Index compiled with data collected by AUSTLANG

Data on the language

Alternatives names: Kaytej, Kaititja, Gaididj, Kaiditj, Kaititj, Kaitije, Kaitiji, Kaitish.

For additional names and alternative spellings, see the AUSTLANG website.

Classification: Pama-Nyungan language family, Arandic group, Kaytetye subgroup

Kaytetye is different from other Arandic languages, and it forms a sub-group of its own within the Arandic group (see Koch 2004).

Area:

Kaytetye is an indigenous Australian language spoken in the Northern Territory (NT) of Australia, approximately 300 kilometers to the North of Alice Springs.

The Kaytetye area’s Southern borders reach Striling Station, and its Northern border reaches the Devil’s Marbles (Karlwe-karlwe). Kaytetye is spoken mainly within the communities of Artarre (Neutral Junction), Ilewarr (Stirling), Alekarenge (Ali Curung), Ankweleyelengkwe outstation, Barrow Creek and Mwengkart (McLaren Creek). Speakers of Kaytetye can also be found in the neighbouring communities of Tennant Creek and Alice Springs. (Turpin 2000:2). According to Koch (2008), Kaytetye is spoken in the West up to Hanson River, in the East up to Davenport Range, in the south up to Stirling Swamp, and in the North up to the Devil’s Marbles.

Number of speakers :

The National Indigenous Language Survey (NILS) estimated 200 speakers in 2004. The most recent survey of Kaytetye speakers by the Australian Bureau of Statistics 2006 Census estimated 145 speakers.

Language vitality & transmission :

On a scale of 0 to 5, the National Indigenous Language Survey (NILS) classifies Kaytetye as a level 2 language, i.e. severely endangered.

Media:

3 volumes of ‘A Kaytetye Language Resource’ video tapes are available from Warlpiri Media Association (produced in 2001).

Sources and bibliography

Koch, Harold. 1988. Machine readable files of “Kaytetye Texts” and “Kaytetye Dictionary”, ASEDA 0020.

Turpin, Myfany, 2000. A learner’s guide to Kaytetye. Alice Springs: IAD Press.

Turpin, Amyfany and Ross, Alison. 2004. Kaytetye picture dictionary. Alice Springs: IAD Press.

Maps

Institute for Aboriginal Development Incorporated. 2002. Central Australian Aboriginal languages – current distribution (map). Alice Springs: IAD Press.

Tindale, Norman. 1974. Tribal Boundaries in Aboriginal Australia. Canberra: Division of National Mapping, Department of National Development.

Turpin, Myfany. 2000. A learner’s guide to Kaytetye. Alice Springs: IAD Press.

Links

AUSTLANG webpage: http://austlang.aiatsis.gov.au/main.php

Ethnologue webpage: http://www.ethnologue.com/show_language.asp?code=gbb

Papulu Apparr-Kari Language Centre website: http://www.aboriginalexperience.com.au/organisations/org_language_centre.html

Warlpiri Media Association website: http://www.warlpiri.com.au/