Only a handful of the two hundred Aboriginal languages of Australia have been provided with detailed and professional linguistic descriptions. Ngiyambaa, from central New South Wales, shows important differences from languages in other parts of the continent, and demonstrates typological features that will be of interest to all linguists who are concerned with the study of universals or with the refinement of linguistic theory. Dr Donaldson's grammar is comprehensive, and particular attention is paid to certain topics at each level of description. The system of complex sentence types is carefully explored; and so are the functions of the numerous particles that link sentences to the contexts in which they are used. The volume is therefore an important contribution to Australian linguistics and to linguistic theory in general. In addition to the many examples supporting the analysis, the volume concludes with a selection of texts and song words that together offer the reader an insight into an Aboriginal culture and a glimpse of its past.
