Dharug language

Dharug
Sydney, Iyora, Gadigal, Darug, Dharuk, Biyal Biyal
Native toAustralia
RegionNew South Wales
EthnicityDharug, Eora (Yura) (Gadigal, Wangal, Cammeraygal, Wallumettagal, Bidjigal)
Extinctlate 19th-early 20th century
RevivalSmall number of L2 speakers
Dialects
  • Dharuk
  • Gamaraygal
  • Iora
Language codes
ISO 639-3xdk
Glottologsydn1236
AIATSISS64
ELPDharug
Dharug is classified as Critically Endangered by the UNESCO Atlas of the World's Languages in Danger

The Dharug language, also spelt Darug, Dharuk, and other variants, and also known as the Sydney language, Gadigal language (Sydney city area), is an Australian Aboriginal language of the Yuin–Kuric group that was traditionally spoken in the region of Sydney, New South Wales, until it became extinct due to effects of colonisation. It is the traditional language of the Dharug people. The Dharug population has greatly diminished since the onset of colonisation. The term Eora language has sometimes been used to distinguish a coastal dialect from hinterland dialects, but there is no evidence that Aboriginal peoples ever used this term, which simply means "people". Some effort has been put into reviving a reconstructed form of the language.