The Kaurna Alphabet

This interactive page is based on the Kaurna Alphabet Poster

Click on the boxes to hear the sounds and words spoken by Kaurna community members Taylor and Jaylon and practise your pronunciation by repeating them. For more information about sounds and spellings in Kaurna Warra, be sure to visit the Spelling and Pronunciation page.

 

Kulurdurna Kaurna Warraku

Sounds of the Kaurna Language

 
a - Like 'a' in papa
tapa 'road'
aa - Like 'a' in father
taa 'mouth'
ai - Like 'ie' in pie
ngaityai 'my mother'
au - Like 'ow' in power
kauwi 'water'
dl - Like 'dl' in sadly
midla 'woomera'
dlh - Like 'dl' with tongue between the teeth
mudlha 'nose'
dly - Like 't'll-y' in what'll you
kudlyu 'black swan'
dn - Like 'dn' in sadness
wadna 'boomerang'
i - Like 'i' in pit
ipiti 'shower'
ii - Like 'ea' in tea
miina 'eye'
k - Like 'k' in kite
kadli 'dingo'
l - Like 'l' in lip
kampalampala 'cook/baker'
lh - Like 'l' in filth
naalha 'echidna'
ly - Like 'll-y' in will-you
pilyapilya 'butterfly'
m - Like 'm' in map
miimaki 'glasses'
n - Like 'n' in not
tuntanta 'heel'
ng - Like 'ng' in sing
ngungana 'kookaburra'
nh - Like 'n' in tenth
nuunthi 'pointing'
ny - Like 'n' in onion
kanya 'money'
p - Like 'p' in paper
piipa 'book'
r - Like 'r' in roaring
pirira 'cabbage'
rd - Like 'tt' in butter if said quickly
kardi 'emu'
rdn - Like 'dn' with the tongue curled back
wardni 'fell'
rdl - Like 'dl' with the tongue curled back
wardli 'house'
rl - Like 'l' with the tongue curled back
murlapaka 'shield'
rn - Like 'n' with the tongue curled back
mirnu 'wattle'
rr - Like a Italian rolled 'rr' in Ferrari
kurraka 'magpie'
rt - Like 't' with the tongue curled back
wartu 'wombat'
t - Like 't' in tent
kunturu katiti 'umbrella'
th - Like 'd' in width
tutha 'grass'
ty - Like 'tch' in butcher
wityu 'needle'
u - Like 'u' in put
kuru 'kettle'
ui - A bit like 'oy' in toy
puiyu 'smoke'
uu - A bit like 'oo' in cooler
kuula 'koala'
w - Like 'w' in water
wauwa 'beach'
y - Like 'y' in yes
yamayama 'teacher'