Introduction to the languages of the traditional and modern Indigenous societies of Australia. History of research on Australian languages. Language and territoriality. Main characteristics of the sounds and grammar of Australian languages (including some learning of one of the traditional languages). Vocabulary and semantic structure (especially kinship and placenames), and how these reflect the physical, social, and cultural environments of the speakers. Speech use and etiquette, including specialised codes and respect language. The impact of English on traditional languages: borrowing, language reduction, loss and shift. New varieties of language: pidgins, creoles (some Northern Territory Kriol will be learned), and Aboriginal English. Language reclamation and revitalisation. Language and education: policy, bilingual education, etc. Language and the law, including land rights and Native Title.
Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion, students will have the knowledge and skills to:
To gain a relatively non-technical understanding of the nature and role of language in traditional and post-contact Australian Indigenous society.
Indicative Assessment
3 exercises (30%), a 2500 word essay (40%), and a 1500-word critical report on a topic other than that of the essay (30%)
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Workload
26 hours of lectures and 7 tutorial hours. Graduate students attend joint classes with undergraduates but have a different assessment pattern. Expect to devote two hours outside of class for each hour of class.
Requisite and Incompatibility
Preliminary Reading
Use resources of the AIATSIS library http://www.aiatsis.gov.au/library
Assumed Knowledge
No prior linguistic knowledge is assumed.
Specialisations
Fees
Tuition fees are for the academic year indicated at the top of the page.
If you are a domestic graduate coursework or international student you will be required to pay tuition fees. Tuition fees are indexed annually. Further information for domestic and international students about tuition and other fees can be found at Fees.
- Student Contribution Band:
- 1
- Unit value:
- 6 units
If you are an undergraduate student and have been offered a Commonwealth supported place, your fees are set by the Australian Government for each course. At ANU 1 EFTSL is 48 units (normally 8 x 6-unit courses). You can find your student contribution amount for each course at Fees. Where there is a unit range displayed for this course, not all unit options below may be available.
| Units | EFTSL |
|---|---|
| 6.00 | 0.12500 |
Course fees
- Domestic fee paying students
| Year | Fee |
|---|---|
| 2015 | $2604 |
- International fee paying students
| Year | Fee |
|---|---|
| 2015 | $4146 |
Offerings, Dates and Class Summary Links
ANU utilises MyTimetable to enable students to view the timetable for their enrolled courses, browse, then self-allocate to small teaching activities / tutorials so they can better plan their time. Find out more on the Timetable webpage.
