Research Guides: Indigenous languages: Western Australia

Tags: Aborginal languages, language revitalisation, language revival

Key to library resources

	In the Library (or anywhere with a Library card for NSW residents)
	Only in the Library
	Publicly available

Western Australia

Language resources for Western Australia

Aboriginal langauges of the Pilbara [catalogue record]
Use this book to explore Aboriginal languages of the Pilbara region.
Grammatical introduction to the study of the Aboriginal language of Western Australia [catalogue record]
Consult this book for grammar of Aboriginal languages in Western Australia.
Handbook of Western Australian Aboriginal languages south of the Kimberley Region [catalogue record]
Find information about Aborginal languages south of the Kimberley region in this book.
Robert Brown - Papers [M2494-2496] 1800-1855
Find Aboriginal vocabularies from King George Sound and east of Perth in these papers.
Allan Cunningham - Miscellaneous Papers, CA. 1822-1833
Consult these papers for Aboriginal word lists from Western Australia, New South Wales and Queensland. You can find words from the Western Australian communities of Noongar and Miwa.
Also viewable on Rediscovering indigenous languages
My dusky friends : sketches of the south eastern natives of Western Australia, 1861-1910 / compiled by Mrs. A. Y. Hassel
Use these sketches to learn more about language from the Wiilman and Nyaki Nyaki communities of Western Australia.
Volume 1: 'Australian Comparative Vocabulary' By Edward M. Curr, 1881
Search these manuscripts for vocabulary from the Pinjarup, Noongar and Nhanhagardi communities.
Volume 2: 'Comparative Vocabulary of Australian Languages' by Edward M. Curr, 1884
Search these manuscripts for vocabulary from Nhanda and Wajarri languages.

Did you know?

The word lists of Indigenous languages in these resources were compiled by non-Indigenous explorers, surveyors, first settlers, missionaries, anthropologists and linguists. There may be inaccuracies or errors in translation.

Hidden gems

Watch this video, Hidden Gems:The Role of Libraries & Archives in Cultural Revitalisation to learn more about reviving Indigenous languages.

Rediscovering indigenous languages

Rediscovering indigenous languages
Visit the Rediscovering Indigenous Languages website to find out more about Indigenous languages. You can be part of the revitalisation of Indigenous languages through the collections of the State Library of New South Wales.

Get involved!

Do you know more about Indigenous languages? Get involved! You can help us add to our Indigenous languages collections.

Indigenous languages