If I went to live in Lithuania or Poland or Vietnam, I would expect to learn Lithuanian or Polish or Vietnamese. Of course. Yes, it would be nice if Australian-born Australians learnt other languages, or bits of other languages. It would also be nice if they learnt bits from one of the five hundred Indigenous languages of Australia. But there are people from a couple of hundred countries in Australia now, and people from some of those countries speak many different languages to begin with. So we are a bit spoilt for choice !

It might surprise people from the leafier suburbs that in many parts of their city, there are lots of people from other parts of the world. For those of us who live there, it makes sense to learn a few phrases in languages which are most commonly used in their neighbourhoods. I suppose, in my case, it would be Hazara, Greek and maybe Dinka. I could probably hold a very basic conversation in Greek, I can say 'Salaam wa Salaam' in Hazara, but haven't got around to learning any Dinka yet. I don't suppose it would be difficult, simply a matter of taking the time. No biggy.

I wish there were more Tamil women in my neighbourhood, they are all so gorgeous, but the language, while it sounds so beautiful, with its 153-letter alphabet is a bit daunting.

Joe

While learning another language is always to be encouraged, and for a few that are linguistically, this will be a delight. However, for the majority, learning a new language that they would only use occasionally is a time consuming chore with little reward.

What Professor of a language faculty would not be in favour of more, preferably compulsory language education?

Got to say though that the French departments of university language faculties were known for elbowing other languages out of sight and out of mind.

The Prof presents as self parody though. She is part of the middle class educated elite and she makes her dough out of her restricted interest.

Others should eat cake and learn Urdu, which would do them good, anything to expand the minds of the dull plebs.

It is entirely lost on the Prof that most students work in several jobs to get through, gather a considerable debt and must regard their education as a costly investment in a future job and to one day support a family.

Maybe humanities academics could do with some time in the real world. Some worker might want to swap his/her thankless job for a stint in the language faculty.

Dear Joe,

In our leafy court our neighbours are from Sri Lanka,
Italy, China, Croatia, Macedonia, Lebanon and
Lithuania. We have no trouble communicating in
English. The other languages I've picked up since
working in Regional and State public libraries, as well
as my mother's nursing home. I have made the effort and
the friendships I've formed have definitely been well
worth the effort. Especially the smiles and hugs I get
from residents there suffering with dementia. Staff there
have brought me gifts from Egypt and Dubai (I collect
dolls in traditional national costumes). It has been a
huge and rich learning experience. A very positive one.

Lithuanians taking over Saxon lands . It's a terrible language and the Vikings went that way to trade with Muslims so who knows what they're up to. And their navy is something else.

ttbn: "Only an academic could suggest that integration is a two-way street. Natives of any country already have values and a way of life; it is for newcomers to integrate into the country they have adopted if they wish to be accepted and flourish in their new country. If they do not, it's stiff cheese for them."

Ah, that explains why we're conducting this discussion in Daruk/Eora.