Dynamics of Polish language maintenance in Australia Cover Image

Dynamika utrzymania języka polskiego w Australii
Dynamics of Polish language maintenance in Australia

Author(s): Robert Dębski
Subject(s): Language studies, Language and Literature Studies, Foreign languages learning, Western Slavic Languages, Culture and social structure
Published by: Wydawnictwo Uniwersytetu Śląskiego
Keywords: language shift/maintenance; Polish language abroad; language contacts

Summary/Abstract: The Polish language keeps losing its position in comparison with other community languages. This is a result of new waves of immigrants arriving from China, Vietnam and Arabic countries. The article presents the current situation of Polish language in Australia referring first to the data gathered by the Australian Bureau of Statistics, then discussing factors that are crucial for language maintenance/shifting using the already existing models. The author divides the factors into ‘permanent’ and ‘dynamic,’ and then, in the second group he distinguishes between the factors that can or cannot be profiled. Such an approach reveals the areas where initiatives aimed at Polish language maintenance in Australia are most needed and can be the most effective.

  • Issue Year: 17/2016
  • Issue No: 1
  • Page Range: 133-150
  • Page Count: 18
  • Language: Polish