Trends and Changes in Home Language Use and Shift in Australia, 1986-1996

TLDR

Australia’s language demographics have changed significantly over the past decade, largely due to immigration and language‑shift patterns, as captured in the 1986, 1991, and 1996 censuses. The study analyzes 1996 census language use, compares it with 1986 and 1991 data, and examines state‑level and city‑level trends, age patterns, and the impact of language shift on demographic changes. The authors compare language‑shift rates across the three censuses and cross‑tabulate them by generation, age, gender, family and marriage patterns, state, and residence period to identify factors that promote or impede language maintenance.

Abstract

Abstract The language demography of Australia has undergone substantial changes over the pastdecade,due mainly to new immigration and differentialpatterns of language shift. The last three Australian censuses, taken in 1986, 1991 and 1996, have all elicited the same information on language use. In this paper we will analyse the responses to the 1996 Census and compare them with those in the two previous censuses. We will discuss the divergent trends in different states and especially between the two largest cities, Sydney and Melbourne. Cross-tabulation with age will indicate future trends. We will discuss the extent to which language shift has effected the changes in language demography. Comparisons of language shift rates between the three censuses and cross-tabulations with generation, age, gender, family marriage patterns, state and period of residence will help identify factors promoting and impeding language maintenance.