This paper is about linguistic imperialism and linguistic ecology in respect of the indigenous languages of Australia. The linguistic complexities in Australia are immense, as are the fields of research of linguistic imperialism and linguistic ecology. Neither is the research in the fields mentioned above terminated nor has the development in Australia reached an end. As a result, the paper is only able to provide a snapshot.
The first chapter serves as an introduction. The reader should familiarize her-/ himself with the history and culture of a people, which is unique and distinct from any other civilization. It refers to the initial settlement of the Australian continent, as well as it touches in short specific traits of Aboriginal culture. Answers are provided to questions like, ‘What is language?’, ‘What are the characteristics of Aboriginal languages and Aboriginal English?’
Linguistic imperialism will be discussed in chapter two. From what point on can a relationship between any given subjects be called, in its widest meaning, imperialistic? The chapter refers to Galtung (1980), whose observations are still valid today and gives a historical overview of the rise of the English language from a European Germanic language spoken on the British Islands to a global language, especially focusing on the development in the 19th and 20th century.
Linguistic ecology is a rather new field of research in linguistics. Chapter three reflects on a research orientation which developed in the 1960s and 1970s due to Haugen, who gave the term ecology a linguistic meaning. It tries to show the parallels between biodiversity and cultural/ linguistic diversity and why it has become so important to be aware that not only plants and animals are seriously endangered and need special protection, but also languages. Additionally, other fields of interest of language ecology are introduced in the chapter.
The last chapter deals with the impact European settlement had on indigenous language variety, and the problems contemporary Australian society is confronted with. Australia’s language policy will not only be outlined in regard of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander’s native tongue, but also in regard of community languages. Which possibilities has the Australian government to deal with the problem and which language maintenance efforts have been called into action so far?
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Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)
- Introduction
- Australian Aborigines
- Settlement of the Australian Continent
- Aboriginal Culture
- Dreamtime
- Family
- Death
- Language
- Structural Similarity
- Mutual Intelligibility
- Standardization
- Aboriginal languages of Australia
- Language names
- Relations with languages outside Australia
- Grammatical characteristics
- Aboriginal English
- Structural properties of Aboriginal English
- Grammatical Features
- Phonological Features
- Lexical Features
- Criteria distinguishing Aboriginal English from Creoles
- Structural properties of Aboriginal English
- Linguistic Imperialism
- The principles of imperialism
- Power
- Correlations
- Exertion
- Physical force
- Psychological force
- The Centre - Periphery Concept
- The Stages of Development
- Linguistic Imperialism
- A definition of linguistic imperialism
- Mechanisms of validation
- Ethnocentricity (Anglocentricity)
- Professionalism
- Pro-English arguments
- English Language Education
- Colonial educational language policy
- English Language Education in the early 20th Century
- English Language Teaching - Five tenets
- English Language Promotion
- Language Promotion in Britain - the British Council
- Language Promotion in the United States
- The role of the English language in the present world
- The principles of imperialism
- Linguistic Ecology
- Introduction
- Ecology of language
- Biological, cultural and linguistic diversity
- The interdependency of biodiversity, cultural and linguistic diversity
- An argument for linguistic diversity
- Language and identity
- Arguments against linguistic diversity
- Cost and efficiency
- One nation - one state - one language?
- Endangered Languages
- Linguistic Genocide
- Linguistic Human Rights - Historical Overview
- Other fields of interest
- Language and Ethology
- Language and Conflict
- Ethnic Conflict in Sociology
- Political Language Conflict
- Glottophagia - a threat to multilingualism
- Solving conflict situations
- Australia – Taking a closer look
- Language politics of the Australian nation
- Language politics in regard of 'community languages'
- Language politics in regard to Aboriginal languages
- The early years and the 'crunch period'
- The beginning of recognition and support
- Resurgence in Aboriginal language awareness and language maintenance
- The state of language vitality
- Factors contributing to language loss
- Radical reduction in the number of speakers
- The 'stolen generation'
- Patterns of resettlement
- Breakdown in isolation
- Urbanisation
- Increased intermarriage
- Changes in economy and values
- Media
- Education
- Speaker attitudes
- Factors contributing to language survival
- Language pride
- Language as a symbol of identity
- Geographical and social isolation
- The outstation movement
- Language maintenance programs
- Language maintenance programs in Australia
- Influencing factors
- State of language health
- Availability of skills and resources
- Community interest and support
- Language centres
- Bilingual education
- Aboriginal language courses
- Literacy
- Oral history projects
- The outstation/homeland movement
- Indigenous tertiary education
- Organisations supporting Aboriginal languages
- Influencing factors
- Hindrances to language maintenance in Australia
- Insufficient funding
- Problems of bilingual education
- Staff turnover
- Attendance and mobility
- Language politics of the Australian nation
- The historical development of Aboriginal languages and their current state of vitality.
- The influence of English language education and promotion in Australia.
- The concepts of linguistic imperialism and language ecology in the context of Australia.
- Factors contributing to language loss and survival among Aboriginal communities.
- The role of government policies and community initiatives in language maintenance and revitalization.
Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)
This scientific examination paper explores the relationship between language and Aboriginal culture in Australia, specifically investigating whether English has exerted a form of linguistic imperialism or whether a more balanced "language ecology" exists. The paper delves into the historical context of Aboriginal languages and the impact of colonization on their survival, examining both the challenges and opportunities faced in preserving these languages.
Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)
The first chapter sets the stage by providing an overview of Australian Aborigines, their culture, and their languages. It explores the historical settlement of the Australian continent, examines key features of Aboriginal culture, and delves into the unique characteristics of Aboriginal languages, including their structural similarities, mutual intelligibility, and standardization. The chapter also explores the development of Aboriginal English as a distinct variety of the English language.
Chapter two focuses on the concept of linguistic imperialism, defining its principles and exploring its mechanisms, particularly in the context of English language education and promotion. It examines the historical development of English language education in Australia, highlighting the dominant role of English and its potential impact on the survival of Aboriginal languages.
Chapter three introduces the framework of linguistic ecology, exploring the concept of language diversity and its importance. It analyzes the arguments for and against linguistic diversity, focusing on issues such as language and identity, cost and efficiency, and the threat of language loss. The chapter also discusses the concept of linguistic genocide and the historical development of linguistic human rights.
Chapter four provides a detailed analysis of the language situation in Australia, focusing specifically on the challenges and opportunities for Aboriginal language maintenance. It examines various factors contributing to language loss, such as the 'stolen generation,' resettlement patterns, and the impact of media and education. The chapter also highlights factors contributing to language survival, such as language pride, social isolation, and the outstation movement.
Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)
The primary keywords and themes explored in this work include: Aboriginal languages, linguistic imperialism, language ecology, language loss, language maintenance, bilingual education, language policy, cultural diversity, linguistic human rights, indigenous education, and the Australian context.
- Quote paper
- Oliver Roeder (Author), 2000, Language and Aboriginal Culture in Australia: Linguistic Imperialism of English or Language Ecology, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.hausarbeiten.de/document/8100
