Thread: What is Australias Official language? Not what you think

Originally Posted by KarlB

All those ****ed off about Australia not having an 'official language' wiill no doubt be able to recite the 'official national anthem' (both verses), know what the 'official national flower' is, and be able describe the 'official coat of arms' and the 'official flag'. Come on patriots, no cheating by looking it up on the net.

Cheers
KarlB

Wot you mean there are two verses? Are you talking about regal official events or civil official events when the anthem is played/sung (not sure it's recited)?

Originally Posted by stig0000

that realy ****es me off that dose,, we speak English here, so learn it or get out and they come to our country and have a cry that we don't cater enough for them!!!!, WTF why dont we just become one big china town

As long as you don't volunteer to teach them the correct english spelling, grammar and punctuation. Are you sure you speak english?

/highhorse

Originally Posted by stig0000

that realy ****es me off that dose,, we speak English here, so learn it or get out and they come to our country and have a cry that we don't cater enough for them!!!!, WTF why dont we just become one big china town

Oh come on! Most of the official Chinese signs around the place are put there for tourists! Go to Japan - a far more racially homogenous society that just about anywhere - and you will see that ALL their official signage is in Japanese and English. I've never heard anyone there complaining.

We don't have anything to officially state English is our national language, because we can't. There are 200-odd Aboriginal languages that also belong here.

It really doesn't matter how many people move here to live from overseas, we exist in a world where English is the international language (yes, I know the French would disagree). As long as jobs in Australia require applicants to speak, read & write English then that will do more that an official language line in the constitution.

I don't have any issue with multilingual signage. What I do object to is being able to take the driving test in multiple languages. If you can't read English how are you going to drive and understand emergency services / roadworks directions amongst others.

Originally Posted by It'sNotWorthComplaining!

Germany has actually addressed the the Turkish muslim problem where there are 2 societies, The have taken the step to teach the Imans ( I think they are called) to learn German. Then instead of the Government forcing the Turks to learn German. ( Which they won't do) but the Imans will encourage the other Turks to do so. They listen to their own kind first.
This is all to stop the non integration into German society and having a separate country within a country (So to speak) and also helps the Turks to obtain services etc.
Here in Australia we don't actively encourage integration, we encourage ethnic ghettos under the disguise of multiculturalism.
But back on the original topic, we don't have an official language

I'll butt in here - being a Box Hill resident (one of the targets of your original complaint)...

Your reference to encouraging 'ethnic ghettos' couldn't be further from reality if you actually lived in Box Hill and didn't just base it on observations and perhaps a bit of fear as you passed through. Yes, there are a lot of bi-lingual signs, but as others as mentioned, that's a global phenomenon. Visit Malaysia or Hong Kong (where many of Box Hill's Asian residents come from originally) and you'll find a vast number of the signs in English as well. How is that any different? Are you going to go there and object to them displaying your language as well??

Bit back to the ghetto point - Box Hill (like most very multicultural areas) has a wonderful mix of cultures represented, all getting along very well. It isn't simply a homogenous mass of one culture. My wife is Malaysian, I am Anglo. Our kids school is a nice mix of Anglo, Indian, Asian, German, Italian - all getting along happily. Our church has a large Cambodian population attending (and the Scriptures are read in both English and Khmer, which I think is awesome). So really, the 'ghetto' comment is completely unfounded.

Language doesn't create ghettos - Fear, intolerance and unacceptance of differences creates ghettos.

Having said that all, every Asian person we know in this area understands English and have it as their primary language. My wife can't even read Chinese! Perhaps a few of the older people don't speak well - but heck, if you moved to Hong Kong at the age of 60 would you be that inclined or able to pick up Cantonese?

Originally Posted by Lotz-A-Landies

Wot you mean there are two verses? Are you talking about regal official events or civil official events when the anthem is played/sung (not sure it's recited)?

The Australian National Anthem was proclaimed on 19 April 1984 by the then Governor-General, Sir Ninian Stephen. Me thinks you are referring to the Royal Anthem, more commonly known as God Save the Queen. On all official and ceremonial occasions, the Australian National Anthem is used except in the presence of Her Majesty The Queen or a member of the Royal Family, when the Royal Anthem is used. In reality these royal occasions are quite uncommon. (When was the last time a member of the Royal Family was in Australia?).The Royal Anthem was our National Anthem prior to 19 April 1984.

Cheers
KarlB

should be more of it - Chinese (which one as they have 2 official languages) Japanese, American, indonesian, New Zealand

If we are going to be part of the global village and not a self rightous mono-ethnic back water shunned by the rest of the world, we need to accept that Australias economy relys on international trade; so the more we show tolerance and acceptance the better off we are on a world stage.

I think everyone should live in Darwin for a couple of years to see how well multiculturalism can work when you stop worrying about a persons colour or accent.

Originally Posted by eddiec

Language doesn't create ghettos - Fear, intolerance and unacceptance of differences creates ghettos.

Your argument could go either way,
So why not educate them?
If they fear to take on the customs and predominant language of Australia.
If they are intolerant to learn to integrate.
If they find non acceptance of the ways of their new country

Then they can freely live all over the country and then we will have a true multicultural integrated society.So what you are saying migrants can't accept the differences here so they create their own communities. I grew up in a very diverse multicultural suburb in the 60's, we had a mixture of all ethnic backgrounds. and we all lived together in an area. It was a balance mix every one was good friends. There was no need to have a large concentration of one ethnic group living in pockets.
Unfortunately it becomes a touchy subject when observations are made.
Political correctness again