The most striking thing about Light Warlpiri is an innovative auxiliary system, which draws on Warlpiri, and varieties of English or Kriol.
The auxiliary word shapes are derived from English and Kriol. The meanings and structure have changed, so that the structure of the auxiliary paradigm is not the same as that in any of the source languages. The source languages all have a past vs nonpast distinction, but Light Warlpiri has formal temporal categories of future and nonfuture, and also a formal category of 'want to'.
Some verbs also show innovations, by combining Warlpiri stems with Aboringinal English or Kriol transitive affixes.
In the examples, words in this color are from Warlpiri, and those in this color are from English or Kriol. This color is for the innovative auxiliary system and verbal structure.
Examples:
De-m run back rarralykaji-kirra jarntu an yapa-wat ngapa-kujaku.
'The dog and the people run back to the car to get out of the rain.'
Kalanjirri wi-m faind-im wita-pawu. (C04_7)
'We found a lizard, a little one!'
Yu-m winjirn-im hap one kuja-ng. (C03_17)
'You spilled half of it, like that.'
Tu karnta-ng dei cheis-ing it dat kuuku jarntu-kurl. (Erg_LA26)
'Two women are chasing the monster, who has the dog.'
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The role of children in nativizing and developing Light Warlpiri, and their acquisition of both Light Warlpiri, and Warlpiri, are particularly interesting.
Young adults and children in Lajamanu are multilingual, as they speak Warlpiri, Light Warlpiri and varieties of English and Kriol.
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Email: carmelos at umich.edu
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