Aboriginal Language Research Paper

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Many Aboriginal languages are lost due to government policy which was in place up until 1970. Government policies at the time banned and discouraged Aboriginal people speaking their own languages.
These policies impacted Aboriginal people, their culture and identity and in particular the stolen generation. Speaking language was also banned in schools , missions & reserves. It was also thought at the time that some Aboriginal parents discouraged their children in speaking language for fear of holding them back.
Early attempts to document Aboriginal languages usually focused on simply words for novel items such as weapons and animals. The loss of Aboriginal language had a devastating impact on Aboriginal culture and identity. With the arrival …show more content…

Language is integral in affirming and maintaining wellbeing, self esteem and a strong sense of identity. Languages contain complex understandings of a person’s culture and their connection with their land.

Language is central to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures. The two are intertwined. Language describes cultural attachment to place, cultural heritage items, and puts meaning within the many cultural activities that people do. Furthermore, language plays a fundamental part in binding communities together as a culture, and individuals to each other in a society.

There is a wealth of evidence that supports the positive associations of health, education and employment outcomes as well as general wellbeing with language and culture. Aboriginal languages keep people connected to culture and this strengthens feelings of pride and self worth.

A better understanding and recognition of Aboriginal languages will assist in the process of reconciliation between Aboriginal and non Aboriginal Australians. Raising the profile of Aboriginal languages through interpreters for government interaction in sectors such as health, legal and education can be beneficial to both Aboriginal and non Aboriginal

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