Myths and metaphors: the portrayal of Aboriginality in the discourse of Indigenous Australians and Others

Jill Gordon-Thomson

This study was prompted by an interest in the links between language, thought and culture which necessitated a multidisciplinary approach. It was designed to provide an answer to the question: "How does the portrayal of Aboriginality in the discourse of Indigenous Australians compare with that of Others?" In answer to this question, this thesis provides an interpretive analysis of texts written by Indigenous Australians and Others, published in or after 1964. This date was chosen because it is a significant starting point for the publishing of works by Aboriginal writers, enabling a balanced comparison with the discourses of Others. It is as a cross-cultural comparison that this study differs from existing analyses of the portrayal of Aboriginality, which have focussed primarily on representations by non-indigenous writers. Using discourse analysis as the chosen methodology, this cross-cultural study resulted in findings that this thesis shows to be significant from a variety of approaches. In relation to the Sapir-Whorf hypothesis, this thesis argues for a circular view of the language-thought-culture linkage, rather than the more generally accepted linear cause-and effect approach. The study shows that language, thought and culture both reflect and also influence one another in a dynamic interaction. Such a view of the relative influences of language, thought and culture is shown to require a multi-valued orientation. Such an orientation 1s also presented as necessary to encompass the many meanings of 'Aboriginality' found in the discourses. The study shows that the word 'Aboriginality' does not indicate a factual 'truth' but, instead, a multifaceted series of images. This thesis establishes that similarities can be found in the categories that emerged from the discourse analysis but that there are too many variations to allow for an argument in favour of the 'strong' version of the Sapir-Whorf hypothesis: that language determines thought. These differing word pictures demonstrate that individuals have the power to construct their own 'realities', supporting the constructivist approach taken for this study. These individual constructions are interpreted in this thesis to establish an argument for a multitude of 'Aboriginalities' and for there being a diversity of Aboriginal cultures and identities, rather than just one culture or identity. It is also concluded that use of the common language, English, by both Indigenous Australians and Others has not so influenced the thinking of the producers of the discourse that they have been unable to resist stereotyping. Instead, they are shown to have painted their own word pictures with their own individual metaphors chosen from the common language. This thesis concludes that the producers of the discourse are not slaves of the language. They are shown to have constructed a multitude of meanings of 'Aboriginality', reflecting many differences in thinking and many different cultures. It is also concluded that they may use the power of language to influence their own thinking and actions, as well as the_ thoughts and cultures of others; since 'Aboriginality' is an abstraction, rather than a concrete 'reality'.

Myths and metaphors: the portrayal of Aboriginality in the discourse of Indigenous Australians and Others

Files and links (1)

Metrics

Abstract

Details

Myths and metaphors: the portrayal of Aboriginality in the discourse of Indigenous Australians and Others

Files and links (1)

Metrics

Abstract

Details

Southern Cross University Social media