Cundeelee Wangka is a language of Western Australian eastern Goldfields region, east from the town of Kalgoorlie. There are many fluent speakers of the language, but many more people have a partial or passive understanding of the language, or who identify as being of Cundeelee Wangka descent. 

Cundeelee Wangka is a Pama-Nyungan language of the South-West group Ngayarta family. It is a dialect of the Wati family of Western Desert Language along with 40 or so other languages and/or dialects. Currently there is no AUSTLANG coding for the language. The language was spoken at Cundeelee Mission and became a homogenising sub-dialect of probably four other languages. Speakers have described the language as ‘southern Pitjantjantjarra’. It is a dialect of this language and an Aboriginal creole developed through the mission contact years. 

Cundeelee Wangka is spoken by people in the locations of Wiluna, Warburton Ranges, Ernabella, Oldea, Yalata, Coonana, Tjuntjuntjarra and Kalgoorlie. There are thought to be a number of dialects of the language, but this needs further research to identify the locations, dialectical differences and features. It may not be possible any more to identify these dialects due to the homogenising process.

Cundeelee Wangka Resources

Dictionary 

The Cundeelee Wangka Dictionary is available at the Goldfields Aboriginal Language Centre. This beautifully printed book can be purchased in the online shop or by visiting the Language Centre in Boulder, WA.

The dictionary is also available at the WA State Library, the National Library and AIATSIS.

Alphabet Chart 

A free downloadable alphabet chart is here. 

Printed alphabet charts on non-rip paper are available at GALCAC for $40 each and through the online shop. Excellent for classrooms or children’s rooms, these charts can we wiped and are very strong. 

Syllable Chart 

A free downloadable syllables chart is here. 

Use this chart to learn how to write Cundeelee Wangka words. 

Printed syllable charts on non-rip paper are available at GALCAC for $40 each. Excellent for classrooms or children’s rooms, these charts can we wiped and are very strong. 

Body Parts Chart 

A downloadable body parts chart is available here. 

This chart is also available in GALCAC’s online shop and language centre in a beautiful non-rip poster, later in 2020 for $40. Excellent for schools, home, clinics, offices and women’s centres!

100 Words in Cundeelee Wangka Poster

An A0 sized Cundeelee Wangka poster is available from the GALCAC online shop for $15.00 with an associated USB of audios $15. A great poster for the classroom, work or home to learn a few key words in the language. 

A poster is available for all other Goldfields languages. Check them out in the online shop.