Australian Indigenous Politics

1 Australian Indigenous Politics Introduction A large proportion of people in society agree to the fact that there is need to preserve some of the languages that are at a higher risk of becoming extinct. Linguists, for instance, point out that the risk of indigenous Australian languages drying out is higher as compared to other languages across the world (Wetzels 2007, p.1). As a result, they argue that there is critical need to preserve these languages. Adoption of western cultures by indigenous communities is believed to be the main factor that predisposes these communities as well as their languages to the risk of becoming extinct. Research has revealed that a large number of indigenous languages will become extinct in the near future. Most of these languages, as argued by linguists, will be replaced by languages such as English and Spanish that are widely used across the globe.

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2 Unless the rate at which mainstream languages are being taken on by the people not only in Australia, but also in other parts of the world is reversed, some local languages will be recorded as extinct in the next century. This paper through qualitative evaluation published work, journal articles and other legitimate sources is going to try and verify the authenticity of arguments by linguistics that indigenous Australian languages are a risk of becoming extinct and hence the need to preserve them.

Australian Indigenous Politics Research has revealed that approximately 90% of the world’s over 7,000 languages face the risk of being lost over the next century (ABC 2012). It has also been revealed that a large percentage of Australian aboriginal languages have been replaced by mainstream languages. Out of over 250 local languages, only 20 of these are still widely spoken today (ABC 2012).

Linguists argue that aboriginal languages should be recognized as part of national heritage as part of the main strategies to preserve them. It has also pointed out that Australia is the leading country as far as killing of local languages is concerned. Nevertheless, quite a number of strategies can be put in place to ensure that linguicide, which has existed in the country for long is dealt with effectively (ABC 2012). Linguists argue that despite some languages having died years back, there still remains some hope to revive them. Hebrew language is given as an example of a language that had almost become extinct over 2,000 years ago. The language was however revived in the 1880s and currently it is spoken by almost the whole of Israel’s populace (ABC 2012).

Sociologists and linguists argue that it is not understandable how more and more people are becoming concerned with the risk of animals and plants becoming extinct, yet they show little interest when languages and cultures are faced with the same risk. It is widely argued that

3 people who are devoid of language do not have cultural and intellectual in addition to heritage sovereignty. Research has made it clear that it is almost totally impossible for people who do not speak in traditional languages to express key aspects of their culture (Wetzels 2007, p. 2). In addition some vital parts of culture cannot be expressed using English and other modern day languages.

The younger generation which is largely known is taking on western cultures and modern day languages at a high rate are believed to have greatly contributed to the killing of indigenous languages. It has been revealed that in Australia a large proportion of younger people opt to speak in English (Ammon 2001, p. 15) and Torres Strait Creole rather than communicate in indigenous languages (Pennycook 2010, p. 106). As a result, traditional languages are not being passed on. It has been shown that most Aboriginal people are not aware that their languages still retain their strength and that a significant proportion of people still use them for communication.

Therefore, putting in effect strategies that can potentially preserve the aboriginal language will not only contribute to the preservation of culture, but will also contribute greatly to reliving the cultural security of the people. Simple strategies such as teaching the aboriginal languages in school can significantly contribute to the preservation of these languages. It has been shown that a large number of schools in Australia have incorporated Asian and western languages in their curriculum at the expense of aboriginal languages (Pennycook 2010, p. 106). Rather than help save the situation, the current curriculum only worsens an already bad situation. It plays an insignificant role in the preservation of the aboriginal languages as well as aboriginal culture.

Language is widely recognized as an important part of the people’s identity. It is thus argued that losing language may result in the loss of a large part of a people’s identity. Linguists

4 believe that people who have lost their language cannot express who they are let alone express their identity (Koenig et al 2002, p. 164).

The fact that Aboriginal people are experts as far as matters pertaining languages are concerned cannot be refuted. Prior to invasion of Australia by western communities, a significant proportion of the entire aboriginal populace was able to fluently speak in two or more languages.

Based on the fact that they had an oral culture, it was required of them to have an excellent remembering capacity (Scott 2009, p. 20). The western culture which mainly relies on the power of written word is believed to have negatively impacted on the capacity of aborigines to naturally recall vital aspects of their culture (Ammon 2001, p. 16). The aboriginal languages are an essential embodiment of acquaintance, identity and knowledge as well as cultural heritage. These languages are believed to be special to the aboriginals as well as to the Torres Strait Islander peoples.

Even though a large number of people have lost their language, it is important to note that it can still be acquired later in life. Despite language being acquired later in life, research has revealed that it still possesses the capacity to inculcate a sense of belonging and cultural security.

Linguists recognize language as the foundation of the people, their power as well as the root that holds them closer together. Besides being law and justice to the people, language is believed to be a source of comfort and pride to the people and therefore there is need to preserve it (Pennycook 2010, p. 105).

Conclusion It can therefore be concluded that indigenous languages in Australia are at a higher risk of becoming extinct and as such there is need to put into effect strategies that can enhance their preservation. A large percentage of Australian aboriginal languages have been replaced by

5 mainstream languages. Out of over 250 local languages, only 20 of these are still widely spoken today. Failure to preserve the remaining languages will result in their becoming extinct over the next few centuries. Aboriginal languages still retain their strength and a significant proportion of people still use them for communication.

6 List of References ABC, 2012. Call to protect dying Indigenous languages. [online] Available at: http://www.abc.net.au/news/2012-04-10/linguists-say-indigenous-languages-dying-out/ 3940466/?site=indigenous&topic=latest [Accessed 28 April 2012] Ammon, U., 2001, The dominance of English as a language of science: Effects on other languages and language communities. New York, NY: Walter de Gruyter.

Koenig, M., et al 2002, The impact of government policies on territorially based ethnic or nationalist movements. International Journal on Multicultural Societies (IJMS), 4(2), pp.

148-270.

Pennycook, A., 2010, Language as a local practice. New York, NY: Taylor & Francis.

Scott, J.C., 2009, Affirming students' right to their own language: bridging language policies and pedagogical practices. New York, NY: Taylor & Francis.

Wetzels, L., 2007, Language endangerment and endangered languages: Linguistic and anthropological studies with special emphasis on the languages and cultures of the Andean-Amazonian border area. Mahwah, NJ: CNWS Publications.