Michigan State University Extension
Diversity and Pluralism - 11180221
12/95/
ERIC TITLE NUMBER: ED321554 AUTHOR: Baldauf, Richard B., Jr.
TITLE: New Beginnings for Language Policy: Australia and
the
United States.
YEAR PUBLISHED: 1990
NOTE: 23 p.; Revised version of a paper presented at the
Annual Meeting of the Rocky Mountain Regional Teachers of
English to Speakers of Other Languages (January 26, 1990).
ABSTRACT: The following similarities exist between the
language situations of the United States and Australia: (1)
both countries have developed and prospered through
overseas immigration; (2) until recently, neither country
has had a "de jure" official language, only a "de facto"
one built around English; (3) in both countries indigenous
languages have been badly neglected; and (4) the changing
linguistic makeup of both countries has recently created
pressures for reappraisal of language policy development.
However, the two countries have taken different approaches
to multilingualism and language policy development, due to
the following dissimilarities: ethnic revival affected
Australia and the U.S. at different stages of their
development; the United States War of Independence
symbolizes its national unity and identity, while the idea
of Australia as a nation is recent; Australia has great
language diversity, with none predominant in any community;
and decision-making is more centralized in education and
related domains in Australia. The 1980s have seen new
beginnings for language policy in both countries. The
United States has been examining either/or exclusive
policies (English-speaking vs. foreign speaking) while
Australia has embarked on an inclusive multicultural
policy. Political influences will shape the final policies.
In Australia, a united effort of ethnic communities and
language professionals has had an important impact on
policy development. (MSE)
KEY DESCRIPTORS: Comparative-Analysis; Foreign-Countries;
Official-Languages; Policy-Formation; Political-Influences
KEY DESCRIPTORS: *Cultural-Pluralism; *Language-Planning;
*Language-Role; *Multilingualism-; *Public-Policy
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