge) was spoken in the [Hay River](/source/Geography_of_the_Northern_Territory#Geographical_features) area (east of Alice Springs), but is now [extinct](/source/Extinct_language).[15] - **Ayerrerenge**, (also known as Yuruwinga, Bularnu and other variations) was spoken by the [Yuruwinga/Yaroinga](/source/Yuruwinga) people[16] is the north-easternmost member of the Arrernte group of languages, and the least studied.[12] It was spoken across the [Queensland](/source/Queensland) border in the [Headingly](/source/Headingly_Station), [Urandangi](/source/Urandangi), [Lake Nash](/source/Lake_Nash), Barkly Downs and [Mount Isa](/source/Mount_Isa) areas, and near Mount Hogarth, Bathurst,[17] and [Argadargada](/source/Argadargada_Station)[18] in the NT.[19] It is now extinct.[19][a] Breen (2001) says that the language was regarded as the same or similar to Andegerebinha/Antekerrepenhe by some speakers,[12] and Glottolog regards it as a dialect of it.[15]

Artist [Albert Namatjira](/source/Albert_Namatjira) was a Western Arrernte man.

- **Anmatyerr** (also spelt **Anmatyerre** and other variations),[20] divided into Eastern and Western, is spoken by the [Anmatyerr](/source/Anmatyerr) (or Anmatjirra) people.[21] The Eastern form seems more closely related to Eastern Arrernte and Southern Alywarre than Western Anmatyerre, which is noticeably different phonetically from other Arandic languages.[12] it is spoken in the Mount Allan and northwest Alice Springs regions. With only 640 speakers in the 2016 census, it is regarded as threatened.[22]

- **Western Arrarnta** (Western Arrernte, Western Aranda, Akara, Southern Aranda, possible sub-dialect *Akerre*[23]), spoken west of Alice Springs, is nearly extinct, being only spoken by 440 people in 2016.[24] Other terms are *Tyuretye Arrernte* and *Arrernte Alturlerenj*.[25][b][c] Breen distinguishes Tyurretye Arrernte (which he initially called Mbunghara) from Western Arrernte, saying that two speakers first recorded, from the Standley Chasm and Mbunghara, was not known until the mid-1980s, and that it may have been the "real" Western Arrernte, before the latter was mixed with Southern Arrernte ([Pertame](/source/Pertame)) at the [Hermannsburg Mission](/source/Hermannsburg%2C_Northern_Territory).[12] Anna Kenny has noted that the people of the Upper Finke River prefer their language to be known as Western Aranda.[28] This dialect has similarities with Alyawarre and Kaytetye.

### Sign language

The Arrernte also have a highly developed [Arrernte sign language](/source/Arrernte_Sign_Language),[29] also known as Iltyeme-iltyeme.

There is also an Anmatyerr sign language called *iltyem-iltyem* which is used by many Anmatyerr speakers to communicate non-verbally; the word iltja means 'hand, finger' and the term translates as 'signaling with hands'.[30][31] Sign language is used when Anmatyerr people when hunting, when talking to the deaf, when somebody passes away and when talking to elders.[32]

## Current usage and tuition

The Northern Territory Department of Education has a program for teaching Indigenous culture and languages, underpinned by a plan entitled *Keeping Indigenous Languages and Cultures Strong – A Plan for Teaching and Learning of Indigenous Languages and Cultures in the Northern Territory* with the second stage of the plan running from 2018 to 2020.[33][34]

The Alice Springs Language Centre delivers language teaching at primary, middle and senior schools, offering Arrernte, [Indonesian](/source/Indonesian_language), [Japanese](/source/Japanese_language), [Spanish](/source/Spanish_language) and [Chinese](/source/Chinese_language).[35]

There are two courses teaching Arrernte at tertiary level: at the [Batchelor Institute](/source/Batchelor_Institute) and at [Charles Darwin University](/source/Charles_Darwin_University).[36]

There are books available in Arandic languages in the [Living Archive of Aboriginal Languages](/source/Living_Archive_of_Aboriginal_Languages).[37]

Projects are being run to revive dying dialects of the language, such as Southern Arrernte/Pertame.[38]

## Eastern/Central Arrernte

This article should specify the language of its non-English content using {{lang}} or {{langx}}, {{transliteration}} for transliterated languages, and {{IPA}} for phonetic transcriptions, with an appropriate ISO 639 code. Wikipedia's multilingual support templates may also be used - notably aer for Eastern Arrernte. See why. (November 2024)

This description relates to Central or Eastern Arrernte.

### Phonology

#### Consonants

Peripheral Coronal Laminal Apical Bilabial Velar (Alveolo-) Palatal Dental Alveolar Retroflex Stop plain p k c̟ t̪ t ʈ prenasalized ᵐb ᵑɡ ᶮɟ᫈ ⁿd̪ ⁿd ⁿɖ Nasal plain m ŋ ɲ᫈ n̪ n ɳ prestopped ᵖm ᵏŋ ᶜɲ᫈ ᵗn̪ ᵗn 𐞯ɳ Continuant median w ɰ ~ ʁ̞ j ɾ ɻ lateral ʎ̟ l̪ l ɭ

Apart from /w/ and /ɰ ~ ʁ̞/, which are in [contrastive distribution](/source/Contrastive_distribution), all consonants have [labialized](/source/Labialized) forms in [complementary distribution](/source/Complementary_distribution), considered to be dependent on consonant position.[39] /ɰ ~ ʁ̞/ is described as velar [[ɰ](/source/Voiced_velar_approximant)] by [Breen & Dobson (2005)](#CITEREFBreenDobson2005), and as uvular [[ʁ̞](/source/Voiced_uvular_approximant)] by [Henderson (2003)](#CITEREFHenderson2003). The tap is occasionally a trill, especially when emphasized, but may also be weakened.[40]

The prenasalized series are not included in [Breen & Dobson (2005)](#CITEREFBreenDobson2005), but are treated as consonant sequences.

Stops are unaspirated.[41] Prenasalized stops are voiced throughout; prestopped nasals are voiceless during the stop. These sounds arose as normal consonant clusters; Ladefoged states that they now occur initially, where consonant clusters are otherwise forbidden, due to historical loss of initial vowels;[42] however, it has also been argued that such words start with a phonemic schwa, which may not be pronounced (see below).

#### Vowels

The [vowel phonemes](/source/Vowel_diagram) of Central Arrernte, from [Breen & Dobson (2005](#CITEREFBreenDobson2005):251). The positioning of the vowels is only approximate, as they possess a wide range of allophones. /u/ may not be a phoneme but rather just one of the allophones of /ə/.

Front Central Back High (i) (u) Mid ə Low a

All dialects have at least /ə a/.

The vowel system of Eastern/Central Arrernte is unusual in that there are only two contrastive vowel phonemes, /a/ and /ə/. Two-vowel systems are very rare worldwide, but are also found in some [Northwest Caucasian languages](/source/Northwest_Caucasian_languages). It seems that the vowel system derives from an earlier one with more phonemes, but after the development of labialised consonants in the vicinity of round vowels, the vowels lost their roundedness/backness distinction, merging into just two phonemes. There is little [allophonic](/source/Allophone) variation in different consonantal contexts for the vowels. Instead, the phonemes can be realised by various different articulations in [free variation](/source/Free_variation). For example, the phoneme /ə/ can be pronounced [ɪ ~ e ~ ə ~ ʊ] in most contexts. However, it is required to be [ʊ] when phrase-initial before a labialized consonant (see below).[43]

#### Phonotactics

The underlying syllable structure of Eastern/Central Arrernte is argued to be VC(C), with obligatory [codas](/source/Coda_(linguistics)) and no [onsets](/source/Onset_(linguistics)).[44] Underlying phrase-initial /ə/ is realised as zero, except before a rounded consonant where, by a rounding process of general applicability, it is realised as [ʊ]. It is also common for phrases to carry a final [ə] corresponding to no underlying segment.[45]

Among the evidence for this analysis is that some suffixes have [suppletive](/source/Suppletion) variants for monosyllabic and bisyllabic bases. Stems that appear monosyllabic and begin with a consonant in fact select the bisyllabic variant. [Stress](/source/Stress_(linguistics)) falls on the first [nucleus](/source/Syllable_nucleus) preceded by a consonant, which by this analysis can be stated more uniformly as the second underlying syllable. And the [frequentative](/source/Frequentative) is formed by [reduplicating](/source/Reduplication) the final VC syllable of the verb stem; it does not include the final [ə].

### Grammar

Kai Kai Western Arrernte, likely a speaker of Upper Arrernte; c. 1900

Eastern and Central Arrernte has fairly [free word order](/source/Free_word_order) but tends towards [SOV](/source/Subject%E2%80%93object%E2%80%93verb). It is generally [ergative](/source/Ergative_language), but is [accusative](/source/Accusative_language) in its pronouns. Pronouns may be marked for duality and [skin group](/source/Skin_group).[41]

Suffixes (Eastern/Central Arrernte)[46] suffix gloss +aye emphasis +ewe stronger emphasis +eyewe really strong emphasis +ke for +le actor in a sentence +le instrument +le location +le-arlenge together, with +nge from -akerte having -arenye from (origin), association -arteke similarity -atheke towards -iperre, -ipenhe after, from -kenhe belongs to -ketye because (bad consequence) -kwenye not having, without -mpele by way of, via -ntyele from -werne to +ke past +lhe reflexive +me present tense +rre/+irre reciprocal +tyale negative imperative +tye-akenhe negative +tyeke purpose or intent +tyenhe future ∅ imperative

#### Pronouns

Hut of the Eastern Arrernte Basedow, Eastern Arrernte people, Arltunga district, Northern Territory; August 1920

Pronouns decline with a nominative rather than ergative alignment:

Non-skin-group-marking pronouns (Eastern/Central Arrernte)[47] person number subject object dative possessive 1 singular ayenge/the ayenge/ayenhe atyenge atyenhe/atyinhe dual ilerne ilernenhe ilerneke ilernekenhe plural anwerne anwernenhe anwerneke anwernekenhe 2 singular unte ngenhe ngkwenge ngkwinhe dual mpwele mpwelenhe mpweleke mpwelekenhe plural arrantherre arrenhantherre arrekantherre arrekantherrenhe 3 singular re renhe ikwere ikwerenhe dual re-atherre renhe-atherre renhe-atherrenhe ikwere-atherre ikwere-atherrenhe plural itne itnenhe itneke itnekenhe

Body parts normally require non-possessive pronouns ([inalienable possession](/source/Inalienable_possession)), though younger speakers may use possessives in this case too (e.g. *akaperte ayenge* or *akaperte atyinhe* 'my head').[48]

### Examples

Eastern and Central Arrernte examples[49] Arrernte English werte ware G'day, What's new? Nothing much Unte mwerre? Ye, ayenge mwerre Are you alright? Yes, I'm alright Urreke aretyenhenge Kele aretyenhenge See you later OK, See you later

## Cultural references

- [Peter Sculthorpe](/source/Peter_Sculthorpe)'s music theatre work *[Rites of Passage](/source/Rites_of_Passage_(Sculthorpe))* (1972–1973) is written partly in Arrernte and partly in [Latin](/source/Latin).

- Western and Southern Arrernte were used in parts of the libretto for [Andrew Schultz](/source/Andrew_Schultz)' and Gordon Williams' *Journey to Horseshoe Bend*, based on the novel by [Ted Strehlow](/source/Ted_Strehlow).

## Notes

1. **[^](#cite_ref-20)** According to Glottolog: "E17/E18/E19 has a separate entry for Ayerrerenge [axe]. But Ayerrerenge is an Arandic variety subsumed under the entry Andegerebinha [adg] (Breen, Gavan 2001, Breen, J. Gavan 1971)".

1. **[^](#cite_ref-28)** In Western Arrernte lands the preferred spelling for their language is 'Arrarnta' or 'Aranda'.[26]

1. **[^](#cite_ref-30)** 'The Arandic group whose culture [Carl Strehlow](/source/Carl_Strehlow) documented in great detail identify themselves today as Western Aranda or Arrarnta. They call themselves sometimes *Tyurretyerenye*, meaning 'belonging to Tyurretye', and refer to their Arandic dialect as Western or *Tyurretye Arrernte*.'[27]

## References

1. **[^](#cite_ref-1)** Australian Bureau of Statistics (2021). ["Cultural diversity: Census"](https://www.abs.gov.au/statistics/people/people-and-communities/cultural-diversity-census/2021/). Retrieved 13 October 2022.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-AIATSIS_2-0)** [C8](https://collection.aiatsis.gov.au/austlang/language/C8) Arrernte at the Australian Indigenous Languages Database, [Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies](/source/Australian_Institute_of_Aboriginal_and_Torres_Strait_Islander_Studies) (see the info box for additional links)

1. **[^](#cite_ref-3)** Laurie Bauer, 2007, *The Linguistics Student's Handbook*, Edinburgh; also [/əˈrændə/](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Help:IPA/English) ["Aranda"](https://www.oed.com/search/dictionary/?q=Aranda). *[Oxford English Dictionary](/source/Oxford_English_Dictionary)* (online ed.). Oxford University Press. (Subscription or [participating institution membership](https://www.oed.com/public/login/loggingin#withyourlibrary) required.)

1. **[^](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTETurpin2004_4-0)** [Turpin 2004](#CITEREFTurpin2004).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-5)** ["Arandic"](https://glottolog.org/resource/languoid/id/aran1267). *Glottolog*. Retrieved 11 June 2019.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-6)** ["Arandic"](https://www.ethnologue.com/subgroups/arandic). *Ethnologue*. Retrieved 11 June 2019.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-7)** ["Ikngerripenhe"](https://glottolog.org/resource/languoid/id/ikng1238). *[Glottolog](/source/Glottolog)*. Retrieved 10 June 2019.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-8)** ["Eastern Arrernte"](https://www.ethnologue.com/language/aer). *[Ethnologue](/source/Ethnologue)*. Retrieved 11 June 2019.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-9)** ["Home page"](https://www.apmere-angkentye-kenhe.com/). *Apmere angkentye-kenhe*. Retrieved 15 June 2019.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-10)** Central Land Council (Australia); Northern Territory Land Councils (Australia) (August 1994). ["New Dictionary for a town like Mparntwe"](http://nla.gov.au/nla.obj-3724660885). *Land rights news*. **2** (33): 19 – via Trove.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-11)** ["Alyawarr"](https://www.ethnologue.com/language/aly). *[Ethnologue](/source/Ethnologue)*. Retrieved 10 June 2019.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-Breen2001_12-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-Breen2001_12-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-Breen2001_12-2) [***d***](#cite_ref-Breen2001_12-3) [***e***](#cite_ref-Breen2001_12-4) Breen, Gavan (2001). ["Chapter 4: The wonders of Arandic phonology"](https://www.researchgate.net/publication/43456489) (pdf). In Simpson, Jane; Nash, David; Laughren, Mary; Austin, Peter; Alpher, Barry (eds.). *Forty years on: Ken Hale and Australian languages*. Pacific Linguistics 512. ANU. Research School of Pacific and Asian Studies. (Pacific Linguistics). pp. 45–69. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [085883524X](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/085883524X).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-13)** Goddard, Cliff (1993). "[Book review] Alyawarr to English dictionary, compiled by Jenny Green". *Australian Journal of Linguistics*. **13** (2): 265–270.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-14)** Blackman, David, ed. (2004). *Alyawarr picture dictionary*. IAD Press picture dictionary series. Alice Springs, N.T: IAD Press. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [978-1-86465-068-6](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-1-86465-068-6).

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-GlottAnde_15-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-GlottAnde_15-1) ["Andegerebinha"](https://glottolog.org/resource/languoid/id/ande1247). *[Glottolog](/source/Glottolog)*. Retrieved 10 June 2019.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-16)** ["G12: Ayerrerenge"](https://collection.aiatsis.gov.au/austlang/language/g12). *Austlang*. Retrieved 11 June 2019.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-17)** NOTE: Cannot find reference to a Bathurst in this region, but [this map of Mt Hogarth](http://www.bonzle.com/c/a?a=p&p=35644&cmd=sp) shows a "Bathurst Bore".

1. **[^](#cite_ref-18)** ["Argadargada Waterhole (with map)"](http://www.bonzle.com/c/a?a=p&cmd=sp&zix=r&p=163041&st=&s=%20Argadargada). *Bonzle*. Retrieved 12 June 2019.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-Ethno_19-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-Ethno_19-1) ["Ayerrerenge"](https://www.ethnologue.com/19/language/axe/). *[Ethnologue](/source/Ethnologue)*. Retrieved 10 June 2019.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-21)** [C8.1](https://collection.aiatsis.gov.au/austlang/language/C8.1) Anmatyerr at the Australian Indigenous Languages Database, [Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies](/source/Australian_Institute_of_Aboriginal_and_Torres_Strait_Islander_Studies)

1. **[^](#cite_ref-22)** ["Anmatyerre"](https://glottolog.org/resource/languoid/id/anma1239). *[Glottolog](/source/Glottolog)*. Retrieved 10 June 2019.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-23)** ["Anmatyerre"](https://www.ethnologue.com/language/amx). *[Ethnologue](/source/Ethnologue)*. Retrieved 11 June 2019.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-24)** ["Akerre"](https://glottolog.org/resource/languoid/id/aker1238). *[Glottolog](/source/Glottolog)*. Retrieved 10 June 2019.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-25)** ["Western Arrarnte"](https://www.ethnologue.com/language/are). *[Ethnologue](/source/Ethnologue)*. Retrieved 11 June 2019.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEDixon2002xxxix_26-0)** [Dixon 2002](#CITEREFDixon2002), p. xxxix.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEKenny2017xvii_27-0)** [Kenny 2017](#CITEREFKenny2017), p. xvii.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEKenny20176_29-0)** [Kenny 2017](#CITEREFKenny2017), p. 6.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-31)** Kenny, Anna (17 November 2017). "Aranda, Arrernte or Arrarnta? The Politics of Orthography and Identity on the Upper Finke River". *Oceania*. **87** (3): 261–281. [doi](/source/Doi_(identifier)):[10.1002/ocea.5169](https://doi.org/10.1002%2Focea.5169).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEKendon198849–50_32-0)** [Kendon 1988](#CITEREFKendon1988), pp. 49–50.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-33)** ["Iltyem-iltyem – Australian Indigenous Sign Languages"](https://www.iltyemiltyem.com/). *www.iltyemiltyem.com*. Retrieved 24 June 2024.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-34)** ["Iltyem-iltyem Indigenous Sign Languages of Central Australia"](https://healthinfonet.ecu.edu.au/key-resources/programs-and-projects/). *Australian Indigenous HealthInfoNet*. Retrieved 24 June 2024.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-35)** ["Central Australian Aboriginal sign language shared in Tasmania"](https://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-04-22/central-australian-aboriginal-sign-language-shared-in-tasmania/9685370). *ABC News*. 22 April 2018. Retrieved 24 June 2024.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTENorthern_Territory_Government,_April_2018_36-0)** [Northern Territory Government, April 2018](#CITEREFNorthern_Territory_Government,_April_2018).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTENorthern_Territory_Government2017_37-0)** [Northern Territory Government 2017](#CITEREFNorthern_Territory_Government2017).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTESchools_38-0)** [Schools](#CITEREFSchools).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEULPA_search_39-0)** [ULPA search](#CITEREFULPA_search).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTELiving_Archive_of_Aboriginal_Languages_40-0)** [Living Archive of Aboriginal Languages](#CITEREFLiving_Archive_of_Aboriginal_Languages).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEPertame_Project_41-0)** [Pertame Project](#CITEREFPertame_Project).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEBreenDobson2005249_42-0)** [Breen & Dobson (2005)](#CITEREFBreenDobson2005), p. 249.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEBreenDobson2005250_43-0)** [Breen & Dobson (2005)](#CITEREFBreenDobson2005), p. 250.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEGreen2005_44-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEGreen2005_44-1) [Green (2005)](#CITEREFGreen2005).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-45)** [Ladefoged, Peter](/source/Peter_Ladefoged); [Maddieson, Ian](/source/Ian_Maddieson) (1996). [*The Sounds of the World's Languages*](/source/The_Sounds_of_the_World's_Languages). Oxford: Blackwell. p. 129. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [0-631-19815-6](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/0-631-19815-6).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-46)** Ladefoged and Maddieson (1996)

1. **[^](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEBreenPensalfini1999_47-0)** [Breen & Pensalfini (1999)](#CITEREFBreenPensalfini1999).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEBreenPensalfini19992–3_48-0)** [Breen & Pensalfini (1999)](#CITEREFBreenPensalfini1999), pp. 2–3.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEGreen200546–47_49-0)** [Green (2005)](#CITEREFGreen2005), pp. 46–47.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEGreen200554_50-0)** [Green (2005)](#CITEREFGreen2005), p. 54.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEGreen200555_51-0)** [Green (2005)](#CITEREFGreen2005), p. 55.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-52)** ["Fact Sheet 3"](https://web.archive.org/web/20090911234635/http://www.usmob.com.au/factsheets/Fact_Sheet_03.pdf) (PDF). Archived from [the original](http://www.usmob.com.au/factsheets/Fact_Sheet_03.pdf) (PDF) on 11 September 2009. Retrieved 13 June 2009. (681 KB)

## Sources

- Breen, Gavan (2000). *Introductory Dictionary of Western Arrernte*. Alice Springs: IAD Press. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [978-0-949659-98-9](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-0-949659-98-9).

- Breen, Gavan (2001). "The wonders of Arandic phonology". In Simpson, Jane; Nash, David; Laughren, Mary; Austin, Peter; Alpher, Barry (eds.). *Forty Years On: Ken Hale and Australian Languages*. Canberra: Pacific Linguistics. pp. 45–69.

- Breen, Gavan; Dobson, Veronica (2005). ["Illustrations of the IPA: Central Arrernte"](https://doi.org/10.1017%2FS0025100305002185). *Journal of the International Phonetic Association*. **35** (2): 249–254. [doi](/source/Doi_(identifier)):[10.1017/S0025100305002185](https://doi.org/10.1017%2FS0025100305002185).

- Breen, Gavan; Pensalfini, Rob (1999). ["Arrernte: A Language with No Syllable Onsets"](http://espace.library.uq.edu.au/view/UQ:209796/UQ209796_OA.pdf) (PDF). *Linguistic Inquiry*. **30** (1): 1–25. [doi](/source/Doi_(identifier)):[10.1162/002438999553940](https://doi.org/10.1162%2F002438999553940). [S2CID](/source/S2CID_(identifier)) [57564955](https://api.semanticscholar.org/CorpusID:57564955).

- [Dixon, R. M. W.](/source/R._M._W._Dixon) (2002). [*Australian Languages: Their Nature and Development*](http://www.cambridge.org/catalogue/catalogue.asp?isbn=0-521-47378-0). Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [978-0-521-47378-1](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-0-521-47378-1).

- Green, Jenny (2005). *A learner's guide to Eastern and Central Arrernte*. Alice Springs: IAD Press. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [978-1-86465-081-5](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-1-86465-081-5).

- Henderson, John (1988). *Topics in Eastern and Central Arrernte grammar*. PhD dissertation. University of Western Australia.

- Henderson, John; Veronica Dobson (1994). *Eastern and Central Arrernte to English Dictionary*. Alice Springs: IAD Press. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [978-0-949659-74-3](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-0-949659-74-3).

- Henderson, John (2003). "The word in Eastern/Central Arrernte". In R. M. W. Dixon; Alexandra Y. Aikhenvald (eds.). *Word: A Cross-Linguistic Typology*. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. pp. 100–124.

- Kendon, Adam (1988). [*Sign Languages of Aboriginal Australia: Cultural, Semiotic and Communicative Perspectives*](https://books.google.com/books?id=YonNUqqnIRkC&pg=PA49). [Cambridge University Press](/source/Cambridge_University_Press). [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [978-0-521-36008-1](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-0-521-36008-1).

- Ladefoged, Peter; Ian Maddieson (1996). *The Sounds of the World's Languages*. Oxford: Blackwell Publishers Ltd. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [978-0-631-19815-4](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-0-631-19815-4).

- ["Lower Arrernte"](https://web.archive.org/web/20180930012019/http://www.mobilelanguageteam.com.au/languages/lower_arrernte). *Mobile Language Team*. Archived from [the original](http://www.mobilelanguageteam.com.au/languages/lower_arrernte) on 30 September 2018. Retrieved 9 June 2019.

- [Mathews, R. H.](/source/R._H._Mathews) (October–December 1907). "The Arran'da Language, Central Australia". *Proceedings of the American Philosophical Society*. **46** (187): 322–339.

- Northern Territory Government. Dept of Education (5 April 2018). ["Indigenous Education Strategy - Issue 17: Keeping Arrernte strong"](https://education.nt.gov.au/education/statistics-research-and-strategies/indigenous-education-strategy/indigenous-education-strategy-issue-17/keeping-arrernte-strong). *NT Government*.

- Northern Territory Government. Dept of Education (2017). ["Guidelines for the implementation of Indigenous languages and cultures programs in schools"](https://education.nt.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0004/471712/indigenous-languages-and-cultures-guidelines.pdf) (PDF). *NT Government*.

- ["Pertame Project"](https://web.archive.org/web/20200401080640/https://call.batchelor.edu.au/project/pertame-southern-arrernte/). *Call for Australian languages and linguistics*. Archived from [the original](https://call.batchelor.edu.au/project/pertame-southern-arrernte/) on 1 April 2020. Retrieved 9 June 2019.

- ["Schools"](https://www.alicespringslanguagecentre.com/schools). *Alice Springs Language Centre*. Retrieved 10 June 2019.

- Strehlow, T. G. H. (1944). *Aranda phonetics and grammar*. Sydney: Oceania Monographs.

- ["To save a dying language"](http://www.alicespringsnews.com.au/2018/05/23/to-save-a-dying-language/). Alice Springs News Online. 23 May 2019. Retrieved 9 June 2019.

- Turpin, Myfany (August 2004). ["Have you ever wondered why Arrernte is spelt the way it is?"](https://www.clc.org.au/index.php?/articles/info/have-you-ever-wondered-why-arrernte-is-spelt-the-way-it-is/). [Central Land Council](/source/Central_Land_Council).

- ["ULPA search"](https://www.ulpa.edu.au/subjects/search_results/?language=Arrernte). *University Languages Portal Australia*.

- ["LAAL"](https://web.archive.org/web/20180314105952/http://laal.cdu.edu.au/). *Living Archive of Aboriginal Languages*. Archived from [the original](http://laal.cdu.edu.au/) on 14 March 2018. Retrieved 8 December 2019.

- Wilkins, David P. (1988). "Switch-reference in Mparntwe Arrernte (Aranda): form, function, and problems of identity". In Austin, P. K. (ed.). *Complex sentence constructions in Australian languages*. Amsterdam: John Benjamins. pp. 141–176.

- Wilkins, David P. (1989). *Mparntwe Arrernte (Aranda): studies in the structure and semantics of grammar*. PhD dissertation, Australian National University.

- Wilkins, David P. (1991). "The semantics, pragmatics and diachronic development of "associated motion" in Mparntwe Arrente". *Buffalo Working Papers in Linguistics*. **91**: 207–257.

- Yallop, C. (1977). [*Alyawarra, an Aboriginal language of central Australia*](https://archive.org/details/alyawarraaborigi0000yall). Canberra: Australian Institute of Aboriginal Studies. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [978-0-85575-062-6](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-0-85575-062-6).

## Further reading

- [Arrernte: Data collected on the Arrernte language](http://www.sorosoro.org/en/arrernte/) (Sorosoro program for linguistic diversity, 2015)

- [Arrernte (Arrernte angkentye)](http://www.omniglot.com/writing/arrernte.htm) (Omniglot.com)

- [Arrernte language](http://aboriginalart.com.au/culture/languages.html) - with map. (Aboriginal Art and Culture, Alice Springs)

- [Gavan Breen Eastern Arrernte collection - written materials](http://catalog.paradisec.org.au/collections/GB38) ([PARADISEC](/source/PARADISEC) open-access collection)

- Green, Jenny (Jennifer Anne); Institute for Aboriginal Development (Alice Springs, N.T.) (1992), *Alyawarr to English dictionary*, Institute for Aboriginal Development, [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [978-0-949659-66-8](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-0-949659-66-8)

- Kimber, Richard (2009). ["Chapter 13. Placenames of central Australia: Early European records and recent experience"](http://press-files.anu.edu.au/downloads/press/p17331/html/ch13.xhtml?referer=81&page=23). In Harold Koch; Luise Hercus (eds.). *Aboriginal Placenames: Naming and re-naming the Australian landscape*. Aboriginal History Monograph. Australian National University. Aboriginal History Incorporated. p. 23. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [9781921666087](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/9781921666087). Retrieved 15 May 2019.

- [Keeping The Aboriginal Language Strong](https://web.archive.org/web/20061205052533/http://bri.net.au/spokenword.html) (The Spoken Word)

- [Published](http://aiatsis.gov.au/sites/default/files/docs/collections/language_bibs/arrernte_aranda_published.pdf) [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20150518092539/http://aiatsis.gov.au/sites/default/files/docs/collections/language_bibs/arrernte_aranda_published.pdf) 18 May 2015 at the [Wayback Machine](/source/Wayback_Machine), [rare items](http://aiatsis.gov.au/sites/default/files/docs/collections/language_bibs/arrernte_aranda_rare.pdf) [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20150518092612/http://aiatsis.gov.au/sites/default/files/docs/collections/language_bibs/arrernte_aranda_rare.pdf) 18 May 2015 at the [Wayback Machine](/source/Wayback_Machine) and [special materials](http://aiatsis.gov.au/sites/default/files/docs/collections/language_bibs/arrernte_aranda_special.pdf) [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20150518092557/http://aiatsis.gov.au/sites/default/files/docs/collections/language_bibs/arrernte_aranda_special.pdf) 18 May 2015 at the [Wayback Machine](/source/Wayback_Machine) on Arrernte language and people: bibliographies of items held in the [AIATSIS](/source/Australian_Institute_of_Aboriginal_and_Torres_Strait_Islander_Studies) library

- Roennfeldt, David. ["Western Arrarnta picture dictionary"](https://trove.nla.gov.au/version/44950969). *Trove*. Compiled by David Roennfeldt with members of the communities of Ntaria, Ipolera, Gilbert Springs, Kulpitarra, Undarana, Red Sand Hill, Old Station and other outstations. - Version details.

v t e Languages of Australia English varieties Australian Western Australian South Australian Australian Aboriginal Torres Strait Major Indigenous languages Anindilyakwa Arrernte Burarra Kalaw Lagaw Ya Murrinh Patha Tiwi Walmajarri Warlpiri Warumungu Western Desert Luritja Pintupi Pitjantjatjara Yolŋu Matha Dhuwal Djambarrpuyngu Language families Bunuban Daly (5 families) Darwin Region? (3 families/isolates) Garrwan Giimbiyu Iwaidjan Jarrakan Macro-Gunwinyguan? (5-6 families/isolates) Marrku–Wurrugu? Mirndi Nyulnyulan Pama–Nyungan Tangkic Tasmanian (4 families?) Tiwi Worrorran Yangmanic (incl. Wagiman)? Pidgins, creoles and mixed languages Angloromani Bass Strait Pidgin Broome Pearling Lugger Pidgin Cocos Malay Gurindji Kriol Kriol Light Warlpiri Norfuk Port Jackson Pidgin English Queensland Kanaka English South Australian Pidgin English Torres Strait Creole Major immigrant languages Arabic Chinese Cantonese Mandarin Greek Hindi Italian Korean Maltese Nepali Punjabi Spanish Tagalog Urdu Vietnamese Major foreign languages Arabic Chinese French German Greek Indonesian Italian Japanese Spanish Sign languages Auslan Australian Aboriginal Indigenous Sign Language Australian Irish Sign Language Aboriginal Australians Indigenous Australians

v t e Pama–Nyungan languages Paman languages North Adithinngithigh Andjingith Anguthimri Alngith Linnithigh Mpakwithi Ndra'ngith Arritinngithigh Awngthim Luthigh Mpalitjanh Mbiywom Ndrangith Ndwa'ngith Ngkoth Unjadi Uradhi Atampaya Yinwum Wudhadhi Yadhaykenu Angkamuthi Northeast Umpila Wik Ayabadhu Kugu-Muminh Pakanha Wik-Me'nh Wik-Mungkan Wik-Ngathan Wik-Ompom Lamalamic Lamalama Morrobolam Yalanjic Barrow Point Gugu Yalandyi Kuku Nyungkal Guugu Yimidhirr Southwest Koko-Bera Kok Thawa Kunjen Ogh-Undjan Kuuk Thaayorre Kuuk Yak Yir-Yoront Norman Kurtjar Kuthant Thaypan Alungul Angkula Aghu Tharrnggala Ikarranggal Takalak Thaypan Southern Mbara-Yanga Mbabaram Walangama Wamin Other Djabugay Flinders Island Gugadj Kok Narr Mbariman-Gudhinma Umbindhamu Eastern Pama–Nyungan Dyirbalic Dyirbal Nyawaygi Warrgamay Wulguru Yuru Maric Badjiri Bidjara Biri Biri proper Kingkel Bayali Darumbal Warrongo Yanda–Guwa ? Yirandhali ? Waka–Kabic Barunggam Gabi-Gabi Gureng Gureng Tulua Wakawaka Wuliwuli Durubalic Guwar–Pimpama Janday Nunukul Turrbal Gumbaynggiric Kumbainggar Yaygir Wiradhuric Gamilaraay Ngiyambaa Wiradjuri Yuin–Kuric Darkinjung Dharug Dhanggati Ngarigo Ngunnawal–Gundungurra Tharawal Dharawal Dhurga Dyirringany Thawa Yugambal? Marbal Worimi Awabakal Gathang Gippsland Dhudhuroa Gunaikurnai Bidhawal Pallanganmiddang Yugambeh–Bandjalang Waalubal Yugambeh Githabul Bundjalung Other Anewan Kalaw Lagaw Ya Yidiny Bigambul Guyambal Lower Burdekin Bindal Southern Pama–Nyungan Yotayotic Yabula-Yabula Yorta Yorta Kulinic Kolakngat Kulin Dja Dja Wurrung Wathaurong Western Victoria Wemba Wemba Barababaraba Ledji-Ledji Madhi-Madhi Nari-Nari Wadi-Wadi Wergaia Woiwurrung–Taungurung–Bunurong Bindjali Drual Bungandidj Dhauwurd Wurrung Kuurn Kopan Noot Lower Murray Keramin Ngayawung Yaralde Yitha-Yitha Yuyu Thura-Yura Adnyamathanha Barngarla Kaurna Kuyani Narungga Nauo Ngadjuri Nukunu Wirangu Mirniny Mirning Ngadjunmaya Nyungic Galaagu Kalaamaya Natingero Nyungar Western Pama–Nyungan Kartu Badimaya Malgana Thaagurda Nhanda–Nhanhagardi Wajarri Yinggarda Kanyara–Mantharta Kanyara Burduna–Bayungu Thalanyji–Pinikura Mantharta Tharrgari Warriyangka Thiin Jiwarli Ngayarta Jurruru Kurrama Martuthunira Ngarla Ngarluma-Kariyarra Nhuwala Nyamal Nyiyaparli Panyjima Yindjibarndi Yinhawangka Marrngu Karajarri Mangala Nyangumarta Northern Pama–Nyungan Ngumpin–Yapa Ngarrga Warlmanpa Warlpiri Ngumpin Walmajarri Djaru Gurindji Bilinarra Mudburra Warumungu Warumungu Warluwaric Wagaya Bularnu Yindjilandji Warluwarra Yanyuwa Kalkatungic Kalkatungu Yalarnnga Mayi Mayi-Kulan Mayi-Kutuna Ngawun Yolŋu Dhaŋu Dhuwal Djaŋu Djinba Djinaŋ Ritharrŋu Nhaŋu Central Pama–Nyungan Wati Ngardi Wanman Western Desert Arandic Arrernte Kaytetye Lower Arrernte Pertame Karnic Arabana Diyari Pirlatapa Mithaka Ngamini Yarluyandi Ngura Pitta Pitta Wanggamala Wangka-Yutjurru Wilson River Bundhamara new Wangkumara/Garlali Yandruwandha Other Baagandji Bulloo River old Wangkumara/Garlali Muruwari Barranbinja Yarli Macro-Pama–Nyungan? Macro-Gunwinyguan Maningrida Burarra Ndjébbana Gurr-goni Nakkara Mangarrayi-Marran Alawa Mangarrayi Marra Warndarrang Yugul Gunwinyguan Anindilyakwa Dalabon Gunbarlang Jawoyn Kunwinjku Ngalakgan Ngandi Nunggubuyu Rembarrnga Uwinymil Waray Other Gaagudju Kungarakany Wardaman Wagiman Tangkic Kayardild Lardil Minkin Gangalidda (Yukulta) Yangkaal Garrwan Garrwa Gunindiri Waanyi Italics indicate extinct languages

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Arrernte language](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arrernte_language) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arrernte_language?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.