Language remains central to human identity, communication, and community. The 25th Sociolinguistics Symposium (SS25), held at Curtin University from 24 to 27 June 2024, emphasized the theme of “Ordinariness and Innovation” in language practices. This unique theme allowed scholars to explore not only creative approaches to language use but also everyday linguistic patterns that are often overlooked or devalued. By combining academic rigor with practical insights, SS25 created a space where traditional knowledge systems, innovative technologies, and social realities converged.
Key Themes at SS25
1. Ordinariness as a Lens of Study
- Ordinary language practices highlight how real people speak in daily life.
- Cultural patterns of speech are often dismissed when they appear informal or local.
- Reclaiming ordinariness challenges dominant language ideologies that exoticize only "unusual" or "academic" forms of speech.
- Every day discourse reveals deeper insights into power, identity, and social structures.
2. Innovation Across Contexts
- Innovation in linguistics does not only mean new technologies but also fresh perspectives on old problems.
- Creative classroom strategies, particularly for neurodiverse learners, represent innovation in pedagogy.
- Digital platforms, such as AI and social media, introduce new challenges in language perception, including bias.
- Voice technologies and indigenous language applications offer tools to preserve and promote minority tongues.
3. Critical Ecologies of Language
- Language ecologies involve relationships between languages and their environments—physical, social, and digital.
- Migration and displacement shape these ecologies, making space for multilingualism and hybridity.
- Indigenous and endangered languages need protection through policy, practice, and technological innovation.
- Environmental and geographic settings, such as rural communities, demand different language approaches than urban centers.
Conference Topics: A Deeper Look
| Presentation Title | Focus Area |
|---|---|
| ‘Calm down’: Accentism in Emergency Calls | Investigated how accents influence perceptions of a caller’s emotional state and credibility. |
| ‘Experiences from Down Under’ | Addressed marginalisation of culturally and linguistically diverse communities in Australia. |
| ‘Whose Voices Is It?’ | Examined the role of generative AI in mixing voices and creating confusion in authorship. |
| ‘Asian Drivers, You So Sirry!’ | Unpacked linguistic racism online targeting Asian Australians. |
| ‘You Mob! Give Them a Chance!’ | Explored Aboriginal students’ use of translanguaging in educational settings. |
| ‘Talking Inclusion and Exclusion’ | Analysed how the idea of ‘Australian values’ includes or excludes certain groups. |
| ‘What’s in a Word?’ | Questioned how terms like “Culturally and Linguistically Diverse” shape national identity. |
| Use of Australian Aboriginal English in Schools | Looked into the educational value and challenges of using Aboriginal English in classrooms. |
Sociolinguistics and Social Justice
Equity and inclusion were central to this year's symposium:
- Language and power often intersect, affecting who gets heard in society.
- Marginalised voices such as migrants, Indigenous peoples, and people with disabilities were actively included.
- Language-related discrimination, including accentism and linguistic racism, was openly discussed and critically analysed.
Disability and Neurodiversity in Language Practices
Representation of neurodiverse speakers received attention:
- Educational systems must adapt language methods for all learning styles.
- Neurodivergent communication patterns often challenge standard expectations but carry valid and valuable expression.
- Inclusivity in language practices respects difference rather than forcing conformity.
Technology and Language Innovation
| Innovation Type | Application in Linguistics |
|---|---|
| Generative AI | Explores authorship, plagiarism, and voice representation in digital language production. |
| Voice Recognition Tools | Assists in preserving endangered languages and improving accessibility. |
| Social Media Platforms | Create new linguistic spaces while also being sites of discrimination and stereotyping. |
| Digital Archives | Store Indigenous oral histories and support intergenerational language learning. |
Language and Identity
Linguistic identity remains complex:
- Social class, ethnicity, and gender influence how people use and perceive language.
- Multilingual individuals often navigate between languages depending on social context.
- Linguistic hybridity, such as code-switching and translanguaging, showcases adaptability and identity negotiation.
Global Collaboration at SS25
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Location | Bentley Campus, Curtin University, Perth |
| Delegates | Over 500 participants from 53 countries |
| Duration | 24–27 June 2024 |
| Organisers | Associate Professor Lisa Lim and Professor Sender Dovchin |
| Accessibility | Auslan sign language, closed captioning, interpreter services |
| Focus | Diversity, equity, inclusion, and Indigenous and minority language engagement |
Design Symbolism: SS25 Logo
The logo designed by Korrine Bennell-Yarran of Karrak Designs expresses deep cultural meaning:
- Circular dots: Represent togetherness and global communication.
- Neckline motif: Shows how speech flows from mind, mouth, body, and heart.
- Red-orange ochre hues: Symbolise Australia’s land and the spiritual connection to Country.
Significance of Indigenous Languages
- UN Decade of Indigenous Languages (2022–2032) added urgency to discussions.
- Language loss equates to the loss of culture and knowledge.
- Policy changes and grassroots practices are both needed to keep Indigenous languages alive.
- Community involvement ensures that language revival efforts are meaningful and sustainable.
Future Implications
The Sociolinguistics Symposium 25 at Curtin University offered a rich and multi-layered exploration of how ordinariness and innovation shape our understanding of language. From accent bias in emergency calls to AI’s impact on voice ownership, and Aboriginal classroom practices to multilingual social media discourse, the symposium opened new pathways for inquiry. Discussions were not just academic—they were grounded in real-world challenges, calling for action, inclusion, and empathy in all aspects of language use. SS25 proved that celebrating everyday language is as crucial as embracing linguistic innovation.
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