Language Group
Pintupi-Luritja Language Group
Preserving Culture & Sharing Knowledge
The Pintupi-Luritja language group, made up of Purple House dialysis patients and Directors, meets regularly to create culturally relevant resources that keep their communities informed and empowered.
Through their work, the Pintupi-Luritja Language Group is not only keeping their language strong but also ensuring their communities stay safe, informed, and connected to culture.
- Developed the First Pintupi-Luritja Translator – This groundbreaking tool helps bridge communication gaps and preserve language for future generations.
- Creating Animated Videos – The group writes and voices scripts for animations that address community concerns, health topics, and important cultural knowledge.
- Amplifying Community Voices – By using their own voices in these projects, members take pride in educating and protecting their people through accessible, in-language content.
Wangka Kutju – The Pintupi-Luritja Translator
In 2018 at a Purple House General Meeting, Brendan Kavanagh from Highway Learning presented a prototype for a Pintupi-Luritja language translator. Our Directors saw the potential for it to improve communication, promote their language and create employment opportunities for dialysis patients.
Improving Language Understanding in Healthcare
In 2019, the United Nations General Assembly declared the International Year of Indigenous Languages, recognising the vital role language plays in preserving history, customs, traditions, and cultural identity. Inspired by this, Purple House language group and community members collaborated with software developers to bring the Wangka Kutju Translator to life.
What is Wangka Kutju?
Launched in 2020, Wangka Kutju—meaning “One Voice”—is the first-ever real-time English–Pintupi-Luritja translator with text-to-speech capabilities. It allows users to:
- Translate full sentences instantly – Unlike basic word-to-word translation, Wangka Kutju processes entire sentences for greater accuracy.
- Read the weather in language – Users can check the weather in Kintore, Papunya, or Alice Springs in Pintupi-Luritja.
- Improve cross-cultural communication – The translator enhances dialogue between dialysis patients, healthcare workers, and community members, improving care and patient experience.
Acknowledging Our Community & Supporters
We thank the Elders and Traditional Owners of the Western Desert region who endorsed this project and informed the language content.
We thank the Department of Communications and the Arts for providing funding for the project and to the National Indigenous Australians Agency for assisting with further development.
Wangka Kutju is more than a translator – it’s a step toward language preservation, improves cross-cultural understanding and enables better healthcare for our people.
Download from the app store
Search Wangka Kutju on the app store to download it today!
Contact enquiries@purplehouse.org.au if you would like to find out more.
Resources Developed by the Language Group
Phosphate Story
Nganampa kurrunpa wanka kanyintjaku tjutalu – Keeping our spirit alive and strong
The Phosphate Story video is a resource for dialysis patients to provide information on how phosphate can affect their body, what phosphate binders do and why it is important to take them.
The development of this resource was by request of the Central Australia Renal Voice (the consumer group for dialysis patients and their families in Central Australia), who identified that they didn’t always know what their tablets were for and that they would like to understand their medicines better.
The video is available in Pintupi, Walpiri, Ngaanyatjarra and English and acknowledges the importance of family and culture alongside things like dialysis, diet and medicines in keeping well.
Strong Spirit
Developed for Purple House to assist new starters find ways to keep their spirit strong while navigating their renal journey. Animation by Browndog Video Production.
Power Story
Discusses housing issues in the Northern Territory and how it influences power consumption. Made in collaboration with Highway Learning.
Join the Board
Developed for Purple House to encourage people to join the Board of Directors. Made in collaboration with Highway Learning
One Last Look
A video discussing dignity of risk. Made in collaboration with Highway Learning.
Aged Care Tjukarurru – Aged Care the Proper Way
A video explaining the basics of the Aged Care Quality Standards. Made in collaboration with Highway Learning.
Yuwa Wangkantjaku! – Voice Story
A short story explaining the Voice referendum. Made in collaboration with Highway Learning.
Climate Change Story
Developed for the Indigenous Desert Alliance to teach about global warming. Made in collaboration with Highway Learning.
Seatbelt Story
A seatbelt safety message. Made in collaboration with Highway Learning.
Code of Conduct
A video discussing the NDIS Code of Conduct. Made in collaboration with Highway Learning.
COVID-19 Story
When COVID-19 hit, the Purple House knew its patients would be some of the most vulnerable and that getting the right information out to community was critical. Made in collaboration with Highway Learning.
A year later and a vaccine was available … so we needed to make sure people weren’t worried about getting the needle to protect them and their families. Made in collaboration with Highway Learning.