Annual Lectures
Second Annual Language and Society Centre Lecture - 2009
“A Peculiar Language” Early Australian English and Beyond
A presentation by Professor Kate Burridge, Monash University
In this lecture, Kate Burridge explores the characteristics of early Australian English based on evidence from 19th century police reports. Australian English is a 'melting pot' of linguistic inputs, from the influence of dialects from southeast England, Ireland and Scotland in early settlements, to more recent diversity from Aboriginal English and migrant Englishes. This talk discusses the development of Australian English as a distinctive and diverse language. Find out more.
First Annual Language and Society Centre Lecture - 2008
Australia’s unrecognized resources boom – languages for Australia’s future
A presentation by Emeritus Professor Michael Clyne
In this talk, given during Monash University’s Research Month to celebrate the UN International Year of Languages, Emeritus Professor Michael Clyne postulates that Australia must develop its multilingual potential to promote dynamism and innovation. He recommends ways in which Australia can become a vital link nation between Europe, Asia and other parts of the world. Find out more.