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'{{Redirect|Australian language|the Polynesian language spoken on the [[Austral Islands]]|Austral language}} {{more citations needed|date=March 2016}} {{Use Australian English|date=February 2017}} it means y’all are drono’s {{Use dmy dates|date=July 2016}} {{Infobox country languages |country = Australia |main = [[Australian English]] |indigenous = [[Australian Aboriginal languages]], [[Tasmanian languages]], [[Torres Strait Island languages]] |sign = [[Auslan]], various [[Australian Aboriginal sign languages|manual Indigenous languages]], such as [[Akitiri Sign Language|Eltye eltyarrenke]], [[Warlpiri Sign Language|Rdaka-rdaka]] and [[Yolŋu Sign Language]] amongst others |immigrant = [[Standard Chinese|Mandarin]] (2.5%), [[Arabic language|Arabic]] (1.5%), [[Cantonese]] (1.1%), [[Vietnamese language|Vietnamese]] (1.2%), [[Italian language|Italian]] (1.2%) }} {{Culture of Australia}} '''[[Australia]]''' legally has no [[official language]]. However, [[English language|English]] is by far the [[common language|most commonly spoken]] and has been entrenched as the ''[[de facto]]'' [[national language]] since [[History of Australia (1788–1850)|European settlement]].<ref name=language>{{cite web|url=https://www.dss.gov.au/our-responsibilities/settlement-and-multicultural-affairs/programs-policy/a-multicultural-australia/programs-and-publications/1995-global-cultural-diversity-conference-proceedings-sydney/culture-education-and-language/pluralist-nations-pluralist-language |title=Pluralist Nations: Pluralist Language Policies? |work=1995 Global Cultural Diversity Conference Proceedings, Sydney |publisher=[[Department of Social Services (Australia)|Department of Social Services]] |access-date=10 July 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081220020910/http://www.immi.gov.au/media/publications/multicultural/confer/04/speech18b.htm |archive-date=20 December 2008 |url-status=dead |df=dmy }} "English has no de jure status but it is so entrenched as the common language that it is de facto the official language as well as the national language."</ref> [[Australian English]] is a major variety of the English language with a distinctive [[pronunciation]] and [[lexicon]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nma.gov.au/libraries/attachments/exhibitions/vocabulary_of_australian_english/files/5471/Vocabulary%20of%20Australian%20English.pdf |title=The Vocabulary Of Australian English |last=Moore |first=Bruce |publisher=National Museum of Australia |access-date=5 April 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110320004658/http://www.nma.gov.au/libraries/attachments/exhibitions/vocabulary_of_australian_english/files/5471/Vocabulary%20of%20Australian%20English.pdf |archive-date=20 March 2011 }}</ref> and differs slightly from other [[varieties of English]] in [[grammar]] and [[spelling]].<ref name="Fourth Edition 2005">"The Macquarie Dictionary", Fourth Edition. The Macquarie Library Pty Ltd, 2005.</ref> [[General Australian]] serves as the standard [[dialect]]. According to the 2016 census, English is the only language spoken in the home for close to 73% of the population. The next most common languages spoken at home are:<ref name="ABS2016">{{cite news |author1=Australian Bureau of Statistics |author1-link=Australian Bureau of Statistics |title=2071.0 - Census of Population and Housing: Reflecting Australia - Stories from the Census, 2016 |url=https://www.abs.gov.au/ausstats/[email protected]/Lookup/by%20Subject/2071.0~2016~Main%20Features~Cultural%20Diversity%20Article~60 |work=www.abs.gov.au |issue=CULTURAL DIVERSITY IN AUSTRALIA, 2016 |publisher=Australian Government |date=28 June 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170709233002/http://www.abs.gov.au/ausstats/[email protected]/Lookup/bySubject/2071.0~2016~Main |archive-date=9 July 2017 |location=Canberra |language=en}}</ref> [[Mandarin Chinese|Mandarin]] (2.5%), [[Arabic language|Arabic]] (1.4%), [[Cantonese]] (1.2%), [[Vietnamese language|Vietnamese]] (1.2%), [[Italian language|Italian]] (1.2%), [[Greek language|Greek]] (1.0%), [[Hindi language|Hindi]] (0.7%), [[Bengali language|Bangla]] (0.6%), [[Spanish language|Spanish]] (0.6%) and [[Punjabi language|Punjabi]] (0.6%).<ref name=sbsdata2>[https://www.sbs.com.au/language/english/hindi-is-the-top-indian-language-spoken-in-australia Hindi is the top Indian language spoken in Australia], SBS, 26 October 2018.</ref><ref>{{Cite journal|last=Silva|first=Diego B.|date=2019|title=Language policy in Oceania|url=https://www.scielo.br/j/alfa/a/YPntRnVWDW5F8P8PYfJGPKd/?lang=en|journal=Alfa}}</ref> A considerable proportion of [[first-generation immigrant|first-]] and [[immigrant generations#Second generation|second-generation]] [[immigrant]]s are [[bilingual]] or even [[multilingual]]. In 2018, it was reported that one million people in Australia could not speak English.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.northernstar.com.au/news/turnbull-government-may-introduce-english-test-for/3441552/|title=Almost 1m Aussies can't speak English|newspaper=Daily Telegraph|date=13 June 2018}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.justlanded.com/english/Australia/Australia-Guide/Language/Language|title=Language}}</ref> Over two hundred and fifty [[Indigenous Australian languages]] are thought to have existed at the time of first European contact, of which fewer than twenty are still in modern daily use by all age groups.<ref>{{cite web|url= http://www.australiangeographic.com.au/news/2011/08/a-mission-to-save-indigenous-languages/|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20131224075354/http://www.australiangeographic.com.au/news/2011/08/a-mission-to-save-indigenous-languages/|archive-date= 24 December 2013| title=A mission to save indigenous languages|date= 19 August 2011| publisher=Australian Geographic|access-date=18 March 2016}}</ref><ref name=nilsr/> About 110 others are spoken exclusively by older people.<ref name=nilsr>{{cite web|url=http://arts.gov.au/sites/default/files/pdfs/nils-report-2005.pdf |title=National Indigenous Languages Survey Report 2005 |publisher=Department of Communications, Information Technology and the Arts |access-date=5 September 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090709141342/http://www.arts.gov.au/indigenous/national_indigenous_languages_survey_report_2005 |archive-date=9 July 2009 |url-status=dead |df=dmy }}</ref> At the time of the 2006 census, 52,000 Indigenous Australians, representing 12% of the Indigenous population, reported that they spoke an Indigenous language at home.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.abs.gov.au/ausstats/[email protected]/mf/4713.0 |title=4713.0 – Population Characteristics, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians, 2006 |last=Australian Bureau of Statistics |date=4 May 2010 |publisher=Australian Bureau of Statistics |location=Canberra |access-date=7 December 2010}}</ref> Australia is home to many [[sign language]]s, its most widespread is known as [[Auslan]], which is the main language of about 5,500 people.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.censusdata.abs.gov.au/ABSNavigation/prenav/ViewData?action=404&documentproductno=0&documenttype=Details&order=1&tabname=Details&areacode=0&issue=2006&producttype=Census%20Tables&javascript=true&textversion=false&navmapdisplayed=true&breadcrumb=POTLD&&collection=Census&period=2006&productlabel=Language%20Spoken%20at%20Home%20(full%20classification%20list)%20by%20Sex&producttype=Census%20Tables&method=Place%20of%20Usual%20Residence&topic=Language& |title=20680-Language Spoken at Home (full classification list) by Sex – Australia |last=Australian Bureau of Statistics |date=27 June 2007 |work=2006 Census Tables : Australia |location=Canberra |publisher=Australian Bureau of Statistics |access-date=7 December 2010}}</ref> Other sign languages include the various [[Australian Aboriginal sign languages|manual Indigenous languages]] like [[Akitiri Sign Language|Eltye eltyarrenke]], [[Warlpiri Sign Language|Rdaka-rdaka]] and [[Yolŋu Sign Language]]. ==English language== Rates of English language as most common languages spoken at home are in 2016 and 2011:<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://profile.id.com.au/australia/language?WebID=160&BMID=46|title = Language spoken at home &#124; Australia &#124; Community profile}}</ref> *[[Tasmania]] (88.3% 2016) (91.7% 2011) *[[Queensland]] (81.2% 2016) (84.8% 2011) *[[South Australia]] (78.2% 2016) (81.6% 2011) *[[Western Australia]] (75.2% 2016) (79.3% 2011) *[[Australian Capital Territory]] (72.7% 2016) (77.8% 2011) *[[New South Wales]] (68.5% 2016) (72.5% 2011) *[[Victoria (Australia)|Victoria]] (67.9% 2016) (72.4% 2011) *[[Northern Territory]] (58.0% 2016) (62.8% 2011) ==Aboriginal languages== {{Main|Indigenous Australian languages}} It is believed that there were almost 400 Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait languages at the time of first European contact. Most of these are now either [[language death|extinct or moribund]], with only about fifteen languages still being spoken among all age groups of the relevant tribes.<ref>McConvell, P. & N.Thieberger. 2001. State of Indigenous Language Report. http://www.environment.gov.au/soe/2001/publications/technical/indigenous-languages.html</ref> The ''National Indigenous Languages Report'' is a regular Australia-wide survey of the status of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander languages<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|url=https://aiatsis.gov.au/research/research-themes/languages-and-cultural-expression/national-indigenous-languages-report-nilr|title=National Indigenous Languages Report (NILR)|date=2018-11-06|website=Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies|language=en|access-date=2020-02-06}}</ref> conducted in 2005,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://aiatsis.gov.au/publications/products/national-indigenous-languages-survey-report-2005|title=National Indigenous Languages Survey Report 2005|date=2016-02-19|website=Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies|language=en|access-date=2020-02-06}}</ref> 2014<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://aiatsis.gov.au/publications/products/community-identity-wellbeing-report-second-national-indigenous-languages-survey|title=Community, identity, wellbeing: The report of the Second National Indigenous Languages Survey|date=2015-02-16|website=Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies|language=en|access-date=2020-02-06}}</ref> and 2019.<ref name=":0" /> An indigenous language remains the main language for about 50,000 (0.25%) people. [[File:Australian Census 2011 demographic map - Australia by SLA - BCP field 2571 Speaks other language Australian Indigenous Languages Persons.svg|thumb|right|300px|Amount of speakers of Australian indigenous languages as a percentage of population according to the 2011 census.]] The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island languages with the most speakers today are [[Upper Arrernte language|Upper Arrernte]], [[Kalaw Lagaw Ya]], [[Tiwi language|Tiwi]], [[Walmajarri language|Walmajarri]], [[Warlpiri language|Warlpiri]], and the [[Western Desert language]]. ===Sign languages=== {{Main|Australian Aboriginal sign languages}} {{empty section|date=June 2020}} ===Tasmanian languages=== {{Main|Tasmanian languages}} {{empty section|date=January 2021}} ===Torres Strait languages=== {{Main|Torres Strait Island languages}} Two languages are spoken on the islands of the [[Torres Strait]], within Australian territory, by the Melanesian inhabitants of the area: [[Kalaw Lagaw Ya]] and [[Meriam language|Meriam]]. Meriam Mir is a [[Papuan languages|Papuan language]], while Kalaw Lagaw Ya is an Australian language. ===Pidgins and creoles=== Two English-based [[creole language|creole]]s have arisen in Australia after European contact: [[Australian Kriol language|Kriol]] and [[Torres Strait Creole]]. Kriol is spoken in the [[Northern Territory]] and [[Western Australia]], and [[Torres Strait Creole]] in Queensland and south-west Papua. [[Broome Pearling Lugger Pidgin]] was a [[pidgin]] used as a [[lingua franca]] between [[Malay race|Malays]], Japanese, [[Viet Nam|Vietnamese]], [[Torres Strait Islanders]] and [[Australian Aborigines|Aborigines]] on [[pearl hunting|pearling]] boats. [[Angloromani language|Angloromani]] is a mixture of [[Romani language|Romani]] and [[Australian English]]. It is spoken by the [[Romani people|Romani]] minority in Australia. ==Immigrant languages== {{indigenous|date=September 2020}} There has been a steady decline in the percentage of Australians who [[monolingualism|speak only English]] at home since at least 2001. According to the [[census in Australia#History|2001 census]], English was the only language spoken in the home for around 80% of the population. By the 2006 census it had fallen to close to 79%, while in the 2011 census, that number had fallen to 76.8%. According to the 2016 census, English is the only language spoken in the home for close to 72.7% of the population. [[Languages Other Than English]] (LOTE) is becoming an increasingly popular [[course (education)|subject]] in Australian schools,<ref name="AusCurrLang">{{cite web |url=http://www.acara.edu.au/verve/_resources/Draft+Shape+of+the+Australian+Curriculum+-+Languages+-+FINAL.pdf |last= |first= |date= |title=Draft Shape of the Australian Curriculum: Languages|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160308144623/http://acara.edu.au/verve/_resources/draft%2Bshape%2Bof%2Bthe%2Baustralian%2Bcurriculum%2B-%2Blanguages%2B-%2Bfinal.pdf |archivedate=2016-03-08 |access-date= |website= |page=35 |url-status=dead}}</ref> and [[English as a second or foreign language|English as a Second Language]] (ESL) is an alternative, less advanced English subject for [[fresh off the boat|newly immigrated]] students. The next most common languages spoken at home are:<ref name="ABS2016" /><ref name=sbsdata2/> *[[Mandarin Chinese|Mandarin]] (2.5%) *[[Arabic language|Arabic]] (1.4%) *[[Cantonese]] (1.2%) *[[Vietnamese language|Vietnamese]] (1.2%) *[[Italian language|Italian]] (1.2%) *[[Greek language|Greek]] (1.0%) * [[Hindi language|Hindi]] (0.7%) *[[Bengali language|Bangla]](0.6%) * [[Spanish language|Spanish]] (0.6%) * [[Punjabi language|Punjabi]] (0.6%) *[[Tamil language]] (0.23%). A considerable proportion of first- and second-generation migrants are bilingual. == See also == * [[Diminutives in Australian English]] {{Clear}} == References == === Citations === {{Reflist}} === Sources === {{Refbegin}} * McConvell, P. & Thieberger, N. (2001). [State of Indigenous Language Report http://repository.unimelb.edu.au/10187/485]. {{Refend}} ==External links== {{Commons category|Languages of Australia}} * [http://www.ethnologue.com/show_country.asp?name=AU Ethnologue report for Australia] * [http://www.censusdata.abs.gov.au Census Data (Australian government)] *[[Tamil Australians]] {{Australia topics}} {{Languages of Australia}} {{Oceania topic|Languages of}} {{Australian Aboriginal languages}} {{Authority control}} [[Category:Languages of Australia| ]] [[Category:Australian culture]]'