Recent years have seen a groundswell of support for the recognition of Australian Indigenous languages, but the future of many of these languages is in doubt.

Into this environment comes a new Parliamentary report making recommendations for their teaching and promotion. What’s in the report? Will it help maintain Australian languages?

Linguist Daniel Midgley tells all on this episode of Talk the Talk.


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88: Our Land, Our Languages

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Show notes

The report:
http://www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentary_Business/Committees/House_of_Representatives_Committees?url=/atsia/languages2/report.htm

Claire’s reaction at Fully [sic]
http://blogs.crikey.com.au/fullysic/2012/09/21/our-land-our-languages-and-preserving-our-heritage/

Australian PM describes learning English as a “responsibility”, or some kind of “Australian value” or something.
http://www.smh.com.au/national/gillard-defends-nations-diversity-20120919-267d7.html

Actually, immigrants are doing a great job learning English.
http://www.abs.gov.au/websitedbs/censushome.nsf/home/CO-60?opendocument&navpos=620

Now where have I heard this meme before? That’s right; John Howard.
http://www.jihadwatch.org/2006/09/aussie-pm-wont-apologize-for-telling-muslims-they-should-adopt-australian-values.html