Analysis
Editor's note
This year’s OzAsia Symposium (http://www.adelaidefestivalcentre.com.au/ozasia/)
was opened by the Prime Minister. Mr Rudd said his government's mission
was ‘for Australia to be the most Asian literate nation in the western
world’. This, it is to be hoped, is a signal that Asian studies is
squarely on the national policy agenda. The subsequent discussions at the
symposium indicated, however, that many of the problems facing teachers
and students of Asia persist. One of the speakers, Kathe Kirby, executive
director of the Asia Education Foundation and Asialink, argued that ‘Asia
literacy is no longer simply a nice thing to have - it's a core skill for
a 21st century Australia’. To read more about her views go to http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2008/08/18/2338257.htm
The South Australian Minister for Education, Jane Lomax-Smith,
was also at the forum. Hearing the plea from an Indonesian AusAID scholarship
holder, studying teaching in Adelaide, to be allowed to do work placements
in South Australian schools, Lomax-Smith undertook to consider such a sensible
way of getting native speakers into our classrooms.
The most eloquent argument for language learning was put
by the Lieutenant Governor of South Australia, Mr Hieu Van Le, who has kindly
agreed that Asian Currents can reproduce his speech in full:
Language is a deep and profound reflection of who we are.
In my early days here, I remember an Australian asking me: ‘You're
who?’ and I said ‘Yes I'm Hieu’, and I remember my English
teacher asking me, ‘How ya goin', mate ?’ And he was very confused
when I replied, ‘I am going by bus’. I have learnt and discovered
much, much more since then about the Australian language and about Australianness.
I have learnt much about the beauty of language. In my own process of learning
and using English I have discovered the beauty and grandeur of this language,
and also in the process rediscovered and expanded my appreciation of the
beauty and grandeur of my first language, Vietnamese. It is a most wonderful
thing to have another language. Put simply, it expands the mind. English
has become the world's Lingua Franca.
A key reason, I believe, is its 'multicultural' tradition,
as Melvin Bragg said in his book and television series The Adventure of
English, and I quote: ‘For centuries, English was outstandingly successful
at feeding off other languages and turning them into English, often endowing
them with a quality which made them seem agelessly English. Now it is feeding
other languages.’
Languages cross-fertilise each other. James Britton, in
his book Language and Learning, wrote: ‘our world representation comes
from our experience of the world, with language as the organising principle
…’ English can be a great benefit to our multicultural world
and our multicultural world can be a great benefit to English.
The ability to use English has become important, or even
essential, for people around the world. The disadvantage and even danger,
for native English speakers, is that we can succumb to a subtle arrogance
and feel we have no need to learn another language. To so succumb - to relegate
the learning of other languages to some sort of luxury, or indulgence, or
as just being too much trouble to bother - would be our very great loss.
Psychiatrist and author Dr. Norman Doidge, in an interview
on the 7.30 Report, pointed to the recent research that indicates the great
plasticity of the brain, how important it is to ‘get our brain wired’.
He said: ‘In the '60s, there were things that were part of a kind
of classical education that people did away with because they thought that
they were irrelevant. Like an almost fanatical attention to elocution and
handwriting, or memorising long poems.
But, it now turns out that what these activities exercised
very important parts of the brain that allow you to think in long sentences,
have deep internal monologues and a certain amount of grace in all kinds
of expression.’ ‘our world representation comes from our experience
of the world, with language as the organising principle …’ English
can be a great benefit to our multicultural world and our multicultural
world can be a great benefit to English.
The ability to use English has become important, or even
essential, for people around the world. The disadvantage and even danger,
for native English speakers, is that we can succumb to a subtle arrogance
and feel we have no need to learn another language. To so succumb - to relegate
the learning of other languages to some sort of luxury, or indulgence, or
as just being too much trouble to bother - would be our very great loss.
Psychiatrist and author Dr. Norman Doidge, in an interview
on the 7.30 Report, pointed to the recent research that indicates the great
plasticity of the brain, how important it is to ‘get our brain wired’.
He said: ‘In the '60s, there were things that were part of a kind
of classical education that people did away with because they thought that
they were irrelevant. Like an almost fanatical attention to elocution and
handwriting, or memorising long poems.
But, it now turns out that what these activities exercised
very important parts of the brain that allow you to think in long sentences,
have deep internal monologues and a certain amount of grace in all kinds
of expression.’
And of course it is exactly these things that learning
another language does for us. We are wired to learn language. We cannot
think without it. The relationships of words are the keys to our thinking.
The human brain functions like a symphony orchestra. Think
of language as music. Language rings the bells of the senses as much as
it turns the pages of our mental dictionaries.
We are wired for language and the latest research indicates
that we are wired by our language. Understanding a language is such a key
to understanding a culture, for when we understand a language we also learn
to understand the thinking - the culture - behind the language.
In our brain, language is the music of our ideas. If we
are lucky enough to have a second language we have another musical key for
our ideas.
We have a role, a rich and particular inheritance, to give
English to the world - this remarkable plastic mongrel language, the richness
of which comes from its history and ability for creative word-theft. At
the same time we would be so foolish if we did not place huge importance
on gaining the gifts other languages bring.
Asian nations are our closest neighbours and should play
a large part in our global outlook. We need to wire ourselves for that.
The main Asian languages studied in this State in government schools are
Japanese, Indonesian, Mandarin and Vietnamese. Sadly over the past five
years, there has been a decline in the number of students studying an Asian
language. Nationally, only 5.8 per cent of students study an Asian language
in Year 12.
On the other hand, Asian students, as part of their compulsory
curriculum, learn at least one foreign language, mostly English, in their
first year of high school, with equal importance placed on the learning
of English as on other subjects in the curriculum.
The power that languages give our brain is enormous. The
great German writer Goethe put it beautifully: ‘For just when ideas
fail, a word comes in to save the situation’.
Mr Hieu Van Le is Lieutenant Governor of South Australia
and Chairman of the South Australian Multicultural And Ethnic Affairs Commission
http://www.multicultural.sa.gov.au/commission/speeches.htm
Profile
This month we profile Colin Heseltine, former diplomat,
including as Australian ambassador to the Republic of Korea, colinheseltine@hotmail.com
Q: When did you become interested in Asia and why?
A: Most of my forty year career with the Australian Department
of Foreign Affairs and Trade (1969-2008) was involved with Asia, including
many postings in the region and senior policy advisory positions in Canberra.
In 2006 I was appointed by the Australian Government to head the Asia Pacific
Economic Cooperation (APEC) Secretariat in Singapore during Australia’s
host APEC year in 2007. I served as Australian ambassador to the Republic
of Korea from 2001-2005, head of the Australian Commerce and Industry Office
(Australia’s unofficial mission in Taiwan) from 1992-1997 and deputy
head of mission in the Australian Embassy in Beijing from 1982-85 and 1988-1992.
Q: What are your current preoccupations? And how do
these fit into the contemporary scene?
A: Having worked on major strategic, economic and
trade policy issues involving Australia’s interests in the Asia Pacific
region and closely with Australian companies doing business in the region
during my DFAT career, my current focus is to use this experience and knowledge
to develop trade and political strategies for private, public sector and academic
organisations in pursuit of their Asian activities.
Q: What are your hopes for Asian Studies in Australia?
A: Awareness and understanding of Asia among Australians, especially
young people, have clearly grown exponentially in past decades. However there
is still much work to be done between the business sector and Asian studies
institutes in Australia in more productively developing Asian language and
cultural skills among young Australians and using them in such a way that
business can take full advantage of them. There is an important need for business
to work more closely, and in a coordinated way, with Asian studies groups,
to leverage off each other’s experience and contacts. Too many talented
and Asia-savvy young Australians are still finding it difficult to have their
capabilities understood and appreciated by the business sector; opportunities
are being lost, both for individuals and for firms. All of us interested in
Australia’s relations with Asia should focus on how we can most effectively
harness the talents of young graduates of Asian studies for use where the
needs – and the stakes - are greatest.
Links:
In an article recently published by the Nautilus Institute, Australia
and South Korea: new governments…new opportunities? Colin Hesletine
argues that, despite substantial economic ties between Australia and Korea,
the relationship lacks a sense of the long-term strategic importance of the
relationship which drives Australia's relationships with its two other north-east
Asian partners, Japan and China. See: http://www.globalcollab.org/Nautilus/australia/apsnet/policy-forum/2008/heseltine-opportunities
Student of the month
Angus Fraser is a student at the University
of Queensland. He has completed a major in Japanese and is finishing his Bachelor
of Arts/Commerce. While learning Japanese, he visited Japan and participated
in exchanges, convincing him of the value of biculturalism.
Angus observes that most people are only dimly aware of their
own culture. They become so immersed in certain subcultures, such as those
that grow through connections to a sport they enjoy watching, that they are
unaware of how others view the world. He argues that knowing more about alternatives
will enhance your understanding of your own culture, giving you a fresh take
that allows you to see your previous life anew, and value it more. These insights
are best gained through study of another language. They make you see the street
you walk down in a new light.
Angus’ interest is in Japan; it is, he observes, a
nation which is excellent at producing cultural goods. Comparing the highly
urbanised yet immensely safe nation of Japan to the expansive and resourceful
Australia, you can see two different and interesting cultures, and you can
know each better by comparing the two.
For example, Japan has a publishing and entertainment culture
dwarfed only by the United States. This has been attributed by some writers
to the urban nature of Japan; as you take the train into work, you are allowed
time to read, as opposed to the car culture of Australia, where reading is
an active exercise which requires sacrifice of time.
In Australia’s favour, you can see we have a stronger
culture of live theatre, a result of the limited number of television opportunities
for actors. Ironically, this has led to Australia being the training place
of many of the more skilled actors of the moment.
The more you know about a foreign culture, the more you tend
to like it. But the more you know about world cultures, the more you can understand
your own. Perhaps the true value of learning a second language and culture
is learning about yourself, and your culture.
Website of the month
http://www.nbr.org/programs
The National Bureau of Asian Research (NBR)
is a non-profit, non-partisan research institution dedicated to informing
and strengthening policy. One current project is an investigation into Emerging
Leaders in East Asia: The Next Generation of Political Leadership in China,
Japan, South Korea, and Taiwan See http://www.nbr.org/programs/northeast/currentprojects.html#emerglead
Recent publication of interest
The Arts of Independence. Frank Sullivan in Singapore and Malaysia
by Neil Manton traces the life of Frank Sullivan, an Australian journalist
who settled in Singapore after World War Two and worked for the Malayan Broadcasting
Service until moving to Malaysia to become the Press Secretary to the Prime
Minister, Tunku Abdul Rahman. In both countries Sullivan was a strong supporter
of the emerging contemporary art movement. In the economic downturn of the
1970s he lost everything, and was eventually brought back to Australia by
his faithful sister He died in 1989. To buy the book, contact the author at
manton@cyberone.com.au (cost $30
plus postage), or the Asia Bookroom books@AsiaBookroom.com
Did you know?
The Australian Parliament’s Joint Standing Committee
on Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade is conducting an inquiry into Human
Rights Mechanisms and the Asia-Pacific. Its terms of reference are to
inquire and report on international and regional mechanisms currently in place
to prevent and redress human rights violations, with a view to providing options
on possible models that may be suitable for the Asia-Pacific region, with
a focus on: the United Nations human rights system; regional mechanisms; and
roles for parliaments. The Committee invites interested persons and organisations
to make submissions addressing the terms of reference by 20 November
2008. See http://www.aph.gov.au/house/committee/jfadt/asia_pacific_hr/index.htm
Diary dates
PICTURE PARADISE - THE FIRST CENTURY OF ASIA-PACIFIC
PHOTOGRAPHY 1840s-1940s 11 July - 9 November, Canberra. This exhibition
is the first survey of the history of photography from India and Sri Lanka
through Southeast Asia, Australia and the Pacific to the west coast of North
America National Gallery of Australia Parkes Place, Parkes, Canberra. http://nla.gov.au/pict/photofestival.html
THE LOST BUDDHAS Chinese Buddhist sculpture from
Qingzhou 29 August - 23 November 2008, Sydney. Lost for over 800
years – the discovery of some 400 Buddhist figures by construction workers
levelling a sports field is considered one of the most significant archaeological
finds of the 20th century. Thirty-five of the best preserved and most exquisite
sculptures will travel from China to the Art Gallery of NSW. This is the first
time that these works will be seen in Australia. http://www.artgallery.nsw.gov.au/exhibitions/current/lost_buddhas
THE CRICKET AND THE DRAGON ANIMALS IN ASIAN ART,
17 October 2008 to 15 March 2009, Melbourne. Aimed at children of
all ages, this exhibition explores images of animals from the National Gallery
of Victoria’s Asian Collection. The exhibition covers all media and
a wide time period. http://www.ngv.vic.gov.au/cricketandthedragon/index.html
ASIA WEEK 2008 20-23 October, Melbourne.
Through four days of concerts, workshops, seminars, and lectures, Asia Week
2008 showcases the diversity of intellectual, artistic, and cultural activities
of the Asia Institute at the University of Melbourne and its partnering institutions,
focusing primarily on the languages and cultures of China, Japan, Indonesia,
and the Islamic world. For complete schedule and event details as they become
available, visit: www.asiainstitute.unimelb.edu.au
ISLAMIC FINANCE COLLOQUIUM, 23 October, Melbourne.
Asialink and the National Centre of Excellence for Islamic Studies are hosting
this colloquium on Islamic banking, the fastest growing sector of the banking
industry with funds up to US$200 billion, growth at more than 15% per annum
and 150 financial institutions operating in more than 40 countries. This event
will introduce the foundations and principles of Islamic financial practices,
as well as explore the growing global and local opportunities for the industry.
9:00 am start – 1:00 pm; Novotel, 270 Collins St., Melbourne; cost $85
(full) / $70 (Asialink, FINSIA & MCFS Members) / $55 (concession) For
more information, see http://www.asialink.unimelb.edu.au/events/
upcoming_events/islamic_finance_colloquium
TIMOR-LESTE HEALTH AND DEVELOPMENT RESEARCH FORUM,
24 October, Sydney. The forum presents an opportunity for diverse
academic communities to reflect on aspects of current health, development
and social science research in Timor-Leste. Some early insights from fieldwork
undertaken as part of the Timor-Leste Health Care Seeking Behaviour Study
will be presented for discussion. This study is led by a team from the University
of New South Wales, in collaboration with the Timor-Leste Ministry of Health,
Timor-Leste National Statistics Directorate and Fundacaun Alola, and funded
by AusAID. Venue: Arcade Room of the University of New South Wales Kensington
Campus on 8:30-5:00pm. See http://www.sphcm.med.unsw.edu.au/SPHCMWeb.nsf/page/ResStrengthGlobal
Attendance is free but places are limited. Contact Stephanie
North on +61 2 9385 1052 or s.north@unsw.edu.au.
AUSTRALIAN MEDIA AND INDONESIA, 29 October, Sydney.
Professors Rodney Tiffen and Adrian Vickers present this seminar at 4:30 –
6:00 pm Education Seminar Room 325 as part of the Asian Studies Lecture Series
@ Sydney University http://www.arts.usyd.edu.au/departs/asianstudies/news/index.shtml
REFUGEES AND REBELS: Indonesian Exiles in Wartime
Australia, 29 October, Sydney.
Hamish McDonald, Asia-Pacific Editor, Sydney Morning Herald, will launch Jan
Lingard’s book at Gleebooks on Wednesday 29 October, 6.00 for 6.30 pm
49 Glebe Point Road, Glebe RSVP Gleebooks Phone 9660 2333 Or email: events@gleebooks.com.au
For information on this book visit http://refugeesandrebels-janlingard.32phillip.com.au
RESEARCHING THE GARMENT INDUSTRY IN THE ASIA-PACIFIC, 5 November,
Sydney. Professors Adrian Vickers and Elspeth Probyn discuss this
issue from 4:30 – 6:00 pm at Education Seminar Room 325 as part of the
Asian Studies Lecture Series @ Sydney University http://www.arts.usyd.edu.au/departs/asianstudies/news/index.shtml
VIETNAM UPDATE 2008, Labour in Vietnam, 6-7 November
2008, ANU, Canberra. The 2008 Vietnam Update takes up the timely
issue of labour in Vietnam. It will explore the theme of labour broadly, including
Vietnam's position in regional labour markets; the socialist legacy in the
globalised workplace; everyday working conditions and experiences; the regulatory
framework; the changing industrial relations system; the politics of labour;
the protection of labour rights; and the internationalisation of labour standards.
Convenor: Anita Chan, Contemporary China Centre, Research School of Pacific
and Asian Studies, The Australian National University: anita.chan@anu.edu.au
INDIA UPDATE 2008, India in Australia/India and Australia,
6-7 November 2008, Canberra. If you still think India is Ambassador
cars, steam trains and Sunil Gavaskar, you need to be updated on India. As
21st-century India burgeons, its intellectual and investment capital is bringing
India and Australia into unprecedented daily interaction: in education, science,
mining, media—and of course, sport. India Update puts outstanding speakers
on a common platform to reflect on changes in the India-Australia relationship
and on India’s recent political and economic course. Jointly organized
by the University of Canberra and ANU College of Asia and the Pacific. Convenors:
Robin Jeffrey, College of Asia and the Pacific, ANU, and Auriol Weigold, Faculty
of Communication and International Studies, University of Canberra. http://rspas.anu.edu.au/director/india_update
TOKYO WAR CRIMES TRIAL CONFERENCE: 10-12 November,
Melbourne. The Asia Pacific Centre for Military Law at Melbourne
Law School announces a forthcoming major international conference and public
lecture to commemorate the 60th Anniversary of the Judgment in the Tokyo War
Crimes Trial. The conference will be important as a way of enhancing the prospects
of global justice, understanding a neglected aspect of Australasian history
and continuing to promote friendship and reconciliation among Asian neighbours
and Australia. VENUE: University of Melbourne Law School, 185 Pelham Street,
Carlton. COST: Conference ($275; Student/Concession $99), Dinner ($110). Contact
Cathy Hutton at law-apcml@unimelb.edu.au
or (03) 8344 4775
GLOBALISING RELIGIONS AND CULTURES IN THE ASIA-PACIFIC,
1-5 December 2008, Adelaide. This conference is the 2008 Signature
Event for the Asia-Pacific Futures Research Network. With religion and culture
as the key themes, the conference covers areas central to understanding the
current state, diffusion and evolution of religious beliefs in the Asia-Pacific
as well as their cultural and other consequences. In addition to its academic
conference, the Event features three major public forums, link-ups with Australian
media, side events and tours. The culminating event, the conference banquet,
will be held under the direction of one of Australia’s most famous chefs,
Simon Bryant. Contact: sigevent08@adelaide.edu.au
or go to at http://www.adelaide.edu.au/sigevent08/
ISLAM AND SECULARISM IN MALAYSIA, Workshop, 4 December,
Canberra. This workshop includes speakers Prof. Andrew Willford (Cornell),
Dr Yeoh Seng Guan (Monash-Malaysia), Dr Farish Noor (NTU, Singapore) and a
screening of short films relating to Islam and secularism in Malaysia. For
more information, contact Dr Gaik Cheng Khoo gaikcheng.khoo@anu.edu.au
MALAYSIA AND SINGAPORE IN THE NEW MILLENNIUM: Contesting
Old Paradigms, 5-6 December, Canberra. Call
for papers by 24 October on Islam, secularism, 2008 elections, gender,
ethnic politics, migrant labor, civil society, bilateral/regional relations,
biography/ autobiography, terrorism, human rights. Abstracts should be no
more than 300
words. Convenors: Lily Zubaidah Rahim L.Rahim@usyd.edu.au;
John Funston jfunston@pcug.org.au.
For further information contact Ms Sue Mills sue.mills@anu.edu.au
or http://www.une.edu.au/malaysiasoc
SHAKUHACHI PERFORMANCE CONCERT, 13 December, Melbourne.
This inaugural Shakuhachi Performance Concert presents winning compositions
from USA, Australia and Japan performed by Australia's leading Shakuhachi
masters and instrumentalists. TIME: 3.30pm VENUE: Melba Hall, University of
Melbourne. Book online at www.shakuhachichambermusic.net
or by calling 9739-7340 (reserved seating)
THE 18TH NEW ZEALAND ASIAN STUDIES SOCIETY INTERNATIONAL
CONFERENCE 2009, Wellington, 6-8 July, 2009. This will be an open,
multidisciplinary conference. Participants are invited to submit panel or
paper proposals presenting original research on any Asia-related topic. For
more information, please the see conference website:
http://www.nzasia.org.nz/conference.html
Paper abstracts due by 15 March 2009 to the chair of the organising committee:
stephen.epstein@vuw.ac.nz
MAJU BERSAMA The Australian Society of Indonesian
Language Educators (ASILE)
Biennial Conference, Sydney, 14-15 July, 2009. ASILE is now calling
for expressions of interest for papers and workshops at the 2009 conference.
This is an excellent opportunity to contribute to and participate in a conference
with a national audience interested in directions for the future of Indonesian
language education. Small teams of presenters working together on projects
are also encouraged to register. Any queries, please contact: Andrea Corston
phone: (08) 8683 4751; acorston@internode.on.net
You are welcome to advertise Asia-related events in this
space. Send details to: fbeddie@infinite.net.au
Feedback
What would be useful for you? Human interest stories, profiles
of successful graduates of Asian studies, more news about what's on, moderated
discussions on topical issues? Send your ideas to fbeddie@infinite.net.au.
About the ASAA
The Asian Studies Association of Australia (ASAA) promotes
the study of Asian languages, societies, cultures, and politics in Australia,
supports teaching and research in Asian studies and works towards an understanding
of Asia in the community at large. It publishes the Asian Studies Review
journal and holds a biennial conference. ASAA and the Centre for Language
Studies at National University of Singapore also co-publish an annual supplementary
issue of the Centre's fully peer-reviewed electronic Foreign Language Teaching
Journal (e-FLT). See http://e-flt.nus.edu.sg
The ASAA believes there is an urgent need to develop a strategy to preserve,
renew and extend Australian expertise about Asia. It has called on the government
to show national leadership in the promotion of Australia’s Asia knowledge
and skills. See Maximizing Australia's Asia Knowledge Repositioning and
Renewal of a National Asset http://coombs.anu.edu.au/SpecialProj/ASAA/asia-knowledge-book-v70.pdf
Asian Currents is published by the
Asian Studies Association of Australia (ASAA). It is edited by Francesca Beddie.
The editorial board consists of Robert Cribb, ASAA President; Michele Ford,
ASAA Secretary; Mina Roces, ASAA Publications officer; and Lenore Lyons, ASAA
Council member.
