Language in Australia

Language in Australia provides a wide-ranging account of the present linguistic situation in Australia, primarily from a sociolinguistic perspective. The focus is mainly descriptive, and the chapters aim to provide a comprehensive overview and summary of what is known about Australia's languages as well as a guide to current areas of research interest. Throughout the volume, the contributors pay special attention to issues arising from the socio-historical situation in which Australia's languages and language varieties coexist. The volume covers both indigenous and non-indigenous languages, and contains a section specifically on 'community' languages, and also one on public policy and social issues relating to English. No other book offers such a broad survey of the language situation in Australia. Linguists as well as non-linguists will find in this volume, which is a companion to Language in the USA and Language in the British Isles, a guide and reference source to the rich linguistic heritage of Australia.