Sinophone Australia

This project involves the identification and translation of texts from the beginning of the Victorian gold rush to the establishment of relations between Australia and the People’s Republic of China in 1972. Recognising the importance of providing these sources for Anglophone Australians, we will continue to publish translations related to this history and make historical sources accessible on the Internet.

Examining a variety of Chinese sources for his book Big White Lie, John Fitzgerald found that: ‘These Chinese-language sources offer, I would suggest, a new perspective on Australian history’ (2007, x). Australian history is multilingual and multifaceted, and Fitzgerald’s suggestion only touches on the various perspectives that can be uncovered when silenced works are brought to light.

As always, make sure to click on the PDF version of the translation to see a version with footnotes and full references. Please cite our translators and our website when using this material. All translations are protected under Creative Commons 4.0