Dictionaries Fund

For 1000s of years, this continent awoke to the sounds of 250 diverse languages being spoken. In just over two centuries, over 50% of these languages have been silenced.

Now 1 to 2 languages are lost every year.

The preservation of languages is critical to strengthening the cultures, identities, and wellbeing of Indigenous Australians. Dictionaries play an important role in language preservation and revitalisation, both in schools and communities.

It takes generations of communities and teams of academics to create dictionaries. Dictionaries safeguard more than just words. They can hold detailed encyclopaedic information about plants, animals and cultural practices as well as grammar guides.

Your tax-deductible donation to the AIATSIS Foundation will support communities to publish their Australian language dictionaries and share this knowledge with the world.

To learn more, visit the AIATSIS website.