The Ethnolinguistic Vitality of Arabic in the Australian Multicultural Landscape
Version 2 2024-06-13, 13:12Version 2 2024-06-13, 13:12
Version 1 2019-08-07, 10:07Version 1 2019-08-07, 10:07
journal contribution
posted on 2024-06-13, 13:12authored byAbdel-Hakeem Kasem, Gemma Tarpey-Brown
Abstract
This paper investigates the ethnolinguistic vitality of Arabic in Australian society and the implications such vitality has
on claims of a successfully multicultural Australia. Vitality in this regard is defined as ‘that which makes a group likely
to behave as a distinctive and active collective entity in intergroup situations’ (Giles, Bourhis and Taylor 1977, p. 308).
To conduct this research, empirical data was collected to understand the way members of the Arabic ethnolinguistic
community view their own vitality. Additionally, secondary sources were studied to present an overview of the place
Arabic holds within the Australian multicultural landscape. A total number of 53 (n=53) students across Melbourne
were surveyed. The results indicate that when looking at the variable of demography and informal institutional
support, Arabic held a high rate of vitality. However, participants believed Arabic had a low vitality in regard to the
level of social status and formal institutionalised support.
History
Alternative title
The Ethnolinguistic Vitality of Arabic in the Australian Multicultural Landscape
Journal
The Educational Role of Language Journal
Volume
1
Article number
6
Pagination
60-76
Location
Gdańsk, Poland
ISSN
2657-9774
Language
eng
Publication classification
CN Other journal article
Issue
1
Publisher
The International Association for the Educational Role of Language