The habitat of Australia's aboriginal languages

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The languages of Aboriginal Australians have garnered significant interest from scholars across various fields, including linguistics, political studies, archaeology, and social history. Consequently, numerous studies address issues related to these languages and their social contexts. However, there has been a lack of an accessible integrative reader for non-specialists. The collection edited by Leitner and Malcolm addresses this gap by examining the languages of Aborigines and Torres Strait Islanders from pre-colonial times to the present. It explores languages from both structural and functional linguistic perspectives, delving into cultural maintenance, language policy, planning, and the educational and legal dimensions. Key themes include the social and linguistic history of language contact since 1788, the demographic base of indigenous languages, traditional languages, and the effects of contact that led to modifications and the emergence of pidgins and creoles, such as Kriol and Aboriginal English. The book also discusses the influence of Aboriginal languages on mainstream Australian English, as well as issues of maintenance, shift, revival, documentation, and the role of language in education, media, and law courts. Featuring contributions from leading experts, it serves as both a university course reader and a valuable resource for specialists like applied linguists and educational planners.