| Vowel | Marri Tjavin-Marri Ammu | English (Standard Australian unless otherwise stated) |
|---|---|---|
| middle i | nidin (country) | bit |
| end i | wudi (water) | ski |
| u | kuwa (he/she stands) | put |
| a | ma-yawa (Marri Ammu ancestor) | but |
| e | yendili (place name) | bet |
| Consonant | ||
| t | titil (clapstick) | tar |
| d | nidin (country) | hid |
| rt | rtadi (back, on top) | American English “part” |
| th | thanggurralh (Marri Ammu and Marri Tjavin people) |
Not in English but as in Italian “tu” |
| dh | walakandha (Marri Tjavin ancestor) |
and this |
| tj | tjiwilirr (Hairy Cheeky Yam) | chat |
| dj | djindja (here) | ginger |
| p | purangang (salt water) | put |
| b | bugim (white) | but |
| k | kuwa (he/she stands) | cut |
| g | gapil (big) | gut |
| rz | rzamu (sea turtle) | Dr. Zhivago |
| sj | gisji (like this) | fusion |
| v | verri (foot) | very |
| n | nidin (country) | nut |
| ny | pumininy (spring) | onion |
| m | mana (brother) | mud |
| ng | ngata (house) | sing |
| l | wulumen (old man) | holy |
| lh | kavulh (he/she lies down) | stealth |
| rr | verri (foot) | trilled r as in Scottish “sporran” |
| r | yeri (child) | very |
| y | yeri (child) | yes |
| w | wudi (fresh water) | wet |