Language and Aboriginal Culture in Australia: Linguistic Imperialism of English or Language Ecology

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
• 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
• 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
  • Hindrances to language maintenance in Australia
    • Insufficient funding
    • Problems of bilingual education
    • Staff turnover
    • Attendance and mobility

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.

• 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.

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.