Approximately only 20 of the original 250 languages still remain strong today and about 12% of Indigenous people speak these languages at home. Specific regional languages or creoles have evolved from early communications between two cultures,
Many Indigenous people throughout Australia use ‘Aboriginal English’. Aboriginal English is distinctive in its vocabulary, grammar and underlying concepts.
Standard Australian English and Aboriginal English both conform to complex language rules. Standard Australian English is an institutionalised variety of
English – which is what makes it ‘standard'.
What’s different about Aboriginal English?
All language conveys and determines world-views.
Aboriginal English reflects particular ways of seeing and understanding the world.
Aboriginal English uses different rules determining how and when to speak, as well as how to behave in different communication contexts.
Aboriginal English recognises different meanings of some standard English words.
Aboriginal English has rules that generate different word and sentence forms from those in Standard English.
Aboriginal English has conventions and genres that differ from other ways of using English.
Dispelling some myths
Myth: Allowing students to use their home English in class will impede their learning of Standard English.
Research in this area demonstrates that this is not the case. On the contrary, it increases attendance and participation.
Myth: We should not recognise Aboriginal English because it is just a dialect.
Standard Australian English is also a dialect. All dialects are inherently equal in terms of linguistic structure and complexity. Disregarding a person’s language can represent a powerful way of disregarding the person. It can seriously marginalise people from the prevailing culture. Proficiency in a first dialect is relevant to proficiency in the second dialect.
Myth: Aboriginal English speakers have lower literacy levels because of low ability.
If the style and context of language used in school is different from that used in the home, it will usually take longer to learn the ‘school’s version’.
Myth: The more students are exposed to Standard Australian English, the more they will learn it.
Learning a second language involves more than exposure. When home language is respected students’ learn Standard Australian English.
Myth: Learning standard English literacy will empower Indigenous people.
Indigenous educators advocate dual linguistic competence. Empowerment of Indigenous students is supported by having Indigenous language and culture incorporated and respected within the school’s curriculum and ethos.
What does help?
Have high expectations of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students – your expectations will contribute to outcomes.
Be sensitive to the complexities of learning a second language or dialect.
Expect students to transfer knowledge of their first language or dialect as they are learning a second.
Respecting home language - Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities want their young people to be strong in both Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander and non-Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander ways.
Affirming home language encourages participation and engagement.
Cultivating and encouraging Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander ways of approaching experience and knowledge will benefit both Indigenous and non-Indigenous students.
Critically analyse language and its functions generally.
My Language: an Indigenous perspective
Approximately only 20 of the original 250 languages still remain strong today and about 12% of Indigenous people speak these languages at home. Specific regional languages or creoles have evolved from early communications between two cultures,
Many Indigenous people throughout Australia use ‘Aboriginal English’. Aboriginal English is distinctive in its vocabulary, grammar and underlying concepts.
Standard Australian English and Aboriginal English both conform to complex language rules. Standard Australian English is an institutionalised variety of
English – which is what makes it ‘standard'.
What’s different about Aboriginal English?
All language conveys and determines world-views.
Dispelling some myths
Myth: Allowing students to use their home English in class will impede their learning of Standard English.
Research in this area demonstrates that this is not the case. On the contrary, it increases attendance and participation.
Myth: We should not recognise Aboriginal English because it is just a dialect.
Standard Australian English is also a dialect. All dialects are inherently equal in terms of linguistic structure and complexity. Disregarding a person’s language can represent a powerful way of disregarding the person. It can seriously marginalise people from the prevailing culture. Proficiency in a first dialect is relevant to proficiency in the second dialect.
Myth: Aboriginal English speakers have lower literacy levels because of low ability.
If the style and context of language used in school is different from that used in the home, it will usually take longer to learn the ‘school’s version’.
Myth: The more students are exposed to Standard Australian English, the more they will learn it.
Learning a second language involves more than exposure. When home language is respected students’ learn Standard Australian English.
Myth: Learning standard English literacy will empower Indigenous people.
Indigenous educators advocate dual linguistic competence. Empowerment of Indigenous students is supported by having Indigenous language and culture incorporated and respected within the school’s curriculum and ethos.
What does help?