The impact of depopulation on Aboriginal cultures is clearly evident in the decline in transmission of language, with many losing language as they were forced into western systems and institutions. Many Aboriginal people were punished in school or in workplaces for speaking their original language or ‘tongue’. This is an all too common story of colonised peoples around the world.

With Aboriginal language loss came culture loss. Aboriginal culture is an oral tradition as, language carries culture through stories, and proves meaning to signs and symbols. Whilst many Aboriginal people retained their connection to land and people through memory and oral history, some of the stories and meanings were lost with the disintegration of languages. This in many instances means social and economic loss. Today however, Aboriginal people are rebuilding their economy through the use of traditional names, plants and cultural knowledge. There is support for language revival and the reintroduction of local languages being taught to Aboriginal children in schools. In some schools, non-Indigenous students are learning some aspects of language as well.

Pause for thought

It’s been suggested that with the disintegration of Aboriginal and or Torres Strait Islander language, it has led to social and economic loss. What is meant by social and economic loss in this instance?