Martu Wangka means 'Aboriginal language' and it is spoken by about 800-1,000 Martu people in and around the Gibson and Great Sandy Desert area of Western Australia. The communities where a significant number of Martu Wangka speakers live are Jigalong, Parnngurr, Punmu, Newman and Nullagine. Martu people have also moved to other towns and communities in the Pilbara, including Port Hedland, Warralong and Strelley.
Martu Wangka is a language that has developed from a combination of other languages. When the Western Desert language group communities moved in to Jigalong in the mid 20th century, members of the Kartujarra and Manyjilyjarra language groups lived side by side with other groups and Martu Wangka developed. The Martu Wangka language combines elements of Manyjilyjarra and Kartujarra with some Putijarra, Warnman and Nyiyaparli.
Martu Wangka is a relatively strong language and is in widespread use on the Martu lands in the Western Desert region of the Pilbara. It is often the first language of Aboriginal children in their communities.