Study into Aboriginal English used in WA

The distinct version of English spoken by Australian Aborigines will be the subject of a new study.

University of Western Australia linguistics researcher Celeste Rodriguez Louro has received a grant to analyse variations and changes and understand the rules of the language spoken by Perth-based Aborigines.

Aboriginal English was spoken throughout Australia and had a distinctive accent, grammar, words, meanings and other features linked to traditional Aboriginal languages, she says.

"It's a variety of English which is the result of English contact. It has it's own culture and vocabulary," Dr Louro said.

The research will be used to help design materials in the two-way learning program used in West Australian schools.

WA is the only state with schools that have instructions in Aboriginal English.