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Lesson 3 of 10
Yes, no and the essentials in Pitjantjatjara
The small words that carry half of every conversation, and the ones that rescue it. Play the ten Pitjantjatjara words against the clock, with a note on how locals really use each one after every answer. All ten are written out below.
All 10 Pitjantjatjara phrases in this lesson
- UwaU-wa
- Yes
- WiyaWI-ya
- No
- Okayoh-KAY
- Okay
- Ngayulu puṯu kuliniNGA-yu-lu PU-tu KU-li-ni
- I don't understand
- Do you speak English?doo yoo speek ING-glish
- Do you speak English?
- Can you repeat that?kan yoo re-PEET that
- Can you repeat that?
- Slowly, pleaseSLOH-lee pleez
- Slowly, please
- Nyaa nyanga?NYAH NYA-nga
- What is this?
- I need...ai NEED
- I need...
- Can you help me?kan yoo HELP mee
- Can you help me?
The everyday yes. A raised eyebrow or a quiet uwa both count.
Wiya also means none or not, and it negates a sentence when it comes at the end.
Used by everyone, mixed into Pitjantjatjara sentences.
Kulini means to hear, listen, understand and think, all in one verb. Puṯu, meaning in vain, makes it "I try but can’t make it out".
Most Anangu speak English as a second or third language.
Said in English.
Said in English.
Literally "what this?".
Said in English.
Said in English.