English 'not at expense of mother tongue' (fwd)

[phil cash cash]

English 'not at expense of mother tongue'

May 27, 2007 10:57am
Article from: AAP
http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/story/0,21985,21801644-5005961,00.html#

INDIGENOUS MP Linda Burney says the government must first stem the loss of
native Aboriginal dialects before making English compulsory for indigenous
children.

Federal Indigenous Affairs Minister Mal Brough has flagged a plan to make
English study compulsory for Aboriginal children, to help them get further
in life.

Ms Burney, who was the first Aboriginal woman to be elected to the NSW
parliament, said the government needed to have a bilingual approach.

"Aboriginal children need to learn English, but it cannot be at the expense
of their mother language,'' she said.


"One of the greatest tragedies unfolding in this country... is the fact that
of the 700 Aboriginal languages here 230 or 40 years ago, there are 60
left.''

Ms Burney said compulsory English was an ironic suggestion from Prime
Minister John Howard's government given they had already vetoed bilingual
programs.

"That's very rich when the fact it was his government that withdrew funding
for bilingual programs in the Northern Territory,'' she said.

"Kids need to learn English, but they must also have their culture
reinforced.'