Re-awakening Languages

The Indigenous languages of Australia have been undergoing a renaissance over recent decades. Many languages that had long ceased to be heard in public and consequently deemed 'dead' or 'extinct', have begun to emerge.

Geographically and linguistically isolated, revitalisers of Indigenous Australian languages have often struggled to find guidance for their circumstances, unaware of the others walking a similar path. In this context Re-awakening languagesseeks to provide the first comprehensive snapshot of the actions and aspirations of Indigenous people and their supporters for the revitalisation of Australian languages in the twenty-first century.

The contributions to this volume describe the satisfactions and tensions of this ongoing struggle. They also draw attention to the need for effective planning and strong advocacy at the highest political and administrative levels, if language revitalisation in Australia is to be successful and people's efforts are to have longevity.

“'Re-awakening Languages has a very broad scope but it also has enough detail to be useful to many specific interests. It is an excellent introduction to the current issues around Australian Indigenous languages. It would be particularly valuable to managers in the various education systems who have too often demonstrated rather limited understanding of this area.'”

'Re-awakening Languages has a very broad scope but it also has enough detail to be useful to many specific interests. It is an excellent introduction to the current issues around Australian Indigenous languages. It would be particularly valuable to managers in the various education systems who have too often demonstrated rather limited understanding of this area.' -- John Henderson The Australian Journal of Indigenous Education

About the editors:

John Hobson is a lecturer in Indigenous education at the University of Sydney.
Kevin Lowe is a post doctoral research fellow at Macquarie University.
Susan Poetsch is a lecturer in Indigenous education at the University of Sydney.
Michael Walsh is an honorary associate of linguistics at the University of Sydney.

The Indigenous languages of Australia have been undergoing a renaissance over recent decades. Many languages that had long ceased to be heard in public and consequently deemed 'dead' or 'extinct', have begun to emerge. Geographically and linguistically isolated, revitalisers of Indigenous Australian languages have often struggled to find guidance for their circumstances, unaware of the others walking a similar path. In this context Re-awakening languages seeks to provide the first comprehensive snapshot of the actions and aspirations of Indigenous people and their supporters for the revitalisation of Australian languages in the twenty-first century. The contributions to this volume describe the satisfactions and tensions of this ongoing struggle. They also draw attention to the need for effective planning and strong advocacy at the highest political and administrative levels, if language revitalisation in Australia is to be successful and people's efforts are to have longevity.

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