Analysis of Cultural and Linguistic Diversity in Australia

This essay provides a comprehensive analysis of cultural and linguistic diversity in Australia, tracing its historical development from post-World War I migration to contemporary policies. It explores the impact of immigration, the evolution of government policies like the White Australia Policy and multiculturalism, and the challenges faced by diverse communities. The essay examines political, economic, and social issues affecting people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, highlighting disparities in employment and access to resources. It discusses relevant theories like cultural difference, expectation, and cultural deficit theories to explain societal behaviors. Furthermore, it details current policies, services, and organizations supporting diverse communities, including interpretation services and settlement programs. The strengths and weaknesses of these policies are assessed, particularly concerning multiculturalism, social cohesion, and the integration of immigrants. The essay concludes by emphasizing the need for continued efforts to maintain harmony and social justice in Australia's diverse society, referencing several academic sources and government reports.

Running head: CULTURAL AND LINGUISTICALLY DIVERSE BACKGROUNDS 1
Cultural and Linguistically Diverse Backgrounds
Name
Institution

CULTURAL AND LINGUISTICALLY DIVERSE BACKGROUNDS 2
Cultural and Linguistically Diverse Backgrounds in Australia
1. History of diversity in cultural and linguistic background in Australia
Continuous migration which began after the first world war and peaked in the second world
war has shaped the Australian population to a large extent. This migration has led to the
characteristic cultural and linguistic diversity experienced in Australia (Nicola & Kurzak, 2013).
Altogether, policies and historical events have heavily influenced the cultural and language
diversity in Australia.
During world war two, there was an invasion into Darwin by the Japanese. This invasion
convinced most people that Australia was incapable of protecting itself due to its small
population which was seven million people at the time. Consequently, there was a call for
immigration as a means of boosting the population leading to a policy called ‘populate or perish’.
Due to the immigration of new people, the Australian population has steadily increased since
the 1940s. In the beginning, the migrants came from North west European countries including
Germany and the United Kingdom. More migrants followed from Eastern and Southern parts of
Europe in countries such as Yugoslavia, Greece, and Italy. Initially, the Australian government
only allowed white immigrants in a policy called white Australian policy. This is whereby it only
allowed immigrants who were of British and Irish descent (Jupp, 2002).
However, in 1977, it adopted a non-discriminatory intake of immigrants which looks at the
people’s skill levels. More migrants arrived in Australia in the late 1970s mainly from countries
in South East Asia. These countries include; Cambodia, the Philippines, and Vietnam. Recently,
migrants are predominantly from Southern and North-East Asian countries like India and China
(Australia, 2017).

CULTURAL AND LINGUISTICALLY DIVERSE BACKGROUNDS 3
Australia was initially inhibited by the Aboriginal people. This changed with the arrival of
the English settlers (Birch, 2008). The British came in to colonize the Aboriginal people and
brought prisoners from its overcrowding jails. There was a clash in the beginning between these
two groups of people that was hateful and cruel. This was mainly because the British invaded the
land and acted as if the land was uninhabited- terra nullius. The aboriginal resistance against the
settlers persisted fighting for more than a century leaving more than twenty thousand people
dead.
There were other conflicts that later developed along the lines of religion and ethnicity. The
religious conflict was between the protestant English and the catholic Irish. Another conflict
existed between the Victorian Gold Fields and miners from China (Dewhirst, 2008). The main
conflict here was because the Chinese worked very hard and were accused of unfair labor
competition.
Traditionally, Australia was an egalitarian society. Divisions due to class were limited and
there was social justice (Sheppard Jill & Biddle Nicholas, 2015). This has been one of the
foundations under which present day multiculturalism is founded. The outlook of many
Australian people has also changed from an ethno-centric, insecure nation to a cosmopolitan,
self-conscious economic and political power. Nevertheless, there are Australians who have not
enjoyed social justice in the country due to their cultural and linguistic backgrounds (Queensland
Government, 2010). These are mainly people from non-English speaking countries.
2. Political, Economic, and Social Issues Impacting People from Cultural and Linguistically
Diverse Backgrounds

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In the presence of high diversity in Australia, there is need to maintain and respect the cultural
diversity in the country. The government must ensure that there is social justice in the country
for all people (Gay, 2013). The government has the responsibility treat all the people equally
regardless of their background. Additionally, there should be an equal distribution of cultural and
material resources (Koleth, 2010).
One of the primary objectives of the government should be a reduction of poverty. This can be
achieved by the providing different forms of employment opportunities. Moreover, the
government can strive to enhance social integration to achieve economic growth that is
sustainable. Due to multiculturalism, there should be a genuine recognition of diversity in
cultures (Gay, 2013).
From past data, there is evidence of unequal economic growth for different people. There has
been uneven distribution of income among the various families in Australia. For instance, the
unemployment level for people born in Australia was ten percent, while that of people born
outside Australia is much higher. For example; forty to fifty percent of families where one
spouse is from a non-English speaking country, have both spouses being unemployed
(Queensland Government, 2010).
Due to a history of a deficient access to resources; be they political, social, or economic,
there are people who have not been able to benefit from employment, services or income. Some
of the communities in Australia are in dire need of access to amenities and services provided by
the government (Bezern, 2015). The government must create policies which will distribute
resources such as; education, training, employment and a secure income for the people. This will
bring about complete community participation as well as raise the people’s determination.

CULTURAL AND LINGUISTICALLY DIVERSE BACKGROUNDS 5
3. Theories on Different Cultural and Linguistic Backgrounds
There are unlimited theories that can explain how societies with people of different cultural
and linguistic backgrounds behave individually or interact with other people. How a person is
brought up has a significant impact on how they view the world and how they understand
information. People in China and Japan, for instance, have a holistic view to the world and
look at how different aspects relate to each other. On the other hand, Americans see the world
in separate classes where things are defined under given rules. The various views that various
people have also affected their performance in school or at work. Three theories that can be
used to explain these differences.
The cultural difference theory says that people raised in diverse cultural environments will
exhibit different manners in which they approach various activities. Individuals who interact
with these people need to comprehend the difference between their home atmosphere and their
working or learning environment (Lynch, 2011). All people should have attitudes that respect
other people’s cultures without discrimination.
Expectation theory explains that certain people expect less from people of certain cultural
and racial groups. In this regard, they don’t even give them a chance to show their strengths but
treat them in a manner that aligns them with their low expectations (Lynch, 2011).
Finally, the cultural deficit theory asserts that certain people perform poorly because their
cultural, social, and linguistic environments do not give them proper preparation for their future
lives. For instance, some people may come from homes where they are not able to read or
properly articulate words due to lack of vocabulary training. This may, in turn, opress their
ability to get ahead in life because of poor communication skills. Additionally, if someone only

CULTURAL AND LINGUISTICALLY DIVERSE BACKGROUNDS 6
knows their native language, this may hinder communication in places of work thus making
people lose their jobs.
4. Current Policies Regarding People with Diverse Cultural and Linguistic Backgrounds
In Australia, there are some organizations, resources, and services presented to people from
diverse linguistic and cultural backgrounds. For instance, there are interpretation services which
translate information for the migrants who are not familiar with the local language. Additionally,
there is a directory that contains information on listings of about one thousand five hundred
major organizations focused on individual ethnic communities. These types of services are very
vital to departmental officers whenever they need information concerning matters such as child
protection (Cass, 2017).
There are also settlement services provided to people who have recently migrated to the
country. There is an agreement funded by Commonwealth that aids humanitarian immigrants as
well as refugees. It provides health assessment, information, accommodation, and orientation for
the eligible migrants (Department of Health Behavioral Health, 2012). There is also an access
and equity policy that enables all Australians to access government services regardless of
religion, race or gender. Finally, there are days that have been set aside for the celebration of the
diversity that exists in Australia. Incidentally, the harmony day is celebrated on 21st March to
promote peace in diversity.
5. The Strengths and Weaknesses of Policies with Regards to Diversity
The Australian government is working to promote the principle where cultural diversity is
valued. This includes; respecting the work of carers who come from different cultural
backgrounds, valuing the manner in which parents bring up their children, and encouraging and

CULTURAL AND LINGUISTICALLY DIVERSE BACKGROUNDS 7
respecting diversity in places of work. Four principles have been provided regarding children.
These include; valuing of children’s views, development and survival of children must be
ensured as well as their right to life, consideration of the child’s best interest, and non-
discrimination of children (Bezern, 2015).
Multiculturalism is a policy that has been challenge since it was introduced in 1970 in
Australia. It has maintained some central principles but has evolved due to varying priorities by
the Australian government. It aims at valuing diversity, social justice pursuit, immigrant
integration, the building of the nation, and social cohesion. Various concerns have affected the
debates on multiculturalism. The main issue has been ethnocultural diversity which has brought
about the threat of terrorism (Koleth, 2010). Additionally, there have been challenges faced in a
bid to bring about social cohesion in these diverse communities. Australian authorities, therefore,
need to continue using their policy frameworks in managing their multicultural society and also
be innovative while dealing with the complicated situation of diversity.
Multiculturalism has innumerable of strengths. It has ensured that there is integration
which has brought about better coexistence between different people in the society. It has also
made sure that there is social harmony in Australia while still bringing an acceptance to the
social and cultural diversity that exists (National Multicultural Advisory Council, 1999).
Additionally, multiculturalism is aware that migrants may choose to keep a majority of their
traditions which may even be adopted by fellow Australians. However, it has some weaknesses.
Some people have lost their employment due to the integration of new immigrants, and other
people feel that their values, which identify them as Australians are being eroded (Cass, 2017).
These are some of the concerns felt by various people as a result of multiculturalism. This
has therefore led to increased criticism on the matter. Moreover, there are political parties that

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are emerging which are exploiting these concerns by lobbying for policies intended to bring
division and bigotry among the people. Therefore, it is the role of the government to ensure that
harmony is maintained despite the cultural and linguistic diversity that exists in Australia.

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References
Australia, H. (2017). People from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds.
Bezern. (2015). Multiculturalism Panacea For Ills And Woes Of Migrants Politics Essay.
BIRCH, A. (2008). The Implementation of the White Australia Policy in the Queensland Sugar
Industry 1901-12*. Australian Journal of Politics & History, 11(2), 198–210.
Cass, B. (2017). Cultural Diversity and Challenges in the Provision of Health and Welfare
Services.
Dewhirst, C. (2008). Collaborating on whiteness: representing Italians in early White Australia1.
Journal of Australian Studies, 32(1), 33–49.
Gay, G. (2013). Teaching To and Through Cultural Diversity. Curriculum Inquiry, 43(1), 48–70.
https://doi.org/10.1111/curi.12002
Jupp, J. (2002). From white Australia to Woomera : the story of Australian immigration.
Cambridge University Press.
Koleth, E. (2010). Multiculturalism: a review of Australian policy statements and recent debates
in Australia and overseas – Parliament of Australia.
Lynch, M. (2011). Examining the Impact of Culture on Academic Performance. Retrieved
September 4, 2017, from http://www.huffingtonpost.com/matthew-lynch-edd/education-
culture_b_1034197.html
Michigan Department of Community Health Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities
Administration. (2012). Transforming Cultural and Linguistic Theory into Action, (March).
National Multicultural Advisory Council. (1999). Australian Multiculturalism for a new century:
towards inclusiveness.

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Nicola, H., & Kurzak, K. (2013). Early moves towards a multicultural society in Australia.
Queensland Government. (2010). Working with people from culturally and linguistically diverse
backgrounds, (June), 28.
Sheppard Jill, & Biddle Nicholas. (2015). Is Australia as egalitarian as we think it is?