The Aboriginal language of Sydney is one of many Indigenous languages spoken in Australia. Almost destroyed in the whirlwind of colonisation, it was documented by William Dawes, an officer of the First Fleet of 1787–88.

THE NOTEBOOKS OF WILLIAM DAWES ON

THE ABORIGINAL LANGUAGE OF SYDNEY

The notebooks of Lieutenant William Dawes are the major source of information about the Aboriginal language of Sydney. They contain information of significance to Aboriginal communities of New South Wales, to linguists, historians, residents of Sydney, and many others.

This website is the result of a collaboration between the Hans Rausing Endangered Languages Project and the SOAS University of London Library Special Collections.

Its aim is to promote recognition of the Indigenous language of Sydney, to provide resources for the communities revitalising their languages, and to enable easy access to the notebooks through the publication of high quality images and a new electronic text version.

Click on the menus at left to continue, or go directly to the notebook page index.