Perspectives on the Role of Elders in Intergenerational Language Transmission in Australian Aboriginal Language Communities

December 5, 2017 2 Comments latl

ITML3

Amy Budrikis

University of Western Australia

CC BY 4.0

Cite as: Budrikis, A. (2017, December). Perspectives on the Role of Elders in Intergenerational Language Transmission in Australian Aboriginal Language Communities. Paper presented at the Third UC Intergenerational Transmission of Minority Languages Symposium: Challenges and Benefits. https://doi.org/10.6084/m9.figshare.5667136

SCROLL DOWN TO END OF PAGE FOR COMMENTS

In the literature on language shift, intergenerational language transmission within the family is often presented as the crucial element for language vitality; where the family unit doesn’t use the language every day, language communities are doing little more than ‘biding time’ (Fishman 1991). However for many Australian Aboriginal language communities this key element has been and continues to be disrupted by the policies and practices of colonisation, including the forced removal of children from their families.

My PhD research looks at the perspectives of semi-speakers of Australian Aboriginal languages, who have experienced disrupted language transmission, on the question of reinstating intergenerational language transmission. Using interviews from four West Australian communities, I present some initial findings about semi-speakers’ ideologies and experiences regarding the roles of Elders in language transmission, including 1) Elders as language experts; 2) Elders as the leaders of language revival; and 3) ‘reverse’ language transmission from grandchild to grandparent. I discuss how these perspectives may contribute to the reinstatement of intergenerational transmission, but also how they may contribute to other community-led ways of keeping language strong.

COMMENTS (2)

Kerry Taylor-Leech 6 years ago

Hi Amy,

Thanks for an interesting, thought-provoking and original presentation. I had a couple of thoughts as I was listening. First, were the Elders you spoke of proficient speakers of their languages? It would seem not in all cases. I ask because I was wondering just how much language a young child could reasonably share with an older relative, beyond the level of basic vocabulary, and therefore just how strong a role reverse language transmission might play in revitalising a language for someone who is already a semi-speaker. I can see that reverse language transmission would be just one part of a repertoire of revitalisation strategies that communities might be able to draw on.
In terms of awareness raising, the sharing idea is empowering and takes the focus off white, Anglo academic linguists as the main language experts.

Best wishes, Kerry

Amy Budrikis 6 years ago

Hi Kerry,

Thank you so much for your comments. Yes, you’re quite right, many of the Elders referred to in this research are not proficient speakers – it’s possible for their proficiency to be surpassed by students learning language in school. However it’s also true that I am using the word ‘transmission’ in the broadest sense to be as inclusive as possible, so that passing on a few words of language that can support culture and identity (for example, vocabulary relating to kin) is as much ‘transmission’ as passing on ‘enough’ language to support linguistic fluency. The focus here is on the paths of transmission, not the objects or goal of transmission – but I will need to refine this further as my research develops.

Best,

Amy

Perspectives on the Role of Elders in Intergenerational Language Transmission in Australian Aboriginal Language Communities

COMMENTS (2)

LEAVE A REPLY CANCEL REPLY