Just a little more on the subject of the sophistication of all linguistic form. Here's another passage from "The Language Instinct" comparing the technical construction of Kivunjo - a Bantu language - and English:

"The English construction is called dative.....The corresponding Kivunjo construction is called applicative whose resemblance..."can be likened to that of a game of chess to checkers" The Kivunjo construction fits entirely around the verb, which has seven prefixes and suffixes, two moods and fourteen tenses, the verb agrees with its subject, its object and its benefactive nouns, each of which comes in sixteen genders (To a linguist, the term "gender" retains its original meaning of "kind")...."

Fascinating!

It seems that the kind of things taught and learned have to be pertinent to the lives of those who are learning them. Babette's learning was pertinent to the life that unfolded for her. If she'd been schooled in European classics but had remained in India, those things may have faded in significance as she was immersed more in Indian culture. There is a often a great gulf that exists between the the things one is taught and the pertinence of such in one's life...I agree with the others that children should be encouraged to read what interests them and what has meaning in their lives.

Babette, many thanks for your view and article.

I invite you to view my website www.whitc.info/

Arthur Bell.

“Without education our aboriginal population can only continue to rely on welfare.Posted by O'Shea”

But O'Shea, we “are” educated ! And welfare is the way to go !

On the “Dole” five hundred dollars a fortnight is “good money” to us !

Arthur Bell

“All because no one wants to learn. Posted by individual”

But individual, we have learnt !

With “billions” alocated and dispenced to us each and every year in every aspect of our lives, as Aboriginals.

Ha ! How much do youse get !?

Arthur Bell.

“Our ancestors existed with absolute minimum possessions. With no need or desire for anything more.
What's happening today is simply a continuation of this.
This reasoning by the Aboriginal Victim Industry ( A.V.I ) that Aboriginal People aspire to the same as Anglo and Other Australians is flawed.
We would certainly desire accept and even expect what they have.
But for us to outlay and to expend the time and effort to obtain them seems,
Not Culturally Appropriate”

extract from www.whitc.info/ Arthur Bell.