Hermann Koeler's Adelaide: Observations on the Language and Culture of South Australia by the First German Visitor
Edited by Peter Mühlhäusler

Year of publication: 2006
ISBN: 0958596220

RRP: $AUS 30.00

In 1837 and 1838 the German ship's doctor Hermann Koeler, spent about nine months in the young colony of South Australia. His idiosyncratic but detailed account of people, language and customs has remained unnoticed by Australian scholars.

This book brings together a translation of Koeler's texts and two explanatory essays on the early contact history and linguistic situation.

The book will appeal to both the general public interested in life in early South Australia, and academic historians and linguists who will find a wealth of new information.

Peter Mühlhäusler is the Foundation Professor of Linguistics at The University of Adelaide and a Supernumerary Fellow of Linacre College, Oxford. He has worked on Pacific and Australian contact languages, language maintenance and history of linguistic research since 1974 and has been instrumental in promoting Kaurna research and teaching at his university.