Aboriginal Ways of Using English

by Diana Eades

Written by one of the pioneers of the field of forensic linguistics, this collection presents 30 years of research and writings that focus on the distinct dialect of English spoken in Australia known as Aboriginal English. The implications of Diana Eades's work within the education, legal, and social spheres are of profound importance for understanding the lived experiences of Aboriginal Australians and the development of communication processes that overcome the existing inequalities within these spheres. Aboriginal Ways of Using English is a significant contribution to cross-cultural understandings and examines a significant subset of Australian English that is often ignored. The book is invaluable reading for students and scholars in linguistics, Aboriginal studies, criminology, law, education, and communication studies.

Genres: Linguistics, Nonfiction

276 pages, Paperback

First published October 1, 2013

Reviews

[Ery · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a good introduction to the ways in which South East Queensland Aboriginal Australians use English and how it differs from Standard Australian English, with its own grammatical rules and sociolinguistic aspect.

However, it could do with a considerable edit. The author states in the introduction that it is, in effect, a compilation of previous writings; this is so, to the point that almost every chapter has a reiteration of the chapter before -- if, by the end of the book, you don't know exactly how the Pinkenba event went and the manner in which the boys were treated by lawyers during the police trial, you weren't paying attention, because it is stated multiple times -- almost verbatim.

There is a solid difference between the manner in which language is used, however, as this is meant to be an introduction to the concept of difference in Aboriginal use of English to that of Standard Australian English, this is not explored. Also introduced is the concept of bilingualism and biculturality within Aboriginal Australia, and the ways in which this fluidity can aid Aboriginal Australians to move within the larger community.

This is a book on linguistics, and while it touches on the larger social aspects of language, does not explore them -- one cannot help but feel that co-writing with a cultural anthropologist would have enlarged the scope of a book which otherwise provides such thin material.

One could take any one piece of Eades' writing, which she has compiled in this book, and get a good picture of the differences in Aboriginal use of language. This compilation merely rehashes the same material over and over again, much to its detraction.

[Libby Caldwell · Rating 3 out of 5]

A collection of academic papers surrounding the application, development, etc of the Aboriginal use of English language.

So necessary to learn the differences especially when applied to a classroom situation or courtroom for example and to understand why some may be at a disadvantage.