Page 680 - Week 02 - Wednesday, 11 February 2009
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would like to mention some stats from that 1991 census in India. In the three languages Godwari, Khamyang and Great Andamanese, there were respectively only 61, 50 and 24 persons in the census who identified as being speakers of that language. Imagine that: 24 people are the only people on earth left speaking a particular language. It saddens me to think that these languages will probably disappear, along with the 105 indigenous languages that will disappear forever—silenced forever.
This day is celebrated to promote the value of mother tongues and encourage linguistic diversity and multilingual education. In acknowledging the value of International Mother Language Day, I would like to reflect on the fortunate situation we have in the ACT, where languages and the teaching of languages is a key priority. Section 27 of the Human Rights Act 2004 recognises that anyone who belongs to a linguistic minority must not be denied the right, with other members of the minority, to use his or her language.
The need and value of this legislation is reflected in the fact that, according to the 2006 census, approximately 100 different languages are spoken in the ACT region. People have settled in the ACT from all over the world. Again according to the 2006 census—this is also a bit of a surprise—the top three non-English-speaking countries of origin for Canberrans born overseas are India, Germany and China. I note from the 2006 census, though, that Italian, Mandarin and Vietnamese are the three most spoken languages in the ACT after English. The two do not match. It is new year, so I might say “Gong xi fa cai”, the Mandarin version; “Chuc mung nam moi”, the Vietnamese version; and “Buon anno”, the Italian version. Maybe Madam Assistant Speaker Dunne would like to say “happy new year” in Italian, because she is a better Italian speaker than I will ever be.
In recognition of 2008 being the International Year of Languages and in response to community consultation, there was a focus on languages and language policy at the multicultural summit held in August last year. The language policy workshop provided a forum for many members of the multicultural community to raise issues with me as Minister for Multicultural Affairs and with my colleague the minister for education, Mr Barr. The overarching message that came through loud and clear from the community consultation was that, following the International Year of Languages slogan, languages matter in the ACT. Indeed, the 2008 multicultural summit reflected that second and multiple languages are of concern and value to both multicultural community groups and this government.
International Mother Language Day aims to increase awareness about the linguistic and cultural traditions throughout the world and to inspire solidarity based on understanding, respect and dialogue. The ACT government recognises that having people with the ability to speak more than one language is an asset for the ACT. Such language skills contribute to the maintenance of culture and identity and foster diversity and a vibrant community.
At this special time of the year, with the annual National Multicultural Festival, it is clear that a diverse and vibrant community is one that Canberrans desire to be nurtured. Despite the trying circumstances of the heat, a record estimated 75,000 people attended on the opening day of the festival. As I wandered around, I
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