# Bayala Dharug — Dharug language resource

> Dharug language learning resource with words, sentences, audio, and images. (iPhone/iPad app by Sarah Bock.)

- Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/bayala-dharug/id6746776222 (this page in markdown: same URL + `.md`)
- Developer: [Sarah Bock](https://appshunter.io/developer/518964388)
- Category: Education, Reference
- Price: Free
- Rating: 5.00/5 from 1 App Store ratings · 3 written reviews indexed
- Age rating: 4+
- Requires: iOS 13.0 · 89 MB
- Languages: American English
- Released: 2025-06-04
- Data updated: 2026-08-17
- Monetization: free
- User reviews in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/bayala-dharug/id6746776222/reviews.md

## What is Bayala Dharug?

Bayala Aboriginal Corporation has designed this app to assist with the important cultural obligation of Dharug language revival. The Bayala Dharug app is shared in spirit with other Dharug community members and their much wider circle of allies.
 
The development of this Bayala Dharug app has been supported by the Australian Institute for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies (AIATSIS), Elearn Australia and Western Sydney University.

Dharug Dhalang 'Dharug language', sometimes spelled Darug and Dharruk, is also known as the Sydney Language. Dharug was spoken across much of the Sydney basin, from the Hawkesbury to the Georges River and from the Blue Mountains to the sea. As Dharug Country was the site of the first English colony, intergenerational language transmission of Dharug was disrupted early and severely. Consequently, the Dharug community has been on a journey of language revitalisation. 

Language revival is a long road. Bayala Aboriginal Corporation shares in a cultural responsibility for nurturing our shared Dharug language and informing Sydneysiders about the traditional language of Sydney and the protocols for using it. This responsibility is equally important as looking after Country and Community. The Bayala Aboriginal Corporation is championing Dharug language learning and teaching, researching and publishing activities. This care for our language has been inspired by Dharug people who led Dharug language work including Aunty Edna Watson and Richard Green.

The Bayala Dharug app has been developed as an accessible language learning resource which adds to an ever-growing suite of Dharug language revival materials. The Bayala Dharug app is intended for individual and personal use to enable Dharug language learning. The app should be used in contexts such as family language learning, shared language learning between community members, private language learning by students and so forth. The Bayala Dharug app does not replace Dharug language programs for the community, in preschool, school, TAFE or university. Permission must be sought from copyright holders Bayala Aboriginal Corporation for public use of any and all elements contained in the app, including images and sound files (see Terms of Use). 

The Bayala Dharug app is a rich and living Dharug language learning resource and a reliable source of Dharug language information. It currently provides over 500 individual entries for Dharug words and sentences, with explanations, recordings and images. This initial language offering will be regularly updated and expanded by the Bayala Aboriginal Corporation to facilitate access to Dharug Dhalang and the language resources it develops ongoingly through its teaching and research activities.

The app shares Dharug language knowledge that has been built up through contemporary Dharug teaching and researching endeavours. The focus on Dharug sentences enables Dharug language learners to move beyond single words and into becoming conversational and using the language more communicatively. Each item in the app provides a model of how Dharug language is said and written, and how Dharug sentences are assembled. The app enables all Dharug language learners to sing from the same language song sheet, respecting the language and fostering communication and mutual comprehension. 

Acknowledgements (in alphabetical order):
Illustrations: Corina Norman, Jasmine Seymour, Leanne Watson, Rhiannon Wright. 
Sound recordings: Corina Norman, Debbie Smith, Jasmine Seymour, Lani Barnes, Leanne King, Leanne Watson, Libby Coplin, Rhiannon Wright and Richard Torning.

## Key features

- Over 500 Dharug words and sentences
- Audio recordings for pronunciation
- Explanations and context
- Supporting images
- Regular updates and expansions
- Accessible language learning tool

## Recent user reviews (3 of 3)

All indexed reviews: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/bayala-dharug/id6746776222/reviews.md

### 5/5 — Thank you

*2025-07-02, version 1.0.2*

Thank you to the developers of this excellent app and to the Blue Mountains Gazette for spreading the (Dharug) word!

### 5/5 — Helped me learn more phrases in dharug

*2025-06-19, version 1.0.2*

Everyone should download now for free, 100% worth it

### 5/5 — Very Useful

*2025-06-19, version 1.0.2*

I love the way this app is structured, as well as the support it provides if I struggle

## Frequently asked questions about Bayala Dharug

### What is Bayala Dharug?

Bayala Dharug is a free educational app designed to assist with the revival and learning of the Dharug language, the traditional language of the Sydney basin. It provides a rich collection of words, sentences, audio, and images to support language learners.

### What kind of content does Bayala Dharug offer?

Bayala Dharug currently offers over 500 individual entries for Dharug words and sentences. Each entry includes explanations, audio recordings for pronunciation, and relevant images to enhance the learning experience.

### Who developed Bayala Dharug?

The Bayala Dharug app was developed by Bayala Aboriginal Corporation with support from the Australian Institute for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies (AIATSIS), Elearn Australia, and Western Sydney University. The app is shared in spirit with Dharug community members and their allies.

### How often is Bayala Dharug updated?

The initial language offering in Bayala Dharug will be regularly updated and expanded by the Bayala Aboriginal Corporation. This ongoing development facilitates continued access to Dharug language resources through their teaching and research activities.

### Is Bayala Dharug suitable for beginners?

Yes, Bayala Dharug is intended for individual and personal use to enable Dharug language learning. It is designed as an accessible language learning resource that can be used in contexts such as family learning or private study.

### Does Bayala Dharug replace formal language programs?

No, Bayala Dharug does not replace Dharug language programs offered in preschools, schools, TAFE, or universities. It serves as a supplementary resource to existing community language programs.

### Can I use Bayala Dharug offline?

The provided data does not specify offline functionality for Bayala Dharug. However, as a language resource with audio and images, it is likely to require an internet connection for full access to all features.

### What is the age rating for Bayala Dharug?

Bayala Dharug has an age rating of 4+, making it suitable for young learners and individuals of all ages interested in the Dharug language.

## Version history (last 5 releases)

### 1.0.5 — 2026-08-13

New entries, ability to reset favourites

### 1.0.4 — 2026-07-07

New entries, sort word filter alphabetically

### 1.0.3 — 2026-06-11

New phrases

### 1.0.2 — 2025-06-16

New phrases

### 1.0.1 — 2025-06-06

Hide speaker filter

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## More apps by Sarah Bock

- [LearningPathways YolŋuBalanda](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/learningpathways-yolubalanda/id6446009290)
- [Kuuku Ngaachiku](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/kuuku-ngaachiku/id6446100982)

All apps by Sarah Bock: https://appshunter.io/developer/518964388

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*Data collected daily from the US App Store and indexed by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/). User reviews are verbatim App Store reviews. Ratings, prices and chart positions refresh continuously; this snapshot is from 2026-08-17.*
