Yamaji Yarning

Wadjarri words and pronunciation guide

Of the seven language groups in the Yamaji region, Wadjarri is the most common. Here are some Wadjarri words for you to practice.

Wadjarri Words

(Catholic Education Office of Western Australia, 2000)

*some words have spelling variations not listed her

Wadjarri pronunciation guide*

(emphasis placed on the first syllable)

consonants
b	between English ‘b’ and ‘p’ as in ‘spa’	e.g. baba
d	between English ‘d’ and ‘t’ as in ‘stay’	e.g. winda, marda
rd	as in American English ‘r’ as in ‘bird’	e.g. marda
g	between English ‘g’ and ‘k’ as in ‘score’	e.g. guru, garla
j	as in ‘jingle’	e.g. jina
ly	as in ‘billion’ (never like ‘Billy’)	e.g. mulya
rl	as in American English ‘r’ as in ‘curl’	e.g. gurlga, marlu, burlga
m	as in ‘monkey’	e.g. maga
ng	as in ‘singing’ (never like ‘finger’)	e.g. garangu
ny	as in ‘onion’ (never like ‘any’)	e.g. nyarlu
r	as in ‘orange’	e.g. mara
rr	between English ‘rt’ and ‘d’ as in ‘word’	e.g. yalibirri, warri, irra
th	as in ‘width’ (never like ‘finger’)	e.g. duthu
w	as in ‘owe’	e.g. guwiyarl
y	short sound as in ‘papa’	e.g. baba
vowels
a	short sound as in ‘papa’	e.g. baba
i	short sound as in ‘bit’	e.g. irra
u	short sound as in ‘put’ (never like ‘bun&rrsquo;)	e.g. guru