Writing System: Arrernte, an Aboriginal Australian language, traditionally uses a Latin-based orthography adapted by linguists to accurately represent its phonetics. This writing system includes diacritics and digraphs to denote unique sounds specific to Arrernte phonology.
Grammar: Arrernte grammar exhibits complex inflectional systems with suffixes indicating case, tense, and number for nouns, adjectives, and verbs. It follows an ergative-absolutive pattern and employs extensive kinship and ceremonial terminology.
Phonology: Arrernte phonology features consonants such as /p, t, k, c, b, d, ɡ, ŋ, m, n, ŋ, r, l, j/ and vowels /a, e, i, o, u/. It includes phonological characteristics like retroflex consonants and unique vowel articulations.
Lexicon: The Arrernte lexicon primarily comprises indigenous Australian words with borrowings from neighboring Aboriginal languages and, more recently, from English. It reflects the cultural practices, environment, and spiritual beliefs of the Arrernte people.
Endangered Voices Initiative 