Dictionary of the D’harawal Language with grammatical notes: compiled by Gavin Andrews, Frances Bodkin and Gawaian Bodkin-Andrews

Access the dictionary in sections below or soon you will be able to download the whole dictionary (coming soon).

Note: Over the past number of years, the D’harawal Traditional Descendants and Knowledge Holders Circle has become aware of emerging works on collating D’harawal dictionaries across the broader Sydney Basin Region (including the strong work of Yuin scholar – with D’harawal kinship connections – Jodie Edwards found at www.dharawalwords.com). Although there may be key differences (both in ‘English’ spelling and name) across these language compilations, the D’harawal Circle (including Aunty Frances Bodkin and Uncle Gavin Andrews) holds these works in high esteem and does not contest their validity. Rather, the Circle sees this as direct evidence of varying dialects within the broader D’harawal Nation/Language Group, as evidence of varying Place-Based Knowledges representing natural variation in the biodiversity across the broader Sydney Region, and as evidence for varying deep connections and relatedness with surrounding Nation/Language groups (and possibly forces dislocation due to colonial missionary and reserve pressures). As a result, The Circle requests that the readers understands that they situate their language words (this dictionary) in the north-western region of D’harawal Country (Picton, Appin, Camden), reaching towards the coast along the Georges River, and that our dialect is deeply imbedded in Stories of Country that have been shared on this website. The Circle also encourages the use of dual D’harawal/Dharawal working if uncertainty arises (including neighbouring Nation/Language groups if appropriate).

Introduction

Grammatical notes (sentence structure, tense, person, prepositions, transitive verbs, questioning, replying to a question.