Uti Kulintjaku
‘To think and understand clearly’ (Pitjantjatjara)
A compendium of words for talking about mental health
Uti Kulintjaku is a project of NPY Women’s Council’s Ngangkari Program
in partnership with the Central Australia Mental Health Service
Uti Kulintjaku: A compendium of words for talking about mental health
1
Contributors:
Maureen Baker
Yanyi Bandicha
Lyn Byers
Judy Brumby
Maringka Burton
Nyunmiti Burton
Maimie Butler
Mark Butler
Milyka (Alison) Carroll
Margaret Dagg
Clem Dalby
Lizzie Ellis
Valerie Foster
Patrick Hookey
Imuna Kenta
Rene Kulitja
Pantjiti Lewis
Angela Lynch
Mildred Lyons
Helen Martin
Pantjiti McKenzie
Anawari Mitchell
Uti Kulintjaku: A compendium of words for talking about mental health
Theresa Nipper
Linda Rive
Dr Craig San Roque
Margaret Smith
Dr Marcus Tabart
Emma Trenorden
Penny Watson
2
Uti Kulintjaku: a mental health literacy project
‘Uti Kulintjaku’ means ‘to think and understand clearly’ in Pitjantjatjara. The Uti Kulintjaku team includes Senior Anangu Consultants and Mental Health
Professionals who have been participating in a series of workshops around mental health. The aim is that by participating in these workshops together,
Anangu and mental health professionals can develop a shared understanding and language for talking about mental health. Furthermore, this shared
knowledge and language will be shared with others through a series of resources that will go out to mental health professionals and Anangu in the remote
communities that NPY Women’s Council services.
Who are we?
Senior Anangu Consultants
Anawari Mitchell, Helen Martin, Imuna Kenta, Ilawanti Ken, Judy Brumby, Mamie Butler, Margaret Smith, Maringka Burton, Milyka Carroll, Nyunmiti
Burton, Pantjiti Lewis, Pantjiti McKenzie, Rene Kulitja, Theresa Nipper, Tinpulya Mervyn, and Valerie Foster.
Mental Health Professionals
Lyn Byers – Nurse Practitioner, Aputula Primary Health Centre Manager
Dr Craig San Roque – Consulting Psychologist, Mark Sheldon Remote Mental Health Team
Dr Marcus Tabart – Clinical Director, Central Australian Mental Health Services
Project Support Staff
Linda Rive – Interpreter
Samantha Togni – Evaluation Consultant
Emma Trenorden – Uti Kulintaku Project Officer, NPY Women’s Council
Angela Lynch – Ngangkari Coordinator, NPY Women’s Council
For more information
Contact Emma Trenorden or Angela Lynch at NPY Women’s Council
T: (08) 8958 2345
E: [email protected]
W: www.npywc.org.au/ngangkari
Uti Kulintjaku: A compendium of words for talking about mental health
3
Our word list has many different words to describe people’s mental and emotional states as well as their behaviour. Words are written in
Pitjantjatjara/Yankunytjara and Ngaanyatjarra with a brief description of the meaning in English. Sometimes words can have different, multiple meanings so
we recommend you cross-check with the relevant language dictionary.
To make it easier to find what you need, we have grouped words in the following ways:
1. Describing emotions and behaviours
1.1. Happiness, health, caring
1.2. Sadness, disengagement
1.3. Anger
1.4. Fear, worry, depression
1.5. Mixed-up thinking
1.6. English words adapted
p.5
p.7
p.9
p.10
p.12
p.14
2. Mental health treatment concepts
2.1. Treatment and assessment
2.2. Predisposing factors
2.3. Precipitating factors
2.4. Perpetuating factors
2.5. Protective factors
2.6. Personality types
2.7. Biological, Psychological, and Social factors
2.8. Questions useful in assessment
p.15
p.19
p.20
p.22
p.23
p.24
p.27
p.28
3. Statements to get help
p.30
**This document is a work in progress. For any feedback please email [email protected]
Uti Kulintjaku: A compendium of words for talking about mental health
4
1.1 Happiness, health, caring
Pitjantjatjara/Yankunytjara
Ikari-ikari
Ilpilypa
Kalypa
Kanany-kananypa
Kulintja palya tjukaruru
Ngaanyatjarra
Yikari-yikari
Yipilpa
Kalypa
Karnany-karnanypa
Kurlira tjukarrulu palyalpayi
Kulintja wiru
Kurunpa mulamula
--Kuun-kuunpa
Malaku palyaringkupai
Ma-palyaringu
Malaku pukularipai
Kulintja walykumunu
Kurunpa murla-murla
Kutjupa-kutjupa pukurrltu palyalpayi
Kuurn-kuurnpa
Marlaku palyarringkupayi
Walykunurringu
Marlaku palyaringkupai
Mapalyaringu
Mama, ngunytju, kaparli, tjamu, kurntili, kamuru,
kuta, tjurtu, marlanypa wangka kurlilpayi
Mama, ngunytju, kami, tjamu kuta, kangkuru
munu malanypa wangka kulilpai
Miraly-miralypa
Mukulya
Ngaltunytju
Ngayuku nguyurpa palyaringu
Palyaringkula malaku ipilyaripai
Pilunpa;
Kanmarpa
Pukul-pukulpa
Pukulpa
Mirrarl-mirrarlpa
Mukulya, murkulanytju
Ngarltunytju
Ngayuku wuyurrpa walykumunu ngarala
Marla-ku palyaringkupayi
Palyarringkula nyinapayi
Karnunypa
Karnmarrpa nyinapayi
Purkul-purkulpa
Pukurlpa
Yungaralu walykumunu kulira
Pukurlpa palya walykumunu
Uti Kulintjaku: A compendium of words for talking about mental health
English
Full of laughter, giggling, bubbly
In good health, feeling good, good mood, happy
Reconciled (after a fight), forgiving, kind
Proud, full of pride, confident
Purposefully doing things in the right way with
good intentions
Thinking of good things
Confident
Doing lots of things well
Calm
Recovery
Recovering, returning to happiness
Cooperative and always listens to family (their
father, mother, grandmother, grandfather, auntie,
uncle, big brother, big sister, and younger siblings)
Ecstatic. Can mean arrogant, proud, boastful.
Loving and caring, kind, fond of
Sympathetic, caring
I am feeling much better
Recovering
Quiet, peaceful, calm, content, self-organised
Optimistic
Feeling happy, content, satisfied
5
Pukulpa mulapa
Pukulpa tjungu nyinanytja families
Pukulpa wangkanyi
Sport inkanytja tjungu
Rapa-rapa
Tjanyalpa
Ungkunyangka pukularipai
Unngu kakulyarani
Waakarinyi kulintja wiru ngarala
Waltjangku palya kulilpai (kulini)
Walytjapiti ngurkantananyi
Wanganara
Pukurlpa purlka mularpa
Ngarlpupula
Pukurlpa nyinama
Yarnangu kutjupangka lurrtjurringkupayi
Really happy, full of energy
Wangkarra yikaringkula nyinapayi
Purkulpa
Ngarlpurrpula
Rapa-rapa
Tjanyarlpa
Yungkunyangka pukularripayi
Sociable, talking, friendly, laughing, engaged,
playing sport, active
Pukurlpa waakarringkulpayi
Warrka-wanu puru kuulta
Yungaralu palya kulira
Walykumunu kulira nyinapayi
Yungarra-pirti ngurrkarntankupayi
Wangarnarra
Uti Kulintjaku: A compendium of words for talking about mental health
Engaging happily with extended family
Brave, strong, confident
Feeling good, bright and alert
Appreciative, grateful
Respectable
Working well - at a job, at school etc.
Feeling good in your self
Recognising your family and friends
Helpful, willing, responsive, agreeable,
cooperative
6
1.2 Sadness, disengagement
Pitjantjatjara/Yankunytjara
Iluru-Iluru
Ipilypa wiya
Kulintja
Walytjangku kulintja
---
Ngaanyatjarra
Mirrin-mirrinpa
Wuuyurrpa palya wiya
Yipilypa wiya
Wuuyurrpa
English
Miserable, grieving
Wuyuurpa wiya
Without feeling, empty, no feeling to join in or
engage with others
Not looking at you, ignoring (remembering
cultural rules of not making eye contact)
Shut down
Shut down
In your own world - preoccupied
Bad manners
Not in a good mood
Feelings
Nyakuntja wiya
Patiringu
Karta kutjara nyakupayi
Kuru tjukarurulu nyakupayi wiya
Kulintja patiringu
Kulintja kutjupa
Kulintja kutjupatjara
Kulira wantipai
--Kuru pinpantja wiyangku nyanganyi
Kulintja kutjuparingu
Kulintja kutjupa
---
Kurunpa wiya
Kutju nyinapai
Kutjutja
Kutjutja kutjutja
Tjutangka tjungu nyinanytja wiya
Mungutja (tjitji mungutja)
Antalkitja (no kinship, fatherless)
Ngunti ulapai
Nyuuru-nyuuru
Paku
Pilu-pilu
Pina pati, kulintja wiyaringu, putu kulini
Kurrunpa wiya
Kutju nyinapayi
Kutjunkura
Miserable, distressed
Turned inwards, glazed over (could be from drugs)
Staring without blinking
Without spirit, spirit is displaced
Sitting by themselves, alone
Isolated, lonely
Mungutja; mungutja-mungutja
Unwanted, no relatives, no kin [unwanted child]
Ngiinytju
Nyuuru-nyuuru
Paku
-Purtu kulilariku (inside the brains)
Will cry about anything, no reason, sooky
Emotional exhaustion
Tired, weary
Drowsy, nodding off to sleep
Deaf, incommunicado
Kurltjiri-kurltjiripa
Kuru pinpantja maaltu tirtu nyakula
Uti Kulintjaku: A compendium of words for talking about mental health
7
Pukulpa wiya
Tiwilpa
stiff, cramped, still
Purkulpa wiya
Tiwilpa
stiff, motionless, unable to move
Tjaanara wiya
--Tjituru-tjituru
Tjarnara wiya
Tjanyalpa wiya
Tjirturu-tjirturu
Ulanti
Yularnti
Puutu wangkara kulira kurunpa
Yularra
Yurakanyira
Yurakanyira Wangka wiyalu nyakupayi
Ulanyi
Urakanyini ; wangka wiya nyinapai (tiwilpa
ankupai wangka wiya nyinapai pukulpa wiya
nyinapai) unmoving, stiff, no grace in their
movements
Wali unngu rawa nyinanpai, pakantja wiya.
Putu ngura wantikatipai(?)
Ungu nyinapai
Wanganara wiya
Watjil-watjilpa
Wuyuurpa wiya
Wuyurpa wiyaringanyi
kuriku mukuringkunytja wiya (feeling for the
spouse is gone)
Yunpa kutjuparipai wiya
Kutjuparingkupai wiya
Palurutu ngaranyi
Para ngarapayi wiya
Kutju ngurangka nyinapayi
Not happy
Stiff, not moving around, not moving fluidly,
apathetic, lost their vitality, abnormal gait /
movement. Brain damage that has caused the
body to become stiff, stops motivation. From long
term substance misuse – VSA and marijuana
Not willing
Not feeling good
Sad and lonely, grieving
Inconsolable (Nothing can be said to prevent the
tears from falling)
Crying
Empty staring, blank, stare, nothing going on
inside, staring into space
Reptilian stare (psychotic?) like a snake – it is
scary (predatory like a crocodile)
Not leaving the house
Wanganara wiya
Watjil watjilpa
Wuyurpa wiya
Wuuyurrpa wiyarringu
Kurriku mukurripayi wiya
Not helpful
Homesick, feeling lost
No feeling, empty, disconnected, not joining in
Loss of libido
Yunpa kutjuparingkupayi wiya
Non reactive affect (poker face)
Uti Kulintjaku: A compendium of words for talking about mental health
8
1.3 Anger
Pitjantjatjara/Yankunytjara
Kaar-kaarpa
Ngaanyatjarra
Karr-karrpa
--Liri waru
Mapalku mirpanaripai
Kuwar-kuwarrpa
Liri waru
Warrpukula mirrpanyaringkupayi
Tungun-tungunaringpayi Cranky
Mikin-mikinpa
Mirrapayi
--Mirapai
Mirpan-mirpanpa
Mirpanarinyi, pikati pulka, nganyiri pulka
Mulyararinyi
Ngaltjurmananyi
Pikaringkupai
Pikati, pikaringanyi
Putu ngatjira mirpanaripai
Mirpanaripai
Pikaringkupai
Rawa Mirpanpa
Mirpanaripai
Pulka mirpanaripai
Mirpanpa pulka
Titutjara mirpanpa
Tungun-tungunpa
Warkinyi
Mirrpan-mirrpanpa
Mirrpantju – angry,furious
Mulyarraripayi
Mirrara watjarlpayi
Ngatjurmankupayi / mirrapayi
Pika-pikaringkupayi
Pikati
Pikaputju
Mirrparnarripayi
English
Agressive. Bad tempered, doesn’t want anyone to
tell them what to do. Not happy.
Frustrated
Angry, lose your temper
Hot headed, not making sense, gets wild easily
Snappy, negative, disagreeable
Shouting, a cry for help (for example during
violence)
Irritable, angry
Furious, very angry, sulky,
Sulky, moody, snobby
Threatening, disturbed shouting - so everyone can
hear and everybody knows. “Cheeky” person.
Angry, Aggressive
Angry, violent, violence
Worked up, rage, flare up , extreme, fly off the
handle, vengeful, directed at others
Tirtu mirrpanpa
Titutjara mirrpanpa
Angry all the time
Tungun-tungunpa
Disobedient, not listening to grandparents or
parents, a tough person
Swearing, growling, using serious words
Warrkila
Uti Kulintjaku: A compendium of words for talking about mental health
9
1.4 Fear, worry, depression
Pitjantjatjara/Yankunytjara
Kulintja pulka
Pulkara kulilpai
Kulintja pulkatjara
Ngaanyatjarra
Pulkara kulira
Pulkara kulipayi
Kulintja pulkaringkupayi
English
Worried, big worry, constant thoughts and
worries, might be depressed
Thinking too much, paranoid
Kunkunpa wiya
Putu kunkunarinyi
Kuntantju
Kuntaringanyi
Kutjutja mirpanarira pikaringkula ankupai
wangkanyangka palku
Kunkunparingkupayi wiya
Not sleeping
Kurntantju
Kurntaringanyi
Kutju mirpanarira pikariringkupayi
Miilaralpai
Ngunti kulintja palunya wangkanyangka-palku
Kutjutja mirpanarira pikaringkula ankupai
wangkanyangka palku
Kurnpu-kurnpu mirrparnarripayi
Kurnpu-kurnpu milaralpayi
Kurnpu-kurnpu kurlilpayi
Ngaayunyaniya watjara yiikaringkula
kulilpayi
Ngukalpayi
Ngukara wangkarra
Ngukara watjara
Ngukani (suspicious)
Ngurlu-ngurlu, ngurluny-ngurlunypa
Ngurluringkupayi
Shy, modest, embarrassed
Shamed and embarrassed
Someone getting really mad and upset because
they mistakenly think someone else is talking
about them
Thinking someone is talking about you (mistaken
feeling) leads to yelling (mirapai), ideas of
reference, person mistakenly thinks others are
talking about them [palku – mistakenly]
Ngukalpai
Ngukara wangkapai
Ngukara kulira wangkapai
Ngulu-ngulu
Ngulu,
Nguluringkupai
Ngulu-ngulu nyinanyi
Ngulu-ngulu nyinantj
Tjituru-tjituru
Pulkara kulintja wiya! (command)
Kutjupa kutjupa kulilpai
Accusing somebody, mistrusting, blaming
suspicious
Ngukara watjarlpayi
Terrified
Fearful
Kurltjirr-kurltjirrpa
Distressed
Kutjupa kutjupa kurlilpayi
Don’t worry or think about it too much!
Uti Kulintjaku: A compendium of words for talking about mental health
10
Putu ngalkuni
Ngalkunytja wiya; ngalkulpai wiya
Ngalkunytjaku mukuringkunytja wiya
Titutjarangku kulilpai
Rawangku kulilpai
Tjulur-tjulurpa
Ngalkunytja wiya nyinarra
Purtu ngalkupayi
Ngalkuntja wiya
Tirtu kulilpayi
Not eating
Tjulur-tjulurrpa
Tjuni pika
Tjuni tjulpilyaripai
Uruly-urulypa (Pit)
Tjulurarani (Yank)
Tjuni pika
Tjuni tjulpilyarriku
Tjulurr-tjulurrpa
Yurruly-yurrulypa
Waintara kulini
[waintara = further; kulini = thinking
Rurrurulu kurlilpayi
Walytjangku wiyalpai (lit. ‘Ending oneself’)
Yungaralu-wiyalpayi (lit. Ending oneself)
Body jerking, shaking, urulyarani from shock.
Edgy, jumpy, nervous
Feeling sick in the stomach, could be from worry
Worried, anxious, feeling it in the stomach
Nervous, edgy, jumpy, hyper-vigilant, always
looking and watching for trouble or danger,
shocked, traumatised
Emotions, projecting into the future, worrying
about something that may happen in the future –
good or bad. In a world of one’s own.
Suicidal – the person wants to kill themselves
Uti Kulintjaku: A compendium of words for talking about mental health
Thinking all the time; thinking too much
11
1.5 Mixed up thinking
Pitjantjatjara/Yankunytjara
Karangki
Ngaanyatjarra
Karangki
Kata kura mirapai
Katangka wangkanyi kutjupa kutjupa
Kata yultu (head no good)
Kata ultu
Kawalinanyi kulintja
Kata kura mirapayi
Kutjupa-kutjupa katataka kulira
Kata yurltu
English
Not thinking clearly, behaving badly
From English ‘cranky’
The way a disturbed person shouts
Hearing strange scary noises in your head
Empty-headed
---
Disassociated thoughts
Kawaru-kawaru
Kulintja tjukaruru wiya
Kulintja kawa-kawa
Kulintja tjukaruru wiya
Not thinking straight, muddle-headed
Kuwarr-kuwarrpa
Mixed up thoughts
Kulila kawalinanyi
Kulintja tjukutjuku
Kunta wiya
Kutju ikaringkunytja
Kutju ikaringkupai
Kutju mirapai
Kutju wangkapai
Kutjupa-kutjupanyakupai
--Kulintja tjukutjukuringku
Kurta wiya
Kutju yikarringkupayi
Kurnpu-kurnpu yikaripayi
Kutju mirrapayi
Kutju wangkapayi
Kutjupa-kutjupanyakupayi
Disjointed thoughts, might refer to dementia
Thoughts become small
No shame at all
Laughs at things that aren’t funny, laughing at
nothing
Shouting by themselves
Talking to oneself
Seeing things that aren’t there
Mawal-mawalpa
Paluru kulintja kutjupa tjara
Kulintja kutjupa tjara
Para kawarurinyi
Putu alatjitu kulilpai
Putu mulapa kulilipai
Putu kulini wangkanyangka
Mawal-mawalpa
Kulintja kutjupa tjarra
Not showing proper respect
He’s in another world
Lost in [his] own world
Going around in circles
Not being able to understand
--Purtu kulilpa
Purtu kulira watjarranyangka
Purtu kulilpayi
Uti Kulintjaku: A compendium of words for talking about mental health
Can’t understand what is being said to them
12
Putu kulini (unable to think/decide/know what to
do) “Options paralysis”
Putu kulira kawaruringkupai
Putu kulini wangkanyangka
Putu kulini
Rama kutu mula
Putu kulilpai
Rama-rama (be careful in using this word – it is
harsh and requires discretion)
Rawa wangkapai
Wangkala
Tjukaruru kulintja wiya
--Wangkala
Rawa wangkanyi
Kutju rawa wangkanyi
Wangka wiya nyinapai
Wililyarani kulintja kawalinanyi
(Wililyarani: scattering of birds/animals)
Yuku-yuku
Purtu kulini
Kuwarr-kuwarraripayi
Confused
Purtu kulira
Confused, not making any sense
Kurraringkutja
Puuyutjarnu
Ramaringu
Rama-rama (be careful in using this word – it is
harsh and requires discretion)
Someone getting really mentally ill
Wangkalaranypa
Wangkala
Kulintjara wiya
Tjukaruru wangkapayi wiya
Yarla yarla wangkapayi
Tirtu wangkapayi purtu kurliltjaku-kutju
Kutju tirtu wangkapayi
Can’t stop talking; incessant talking
Wangka wiya nyinapayi
Wiililyarrarnu
Not speaking
Dissociated thoughts
Yuku-yuku
Alternative, more respectful, kinder way of saying
‘rama-rama’
Uti Kulintjaku: A compendium of words for talking about mental health
Brain not functioning properly, doesn’t think
clearly
Not thinking right
Not talking straight – tangential thinking
talking nonsense
Speech can’t be interrupted, talking constantly
13
1.6 English words adapted
“Aboriginal English”
Cheeky
Cranky/ Karanki
Frightened
Jealous / Jealousing
Silly
Talking wrong way
Teasing
Worry / worried
Definition - adapted English meaning
Hitting, violent, uncontrollable, back talk, running around with other man or woman, talk about
other people
Rama, out of control, repeating same story, make up own story
Scared, terrified
Abusive, controlling, stopping you doing things, swearing can lead to fighting
Aggressive, not cooperative, may be due to drugs and alcohol, not thinking straight, talking wrong
way
Abusive, not showing respect, talk like they know everything or like they’re important, not showing
respect for elders
Bullying, victimising hurting, intimidating, frightening, threats, can be violence, slander, insulting,
physical violence
Big problem, sitting down thinking hard, talking hard
Uti Kulintjaku: A compendium of words for talking about mental health
14
2.1 Treatment and assessment
English
Assessment
Anxious, indecisive
Anxious – worried. Always asking for help from
someone else. Indecisive.
At the beginning. The first time. Onset.
At the onset, in the beginning, when sickness is
detected – speak up straight away – in case things
escalate and get worse.
Being cruel, speaking about the person to their
face, being too direct. For instance, calling
someone a cripple
Blaming
Body; whole person
Calling somebody by their bodily description, ie,
oneleg, dumb, scarface
Carefully
Counselling
Daydreaming, in a world of one’s own. Can be
good or bad thoughts
Delusional – fixed delusional, wrong, not part of
that person’s culture
Dementia
Diagnosis
Disorder
Pitjantjatjara / Yankunytjatjara
Nyakula kulintjaku
Nyakula kulira palyantjaku
Putu kuli kulira
Tjapira ngurilpai ramangku
Ngaanyatjarra
Nyakula kulira palyantjaku
Pika mirara tjakultjunkutjaku
Purtu kurli kurlira
Purtu kurli kurlira
Kuwaripatjara [modern language]
Mulyarlmulyalpa (The old people used this word
at Blackstone, a Ngaatjatjarra word) [old
language]
Kuranyu-kuranyu. Kuranyu-kuranyu pika nyakula – Kuranyurtu pika nyakula
mapalku wangka - pika pulkaringkunytjaku
Pika ngaralngaka ninitila pulkarikutjakutarratu
tawara.
Anangitja
Yarnangu nyakula watjarlpayi
Ngukani
Puntu-anangu uwankara
Puntura wangkanyi
Ngukara
Yarnangu kurrarringu
Punturra yarnangu watjarlpayi
Purkarari
Purkara wangkara kulintjaku
Uru kulini
Yartatjurra
Purrkaralu wangkara kurliltjaku
Rurrurulu kulilpayi
Ramaringu **use this word with care
kaarangki
Kawa kawa
Rama rama
Ngurkantankula palyantjaku
Pikatjara = sickness = disorder
Ramaringu **use this word with care
Uti Kulintjaku: A compendium of words for talking about mental health
Kuwar kuwarpa
Ngurrkantaralpi palyalku
Pikatjara = sickness = disorder
15
Drug use, (alcohol) wama, (marijuana) ganja
Wama tjikilpai, puuytja
Early intervention
At the beginning. The first time. Onset.
Kuwaripatjara
Eccentric, a different way of thinking
Fearful, avoidant
Feedback and evaluation
Kulintja kutjupa
Miru-miru
Nintiringkunytjatjanungku kulira malakungku
tjakultjunkunytjaku nintilpaingka.
Kurunpa puntu winki pulkara mirpanarinyi.
Kulintja kutjupa
Miru-miru
Marlakurlu wangka nintintja
Marlaku kutu wangka nintintja
Yunytju-warutjara
Kata kurangku ngunti nyanganyi
Karmara
Kata kuralu nyakula kutjupa kutjupa
yartakaringkulanangka
Tjaka
Tirtu palunya pirrinypa
Miiral-mirralpa
Ngarnyirri purlkanya
I jumped out of my skin (or my skin fell off) with
shock.
Karrmarra
Mawal-mawalpa
Mawarl - mawarlpa
---
Purtu tjukarrurutu kurlilpayi
Nyaranytju
Kutjupa kutjupa kura (problem) Ngaparrkungaparrkulu warrkira pika palunpayi. Nyangka
wangkara kaylparnma.
Kulira tjukarurrulypayi
Getting angry with the whole body. Angry to the
point of wanting to do physical damage to
someone else.
Hallucination
He/she is always like that.
Tjaka palatja
Highly aggressive
Miraly-miralypa, pikati-pulka
I jumped out of my skin (or my skin fell off) with
shock.
If someone has suffered trauma as a child they
feel this inside all their lives, it grows with you.
Impulsive, not natural for them to do those
things, they’ve got no control
Incongruent – when a person’s emotional
reaction does not match up with what is being
said, what happened or what you could expect
Jealousy
Puntu winki aralytjaringu,
Judgement (how the mind makes decisions in any
given situation)
Kulira tjukarurulypai
Uti Kulintjaku: A compendium of words for talking about mental health
Tirtu ganja patjarlpayi wama tjikilpayinya kata
kurariku
Mulyangka (Still in use today at Tjukurla)
Murlyal-murlyalpalpi pikarrinyangka
16
Jumping with shock
Loss of memory and can’t hear anything
(shutting down mind- the man in the blindfold)
Mixing it up, getting confused, especially if too
much going on at once or too many people talking
at the same time
My real biological mother
Nervous, edgy, jumpy, hyper-vigilant, always
looking and watching for trouble or danger
Older words, not used now
Only people with something wrong in the head
can see things
Person with disability, “cripple”
Urulyarani
Ngukunypa patiringanyi
Kulintja wiyaringu
Tjunyi-tjunyini kura-kurani
Ngunytju, mula – mula, tjunkunytjaku
[Yankunytjatjara]
Uruly urulypa (Pit)
Tjulurarani (Yank)
Wangka irititja
Kata kurangku nyakunyangka kutjupa kutjupa
utiringkupai
Nyumpu
Picturing somebody in the forehead, who has
passed away. This leads to sorry business but is
not necessarily traumatic.
Ruuru kulini
Ruuru
Psychosis – problems with thinking, disorder with
thinking, effects on emotions and feelings and
behaviours
Psychosis
Kawa kawa,
yuku-yuku,
rama rama
Rama mulapa,
Karangki mulapa,
Yuku -yuku
Kawa kawa, yuku-yuku, rama rama
Miraly-miralyapampa kunyu
Kura-kura kulilpai
Kura kulilpai
Kar-karpa
Psychotic
Reputed to be highly aggressive
Risk
Sick inside, they don’t want to talk about it, they
are moody, snappy, bad tempered.
Uti Kulintjaku: A compendium of words for talking about mental health
Kurlintja wiyarripayi
Kawarn-kawarnarringu
Ngunytju/mama mularrtjaranya
Njulurr tjulurrpa
Kata kuralu nyakula kutjupa-kutjupa
Nyumpu
Wawanypa
Ruu kulira kaamaringkula
Ruu-ruu nyakula
Rawalu kurlilpayi
Kuwarr- kuwarrpa
Rama mularpa
Kuwarr- kuwarraringu
Yuntju-walykutjara
Kurra kulilpayi
Karr karrpa
17
Shock (a colloquialism); had a big shock; my skin
fell off my body and exposed all my nerves,
jumping out of my skin, peeling out of my skin.
Shutting down mind
Shy (to the point shame all the time)
Sulky, pissed off, no respect for old people
Sulky, moody
Symptoms
Temporary
That person is very unresponsive
Pangki aralytjaringu
They are normally happy. He/she is normally a
happy person
Thing
Thoughts and pictures in the forehead, in the
brains
To make it clear for others to understand
Trauma triggered by memory
Paluru pukulpa nyinapai
Partjaru
Kurntanytju / mirru-mirru
Mulyara-mulyara
Karr-karrpa
Nyakula ngurkantananyi ngurkantankutjaku
Yunytju, ngarna
Kun-kunpa
Nyuru-nyuru
Purkulpa nyinapayi
Nyaana? Nyaa? Nyaapa?
Ruru kulintja
Nyaapa?
Ruru kurlilpayi
Uti kulintjaku
Ruru-kulira kamararingkupai
Trauma (outside on the skin)
Trauma inside Sick inside, they don’t want to talk
about it, they are moody, snappy, bad tempered.
Traumatic memory
Traumatic memory, hyper-vigilant
Pintjanpa (physical scar)
Mirpan mirpanpa
Yuti kurliltjaku
Ruu-kulira
Tirtu ruu-kurlilpayi
Yawarra (scar or wound)
mirrpan mirrpanpa
Treatments
What are you doing sitting there sniffing me out
for?
When a person becomes ill take them to the
Mental Health Doctor
Ngukunypa patiringanyi
Kuntanytju / Miru-miru
mulyararinyi
Kaarkaarpa
Nyakula ngurkantananyi
Unytju
Kuun-kuunpa nyangatja nyinanyi
Kulira kaar-kaarpa
Tulurarani (Yankunytjatjara)
Uruly-urulypa (Pitjantjatjara)
Nyakula kanyintjaku atunymankunytjaku
Milin-milinpa
Tjurlurr-tjurlurrpa
Nyaaku nyuntu nyinara ngayunya pantini?
Miranykanira kaniltjaku nyakula kanitjaku
Medicinepa pika nyakula ninititjaku
Tirluni ngayunpa nyakula
Malpalkungku kuraringkunyangka katima doctor
kutu
Yarnangu kutjupa mulyangka pikaringkunyangka
katima Mental Health Doctor ku.
Uti Kulintjaku: A compendium of words for talking about mental health
18
2.2 Predisposing factors
English
Body inheriting the grandfather’s genes, having a
physical body just like the grandfather
‘By way of’ - contextual, Predisposing Predisposition
Character, always like that
Genes, genetic, from your family line, in your
body, inside you, your own way, since you were a
child, typical, character, personality.
Pitjantjatjara / Yankunytjatjara
Puntu ngaranyi tjamu-purunypa
Ngaanyatjarra
Tjamu yarnangu kanyira
Ara wanu
Yara wanu ngarala
Palunya nguwanpa titutjara ngaranyi
Tjamu nguru, kami nguru
Going downhill, feelings plummeted, a
predisposition
Guided and taught to be that way
It’s there, it exists
Just like the grandfather was
Kulintja tjaruringu
Putu kulilpaiyiringu
Nintira tjungkarurunma
Ngaranyi
Tjamu-ngka arangka
Tjaka tjamu purunypa
Tirtu palunya pirinypa
Yara wanu ngarala
Mama-wana; mama-nguru
Tjamu-wana; tjamu-nguru
Ngutju-wana; ngutju-nguru
Kapali-wana; kapali-nguru
Kulintja tjaruringu
Maybe it will come out or happen
Passed on – given attributes
(When the baby is born the grandparent can put
some of their best characteristics into the child by
rubbing the child on their bare chest and saying
“you can be like me!”)
You might get it
Your way of being, inherited from your family
Tjinguru ngula utiringkuku
Ngampa Waningu
Tjingurun mantjilku
Tjamu – wanu (by way of the grandfather, typical,
just like the grandfather was)
Tjamu wanu, kami wanu, (genes=wanu) – wanu by way of, through biological grandfather and
grandmother
Uti Kulintjaku: A compendium of words for talking about mental health
Ninti pungama
Ngarala
Tjamu-pirrnypa (Yarnangu) spitting image of
grandfather
Tjamupirrinypa
Tjinguru ngula yata kari ku?
Ngarmpa-waningu
Tjingurun mantjilku
Tjamu –wanu, kapali– wanu, Katja-wanu, Yuntal –
wanu (family line)
19
2.3 Precipitating factors
English
A violent response
Pitjantjatjara / Yankunytjatjara
Miralmiralpapa kunyu
Already triggered
Kuranyulpi kuraringu
An explosive event that caused a similar explosive
reaction
An event or words that burst out and cause a
violent outburst
An outburst that triggered a violent response
Balloon bursting, split out, pop out, burst,
outburst, emotions or reactions, feelings and
doings
Changed?
Explosion, bullet, precipitating factor
Kutjuparingu
Pressure in the body that explodes out and causes
a dramatic response (like suicide or drug taking)
Something that blasted out
Something that triggers a continuous violent
response
Triggered, just happened suddenly
What caused that change in me? (somebody
asking the question of themselves)
What has happened to you?
What tips you over, what “pulls the trigger”,
pushes over the edge, “the final straw”
Wangka kura kulira pikaringkupai
Pika-pika wangkapai
Kutjutja miilaranu
Pikati
Ngaanyiri pulka
Kutjuparingu
Piltatjunu
taanu
Pulkara mirpanarira, katangka kanyira
walytjangku iluntanyi
Pika pikaringkupai
Titutjara miraly-miralypa taani
kutjuparingu
Nyaana kutjupankuku, ngayunya,
Kutjupankunytjikitjangku?
Nyaringun
Puuyu wiyaringyangka
Mutkangka purnkantjatjarnu
Uti Kulintjaku: A compendium of words for talking about mental health
Ngaanyatjarra
Taalarranu
Kutju nganyiri
Kurra nyurlpi
kurraringu
kutjuparingu
Wangka kurra kulira
Ngarltjurralpayi
Pika-pika wangkara
Taalarranu
Kutju nganyiri
Kutju paringun?
taalarranu
Tjarl-tjarlpa
Mirrpanytju
Rawalu kurlira-kurlira
Kutjupa-kutjupa palyalpayi
Taalarra; pika-pikaripayi
Taalarranu
Kutju nganyiri
kutjuparingu
Nyatjanu kutjuparingu
Nyarringun? Nyarringu?
Puuyu wiyaringyangka
Mutukangka purnkantjatjarnu
Kutjupa-kutjupa watjaralpi mularrmanku
20
What thing?
Nyaapa?
What’s on your mind? What have you heard?
Nyaan kulinu?
Uti Kulintjaku: A compendium of words for talking about mental health
Nyaa parna
Nyaapa
Nyarringu
Nyaparn Kulirnnu?
21
2.4 Perpetuating factors
English
A problem that never goes away; never stops; a
chronic problem
Chronic, always there
Habitual, chronic
Stiff, cramped, still
What keeps this problem going on, going on and
on forever?
Pitjantjatjara / Yankunytjatjara
Anpalykarira ngarinyi titutjara alatjitu
(Anpalykari is a very old word)
Tjakatjunkula ngaringyi
Tjakaringanyi
Rawa,
Titutjara ngaranyi
Tjakaringu-tjakatjunu
Nganytjanu
Ampal,
Tjakaringu
Unuru
Tiwilpa
Rawa ngarakatinytja?
Titutjara ngarapai
Uti Kulintjaku: A compendium of words for talking about mental health
Ngaanyatjarra
Tirtu ngarala
Wanarayirnma
Kularuru
Tirtu ngarama
Kularuru
Tirtu ngarama
Tjarr-tjarrpa
Tjakaringu
Tiwilpa
Nyanguru nyaanya tirtu ngarala wanarayirni
22
2.5 Protective factors
English
Fighting shield
Good protection – shielding, “protective custody”
Keep safe, save someone’s life
Protecting
Secure
Secure shielding, protecting like a shield or
umbrella
Shield
What (or who) shields you, what (or who)
protects and supports you? What keeps you
going, what keeps you strong?
Pitjantjatjara / Yankunytjatjara
Kutitji
Ngalkilpa wiru
Wankarunanyi
Wankarura kanyini
Atunymananyi
Anga kanyini
Anga kanyini
Kutitji purunytju anga kanyini
Ngaanyatjarra
Tjara
Mirranykuru nyinapayi
Wankarunama
Wankarunu
Wankarnu
Mirranykurru
Wankarura kanyira
Mirrany Kurru Nyinarrtjaku
Palunya nyaangku kunpu kanyini? (What is
keeping that person strong?)
Uti Kulintjaku: A compendium of words for talking about mental health
Mirranykurru nyinama
Mirranykanyirnma
Tjartjara-pirrinypa yanga ngarama
23
2.6 Personality types
English
He’s like that all the time
The way people are, that’s the way he/she is,
their personality type, character
Always happy
Bad tempered, gets angry quickly
Bitter
Bossy, domineering, top dog
Cheerful, generous
Disobedient, kids not listening to their mother
Doesn’t want to join in, negative, unhappy inside,
when you ask them to do something they won’t
finish it or do it properly, not good energy
Easily upset, quick temper, sulky
Easy to come when you call them, generous, easy
to please you
Generous
Greedy for food
Greedy, selfish
Greedy, wanting more
Grizzly, fearful, mostly children but adults can be
like this too
Hard person, tough, stubborn, difficult, won’t
negotiate
Happy
Pitjantjatjara / Yankunytjatjara
Paluru alatji titu nyinanyi, tjaka
Tjaka
EXAMPLES OF PERSONALITY TYPES
Pukulpa
Liri waru/pikati/nganyiri)
Karkarpa
Mayatja-mayatja
Walytja ngarapai
Inytjanu pulka
Tunguntungunpa
Tjituru-tjituru ungu ngaranyanagka putu palyalpai
witu-witunyangka kutjupa kutjupa palyantjaku
Mirpantju malpalku
Pakara
Inytjanu pulka
Maiku manyu
Manyu ,
Ngayarka manyu
Tjalalypa/ulanti
Mirpantju karkarpa
Witu-witu
Tungun-tungunpa
Ikari-kari
pukulpa
Uti Kulintjaku: A compendium of words for talking about mental health
Ngaanyatjarra
Tjaka palunya piinpa
Tirtu Palunyapirinypa (character)
Purkulpa
Mirrpantju
Mirrpanaripayi warrpungkula
Mirkintju
Mayatja – mayatja
Katu-katuringu
Yitjanu walalpa
Tjitji tunguntungunpa
Kurltjirr – Kurltjirrpa
Mirrparntju
Paakara
Ngayarrka
Marnyu, nyinytju
Ngayarrka
Ngaltja
Karkarpa
Wiitu – wiitu
Tunguntungunpa
Yirkari-yirkari
24
Helpful, considerate, this word is used every day
in school, Anangu teachers ask children to be like
this
Impatient, irritable
Independent, isolated
Jealous, envious
Liar, making excuses
Like a mouse, fiddling, going through your things,
young people, young girls, nosy, really bad, not
necessarily stealing
Love themselves
Loving
Not greedy, not needy
Not in a good mood, moody, fed up, impatient,
irritable
People always around them, in groups
Person who is always helping, kind, good hearted,
obliging
Popular, famous
Proud, movie star, think they are the best,
narcissistic, slow to react, doesn’t care, -explore
pride, egotistical
Quiet, calm, placid, unruffled
Selfish
Wanganara
Wanganara
Karkarpa
--Nyaaranytju
Ngunti wangkapai
Nyairnyairpa (tjitji nyairnyairpa)
Mikin-Mikinpa,
Marntalpa
Nyirraringkula
Yala-mayurlpayi
Nyayirr-nyayirrpa lilikatipayi
Lilikalingu
Taltu (inflated =full of themselves?)
mukulya
Munytja
Kaarkaarpa /Karkarpa
Mulyaringkula
Tjunguringanyi kutjutu
Pukultju, mukulya
Tarltu – Tarltu
Mukulyanytju
Munytja
Karr-Karrpa,
Mirrparntju
Kata Kaputu
Wanganara
--Kanany-kananypa
Palurunku kutju kulilpai
Kata ngurrupa
Karnany-Karnanypa
Aatanpa
Nyiinytju
Stealer, thief, stealing from the shop all the time,
dishonest, sneaky
Sulky
Kankalya
Karnyurypa
Nyinytju
Ngurrtju
Mulyatanytju
Mirpantju, anangungka wangkapai wiya, kutju
nyinapai
Ulanti, mulyariringkupai
Tjalalypa
Uti Kulintjaku: A compendium of words for talking about mental health
Yurlati
Ngarilypa
Tjalyalpa kutju nyinapayi
25
Surrounded by everyone, popular, famous
Tantrum, little kids, oppositional
Telling fibs
Wanting to attract people by making up stories,
exaggerating and boasting
Wanting things for herself
Nguruntjura kanyilpai
Ulara tjinanpungkupai
Tjuni kuratjara
-----
Ngurrutatjara Karnyil payi
Nyurri-Nyurri
Tjuni kurratjara
Mayunytju
Mayunytju – Mayunytju
Ngurtjuringkupai
Ngurtjuripayi
nguurrjuringkupayi
Uti Kulintjaku: A compendium of words for talking about mental health
26
2.7 Biological / Psychological / Social factors
English
A doctor will identify what is wrong with the body
inside
Body, living body, life
Body
Whole body
Whole lot – in terms of meat, whole body not
carved up, human, person
Inside me my spirit is thinking
The way your mind works
The way your spirit works, what you are thinking
All the people living together doing things
together
Everybody, the whole community, Companions
together
What is happening in the community group that is
causing this problem
Pitjantjatjara / Yankunytjatjara
BIOLOGICAL
Doctor-ngku nintingku, ngurkantanku, pika
unngutja
Palumpa puntu
Puntu
Anangu
Puntu winki
Puntu winki
PSYCHOLOGICAL
Unngu kutju kuruntu kulintja
Nyuntumpa kulintja
Nyuntu kutjupa-kutjupa katangka kanyini
SOCIAL
Anangu tjuta tjungu nyinara tjungungku palyani
Malparara malparara uwankara
Nyaaringanyi ngurangka, walytja tjutangka,
community?
Uti Kulintjaku: A compendium of words for talking about mental health
Ngaanyatjarra
Doctor-lu nintilu pika ngurrkantankupayi
Palunyaku Yarnangu Kutjupa Kutjuparingu
Yarnangu
purntu
Yarnangu
Yarnangu pirninyatu nyaku
Yuungarralu kulintja
Kuwarr-Kuwarraringu
Kutju-lu yungaralu
Yarnangu pirni purkulpa lurrtju nyinara
Kutjurtu palyalpayi
Tjarnturara tjarnturara nyinara
Nyaaringula?
Yungaralu kutjupa-kutjupa palyara
Kulira palyara
Kuraringula
27
2.8 Questions useful in assessment
English
Any problem? (Literally “Anything bad coming
up?”
Are you suspicious more than usual?
Do you feel as though people are ‘out to get’ you?
Do you ‘hear’ things?
Do you see things/Can you see ‘something’?
Have you noticed any changes in yourself?
How are you feeling?
How shall I do...? What for? What? What?
(Different things.)
How would you describe your usual self?
Is your head spinning? Is your head aching?
What is that person typically like?
What’s the matter?
What is troubling you?
What is your problem?
What was he/she like before?
What were you like before?
Pitjantjatjara / Yankunytjatjara
Kutjupa kutjupa kura utiringanyi?
Ngaanyatjarra
Kutjupa kutjupa kura yartakarrinyangka?
Ngukalpai ngukani (suspicious)
Ngulu-ngulun nyinapai?
Kulinin kutjupa-kutjupa?
Kutjupa kutjupan nyanganyi?
Nyuntu walytjangku kutjupa
kutjuparingkunyangka kuliningi?
Nyanguwanpan kulini?
Nyaana? Nyaaku? Nyaa? Nyaapa? (KutjupaKutjupa.)
Tirtu murntan ngurlu-ngurlu nyinapai?
Ngurlurn-ngurlurnpa nyinapai?
Kulira murntan kutjupa kutjupa?
Nyakula murntan kutjupa kutjupa?
Kutjuparinytja-muntan-kun Kulira?
Yaaltji yaaltjingkun nyuntu walytjangku utira
wangkaku?
Katanta lirpunganyi?
Nyaa purunypa mulapa Anangu nyaratja?
Nyaa nguwanpa mulapa Anangu nyaratja?
Yaaltji yaaltji Anangu nyaratja nyinapai?
Nyaaringun?
Nyaaringun?
Nyaakun putu kulini? Nyaan?
Yaaltji yaaltji paluru kuranyu nyinangi? [different
dialect of Pitjantjatjara.]
Yaaltji yaaltji paluru nganmanypa nyinangi? [APY
Lands dialect of Pitjantjatjara.]
Yaaltji yaaltjin nyinangi?
Nya nguwanpa kuranyu nyinangi?
Uti Kulintjaku: A compendium of words for talking about mental health
Yaltji-Yaltjin Nyinara
Nyaaku
Nyaapa
Wanytjapirinypa
Yaaltji yaaltjilunkun nyuntulu watjarlku
Kata lirrpungku-la
Kata yurrira
Nyapirrinypa yarnangu
Nyarrnya?
Nyaaringun?
nyaaringun
Nyaakun purtu kurlira
Yaaltji-yaaltji kuranyulpi nyirrantja
Yarltji – Yarltjinynuntulun nyinarrantja
28
What was your [family member] like before?
Son
Daughter
Friend
Wife / partner
Husband / partner
Mother
Father
Sister
Brother
Youngfella (young and initiated)
Young Girl
Who is my real mother? Who is my real father?
[Related to genes, DNA, matching genes, blood
type]
Yaaltji yaaltji nyuntumpa tjitji nyinangi
Katja
Untalpa
Malpa
Miita, kuri, tjungutja
Miita, kuri, tjungutja
Ngunytju
Mama
Kangkuru (older sister) malanypa (younger sister)
Kuta (older brother) malanypa (younger brother)
Wati yangapala
Kungkawara
Ngunytju mula mula, mama mula, mula?
Uti Kulintjaku: A compendium of words for talking about mental health
Yarltji – yarltji nyurntulku katja [son]
nyinarranytja?
Katja
Yurntalpa
Yamatji
Kurri
Kurri
Nguntju
Mama
Tjurtu
Kuta
Nyiwayi
Kungkawara
Ngarnanyatju mama mularrpa
Ngarnanyatju ngunytju mularpa
29
3.0 Statements to get help
English
Emergency
Go to the clinic with a friend or grandmother for
support.
I am worried it will cause trouble if people know I
am speaking to you so it has to be confidential.
I have a really serious problem.
Statements to get help
Pitjantjatjara / Yankunytjatjara
Wala-wala, warpuwa
---
Ngaanyatjarra
Warrpuwa
Yamatji kati
---
Pirnilu kuliltjakutara
Kutjupa kutjuparinguna
Kutjupa
Kutjuparinguna
Kurraringuna
Katani kurraringu nyangkarnanta tjapira
yirrinkankutjaku
I have a really urgent problem.
I have a serious mental health problem, it is
getting worse and worse and I am asking you for
help.
I have a very big problem, I need your help, it is a
private matter.
I need help
I need to be able to trust you
I need to speak to you about a private matter
Kuraringuna
Katani kuraringu kani wanyu alpamilala
I want some help but I’m frightened of what will
happen if anyone finds out
It is an emergency
It is dangerous for me to talk about this.
It is urgent
Please help me!
Serious - immediately
Something terrible will happen if we don’t get
help.
Straight away.
This is a mental health emergency
---
---
Kutjupa-kutjupananta wangkakitja
Alpamilalani
--Nyuntunya kutjunanta tjapilkitja
Mukurringkularna yirringkarnkutjaku
Kutjungkanan wankakitja
Kutjungkananta wangkakitja
Kutjungkanan wangkaku
Ngurluringkulana pirniluta kuliltjakutaratu
Mapalku palyala
Warpuwa, wala-walangku
Alpamilalani
Mapalku palyala
Kutjupa kutjupana palyalku
Kuwaritu
Katana kuraringu
Uti Kulintjaku: A compendium of words for talking about mental health
Kurlira wantitja maatu palyarla
Kumpilpanyanta wangkakitja
Warrpuwa
Yirringkarani
Warrpuwa palyala
Kutjup-kutjupana palyalku
Kutjupa-kutjupariku
Kuwarinyartu
Katarna kurraringu
30
This is a very private, confidential and sensitive
matter.
Urgent
Kutjungkananta wankakitja
Mapalkungku palyala
Kurlira wantitjamaaltu
**This document is a work in progress. For any feedback please email [email protected]
Uti Kulintjaku: A compendium of words for talking about mental health
31