Linguistics

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Browsing Linguistics by Author "Amery, R.M."

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    A linguistic tsunami: an early warning system for languages at risk
    (Syiah Kuala University, 2015) Aziz, Z.; Amery, R.M.; 5th Annual International Conference Syiah Kuala University (AIC Unsyiah 2015) (9 Sep 2015 - 11 Sep 2015 : Banda Aceh, Indonesia)
    The world’s languages are in crisis and linguists estimate that between 50 and 90% will disappear before the end of this century (Grenoble, 2012). As a result of colonisation, nationalism, urbanisation and globalisation, a linguistic tsunami has been unleashed, with a handful of major world languages swamping others. The rate of language loss today is unprecedented as this small number of dominant languages rapidly expand. Small minority languages are most at risk, but even large regional languages, such as Acehnese with millions of speakers, are not safe. As in the case of a tsunami resulting from an earthquake, typically it is too late before speakers realize what is happening. Language shift is often already well-progressed and irreversible before people are aware of it. In this paper we investigate the early warning signs of imminent language shift and what we can do so that minority languages have the best chance of survival. We draw on the local situation in Aceh, as well as other parts of the Austronesian speaking world and Australia, where the record of language loss is the worst anywhere in the world. Language shift in Australia is well-progressed (NILS I, 2005; Marmion et al, 2014). In Indonesia it is more recent. Lessons learned from places like Australia and Taiwan have relevance for Indonesia today.
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    Having it both ways: towards recognition of the Kaurna language movement within the community and within the university sector
    (Foundation for Endangered Languages, 2013) Amery, R.M.; Buckskin, J.; Foundation for Endangered Languages (1 Oct 2013 - 4 Oct 2013 : Carleton University, Ottawa, Canada)
    Kaurna, the Indigenous language of the Adelaide Plains in South Australia, was a sleeping language until its reclamation and re-introduction in the 1990s. Most likely it had not been spoken on a daily basis since the 1860s. It is now being revived on the basis of nineteenth century written documentation in the absence of sound recordings. The Kaurna language movement is unusual in the Australian context in that it is driven by a long-standing, but poorly defined and largely unrecognised, partnership embodied in Kaurna Warra Pintyanthi (KWP), which operates between the Kaurna community and the tertiary sector. This partnership has hinged on Amery’s relationship with Kaurna Elders and youth, involvement in many aspects of Kaurna language reclamation and its re-introduction, and his employment as an academic at the University of Adelaide. A series of projects funded by the Commonwealth Government, state government Department of Education and Child Development, local governments and donations have been run through the University. KWP also engages directly with the public, schools and a wide range of institutional clients in addressing their requests for Kaurna names, translations and information. Up to ten or even fifteen such requests may be tabled at the regular monthly KWP meeting. Recently this partnership has been immensely strengthened through a triennial grant from the Commonwealth Indigenous Languages Support (ILS) program that has funded the employment of key Kaurna people, Buckskin and Goldsmith, by the University. This has initiated a new phase and a window of opportunity for the Kaurna language movement. KWP is using this opportunity to establish an incorporated body, Miyurna Warra Karrpanthi (MWK), which will act as a sister community-based organisation to work alongside KWP. This will strengthen the language movement within the Kaurna community. At the same time KWP, which is based within the University of Adelaide, is seeking to clarify and formalise its relationship with the University through a Memorandum of Agreement. All members of KWP are well aware of the vulnerability of the Kaurna language movement, dependent as it is on government grants, goodwill and voluntary effort, and are actively pursuing strategies to make the language movement sustainable over the long term. Formal agreements, the strengthening of an organisation that operates within the tertiary institution and the establishment of an organisation that operates outside the tertiary institution are part of that strategy.