Ngaanyatjarra Picture Dictionary Launch

Linguist Kazuko Obata and literacy consultant Inge Kral worked closely with Ngaanyatjarra speakers to produce this literary resource based on aspects of the Ngaanyatjarra culture.

'We feel proud to still hold on to our grandfathers' and grandmothers' country. This dictionary is for people, young people, and the young generation to learn our language, and also for children to rise up and learn our language so that they will keep holding our language and will not forget it,' says Dorothy Ward, one of the Ngaanyatjarra contributors to the picture dictionary.

There are around 11 communities who still speak the Ngaanyatjarra dialect in the Central Desert region of Western Australia called the 'Ngaanyatjarra Lands.' This publication will be a valuable resource for Ngaanyatjarra school children adult literacy learners and their teachers.

The Ngaanyatjarra Picture Dictionary will be launched by Mr Barry Haase MP at the Tjulyuru Cultural and Civic Centre, Warburton Community, Western Australia at 4.00 p.m. on Tuesday 19th April 2005.