When I return to Kupa Piti in April 2002 I begin to learn a few words in language. Most of the time I am learning words in Yankunytjatjara, but sometimes someone will tell you a word in Pitjantjara. I have no sense of the grammatical structure of the language but I have read that it is complex, and I am still struggling with my Italian learning (mainly through avoiding it these days). But anyway, it's great to know a few key words, and to begin to recognise them in conversations. All the kids here are at least bi-lingual, some having a third language also. In Adelaide I have met a number of Aboriginal people mainly from up north who are fluent in 3 or 4 Aboriginal languages as well as English. They tell me that they have learnt the languages of their mother and their father (who would often come from different language groups), and then go on to learn the language of their wife or husband, and possibly yet another language of one of the parents of their spouse. I feel linguistically diminished in their company! | ||