LANGUAGE

English is a second language for almost all-Aboriginal residents, Manjiljarra is one of the languages now known as Martu Wangka - Kartujarra, Manyijlyjara, Putijarra and Warnman are other dominant Martu dialects.

The term means 'Aboriginal language', and can apply to speakers of a number of languages who call themselves Martu, with the language having more than 650 speakers at Punmu, Parnngurr, Jigalong and Port Hedland as well as other towns on the desert fringes. Punmu, Jigalong and Strelley schools have had bilingual programmes running at various times.

A great deal of written material has been produced at Jigalong, the Strelley schools and Punmu. Parts of the Old and New Testament, childrens story books, dictionaries and adult literature have been produced.