Comments on: Language deficit in super-diversity

By: Flora Launay

Flora Launay — Sun, 15 Oct 2017 00:55:00 +0000

It is true that Sydney, to me eyes, is a super-diverse city in terms of cultures and languages. People who bring these beautiful languages and cultures are not locals, but “migrants” who, in the long-term become citizens or permanent residents. We can therefore say that these people are at least bilingual (English and their mother-tongue). However, locals, i.e. native Australians, are far from being multilingual. In fact, in your article entitled “How to solve Australia’s language crisis”, you mentioned that learning a foreign language was not compulsary in the Australian educational system.
This shows that media have different lenses through which they can look at the same topic. Depending on the lense they choose, the headlines might not be the same, and might even be contradictory.

By: Dwitiya Nugrahaeni

Dwitiya Nugrahaeni — Wed, 11 Oct 2017 07:05:00 +0000

It is fascinating to see that this article points out how language diversity is seen in the real world. It is sad, actually, that now we know that language diversity is only used by the media as “jewellery” to beautify their countries, where in fact, some people who are multilingual are discriminated just because they do not learn the languages through formal education. Multilingualism should be an asset both for the people and the countries. Critical evaluation such as this article is needed to raise the voice to the government to live the pride of having language diversity not only on the level of simply “having it” but also on what they have done to maximise this potential.

By: ROSE GARRY

ROSE GARRY — Fri, 08 Sep 2017 10:03:00 +0000

A multilingual society could be an interesting place to live in. Coming from a multilingual nation, it has been a personal interest to learn common phrases that capture locals admiration, interest and sense of belonging. In my experience, when a stranger speaks a bit of local language, it sets the stage with easiness to converse. During my first year teaching in another place, I tried my best to learn as much pragmatics and common sayings during that time and for certain occasions and with certain members of the communities. Gradually, learning the local dialect was more of an out of class activity. Each time when in a conversation as a participant or as an over hearer/eavesdropper I would always recite the same structure in my mind or say it silently. After several months, I was able to communicate quite well in the local language and felt a part of that community. I was also accepted as I valued the language and social norms.

By: Li Jia

Li Jia — Fri, 12 Sep 2014 01:32:39 +0000

Very interesting blog, Ingrid:)

Many thanks for this insightful point: the celebration of super-diversity in Anglophone countries is still ‘elite multilingualism’ whereas ‘grassroot multilingualism’ seems invisible in terms of material and psychic benefits.

Interestingly, my observation of multilingualism at borderlands seems a bit different from what has been highly valued and acknowledged by Anglophone countries. Two of my former students who are now teaching English in a border high school and a border university decide to advance their postgraduate study in Burmese language instead of English which they believe would not lead to better economic or social promotion. Interestingly, the ‘White’ appearance at the borderlands seems to be devalued when it comes to promote border products as ‘you don’t look like a Burman’ and Chinese appearance or White appearance won’t justify the authenticity and quality of border products.

By: The ‘either…or’ politics of language | Word Jazz

The ‘either…or’ politics of language | Word Jazz — Sun, 07 Sep 2014 10:35:10 +0000

[…] but a language other than English at home (Gibson, 2007). Interestingly, this gives rise to the paradox – also common to USA and Australia – of both second language deficiency and extreme […]

By: sofi Bai

sofi Bai — Sat, 23 Aug 2014 04:53:37 +0000

Behind the facade of superdiveristy, one powerful language always prevails in every corner.

By: Kimie Takahashi 高橋君江

Kimie Takahashi 高橋君江 — Sat, 23 Aug 2014 04:03:41 +0000

And try to speak languages other than English in public in those celebrated/celebrating multilingual cities, you could be subjected to the curious, if not punishing, gaze or even outright abuse, as reported here: http://languageonthemove.com/language-migration-social-justice/speak-english-or-die