Pitjantjatjara and interpreting
Pitjantjatjara is spoken in north-west South Australia, including the APY Lands, as well as in the south-west of the Northern Territory and parts of Western Australia. The South Australian Government says almost 90% of the APY population speaks Pitjantjatjara or Yankunytjatjara.
Pitjantjatjara and interpreting
Pitjantjatjara is spoken in north-west South Australia, including the APY Lands, as well as in the south-west of the Northern Territory and parts of Western Australia. The South Australian Government says almost 90% of the APY population speaks Pitjantjatjara or Yankunytjatjara.
The NDIS names the Northern Territory Aboriginal Interpreter Service for Northern Territory Aboriginal languages. It covers Northern Territory languages only, so for a person in South Australia or Western Australia ask the NDIA, a support coordinator or a local Aboriginal community-controlled organisation which interpreting is available.
What to confirm
- Confirm whether the person speaks Pitjantjatjara, Yankunytjatjara or both, and which communities they are connected with.
- Ask for an interpreter for meetings about plans, service agreements and health.
- Ask the provider how it will arrange the interpreter where the person lives, and who pays.
- Allow time for travel and for remote communication, such as phone or video, if the person is in a remote community.
Do not assume a family member should interpret for sensitive matters.
Official information
- South Australian Government: the APY community
- Northern Territory Aboriginal Interpreter Service
- NDIS: how providers access interpreting services for participants
Providers that list Pitjantjatjara
No SolDirectory member provider lists Pitjantjatjara at the moment. Providers supply their own language information, so confirm the specific worker, fluency, dialect, communication method and availability directly.
Questions to ask before support begins
- Ask whether the allocated worker communicates in Pitjantjatjara, rather than relying on the organisation having one multilingual staff member.
- Confirm spoken, signed, written and Easy Read needs separately, including preferred dialect, terminology and communication aids.
- Ask when a qualified independent interpreter will be used and who books and pays for that service.
- Check current availability, qualifications, worker screening, fees, funding, privacy and the written service agreement.
How bilingual support, interpreters, privacy and funding differ is explained on the language support guide.
Frequently asked questions about Pitjantjatjara
Does a listing prove that every worker speaks or uses Pitjantjatjara?
No. Providers supply their own language information. Confirm the specific worker, fluency, dialect and communication method before support begins.
Is a bilingual worker the same as an accredited interpreter?
No. A bilingual worker may communicate directly during support, while an accredited interpreter has a separate interpreting role. Ask what is appropriate for important, technical or consent-related discussions.
Official sources
- NDIS information in other languages
- TIS National: interpreting services (call 131 450)
- NAATI practitioner directory
- NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission
Browse other language and communication guides
Helpful reading
- Registered or unregistered? What it means when you choose an NDIS provider: Registered and unregistered providers can both be legitimate, but the rules, checks and options for your plan are not the same. Here is how to think about the difference.
- Making a complaint about an NDIS provider or worker: where to start: Raising a concern can feel daunting. Here is a clear order of steps, who deals with what, and how to keep a record as you go.
- How to choose an NDIS provider: 12 questions to ask before you commit: A practical checklist for comparing providers, from how a service fits your plan to what happens when something goes wrong.