Tharawal languages facts for kids

Tharawal, also spelled Thurawal and Dharawal, is the name for a small group of Australian Aboriginal languages. These languages are no longer spoken today. They were once used by Aboriginal people along the South Coast of New South Wales, Australia.

What are Tharawal Languages?

The Tharawal language group includes several different languages. Experts have different ideas about how many languages belong to this group.

Some researchers, like Bob Dixon, say there were four main Tharawal languages:

• Tharawal
• Dhurga
• Dyirringanj
• Thawa

Other experts, like Claire Bowern, list three languages within the larger Yuin language family:

• Dharawal
• Dhurga
• Thawa

All these languages are part of the bigger Pama–Nyungan language family, which covers most of Australia.

Who Spoke These Languages?

Different Aboriginal groups and clans spoke the Tharawal languages. These groups lived along the coast of New South Wales.

Clans and Groups

Here are some of the groups who spoke these languages:

Northern Dharawal Clans

These groups lived in the northern part of the Tharawal language area:

• Noron-Geragal
• Targarigal
• Goonamattagal
• Wodi Wodi
• Gweagal (also known as Geawegal)

South Coast Groups

These groups lived further south along the New South Wales coast:

• Dharawal
• Dhurga (also called Thoorga or Durga)
• Dyirringanj (also called Djirringanj)
• Thawa

These languages are an important part of the history and culture of the Aboriginal people of New South Wales.

See also

In Spanish: Lenguas tharawal para niños