In-Person Panel PS2.6

Intersecting Identities: Language Policy, Racism, and Transnational Engagement in Diverse Contexts

Yellow Peril, Brown Terror: The Global Virus of Anti-Asian Racism across Closed Borders

Rahul K. Gairola

On September 24, 2022, I was almost killed when a random, white Australian male whom I had never seen or met fiercely “king hit/coward punched” me. He did so immediately after mocking my speech with a faux “Indian” accent, although I clearly speak with a discernible East Coast American accent. It is painfully evident here that his xenophobic mockery referenced my Brown skin, the Indian ethnicity of which I am deeply proud. Infamous throughout Australia for killing strangers, a “king hit” or “coward punch” is academically defined as “when a single blow to the head causes a victim to fall to the ground unconscious, either from the punch itself or the impact between the head and ground. This can result in fatal skull fractures and subdural hematomas.” For many folks of Asian descent, experiences of explicit and covert racism constitute an anticipated itinerary that we often rationalize as the price immigrants to Australia, the US, the UK, Canada, and other countries must pay. This paper explores this experience and global anti-Asian racism in the era of COVID-19 by analysing a racist political cartoon from the 1800s and drawing its historical trajectory from into the present’s recent, woeful “No” vote.

Family Language Policy Unveiled: Korean-English Families' Language Journey  in Australia and South Korea 

Soyeon Kim 

In response to the increasing prevalence of cross-cultural families worldwide, the field of Family Language Policy (FLP), which pertains to language planning within households among family members, has gained prominence and scholarly attention in select regions. Within this emerging domain, this thesis is dedicated to a specific investigation of cross-cultural families comprising Korean and English L1 parents, along with their children residing in both South Korea and Australia. This particular amalgamation of national backgrounds has not been extensively explored, making it a focal point of this study. 

The study seeks to discern the intricate relationship between language usage and a myriad of internal and external factors influencing these families. Employing a mixed-methods research approach, the researcher gathered data from a total of 25 couples, conducting 50 interviews in both South Korea and Australia as part of the study. Data analysis delves into the intricate interplay of various variables within these families, illuminating the development of FLP within the Interdisciplinary Framework of FLP, as proposed by Curdt-Christianses in 2018. 

The research findings unveil that, despite their chosen family language policy, cross-cultural families comprising Korean and English speakers in Australia and Korea prioritise English in their communication practices. Furthermore, the study highlights the significant role played by English, a language highly esteemed in society, in shaping the language practices of parents, regardless of their country of residence. This study aspires to contribute valuable insights to the field of FLP by examining cross-cultural families residing in two distinct nations.

Engaging with Indonesia: (Re)turn journeys from The Netherlands and Australia 

Jorien van Beukering 

This presentation examines connections between Indonesia, The Netherlands, and Australia. Until the 1940s Indonesia was a Dutch colony, with sovereignty transferred officially in December 1949. After Indonesian independence some 400,000 Indisch Dutch migrated permanently from Indonesia to The Netherlands (Beets et al, 2003), and some migrated on to third countries including Australia and New Zealand. This paper examines the types of connections that second and third generation Indisch Dutch – both in the Netherlands and in Australia – have made with Indonesia in the 2000s and 2010s, specifically engaging with (re)turn journeys to Indonesia. The paper asks what possibilities do (re)turn journeys open up for younger Indisch Dutch to engage and connect with Indonesia, and what challenges are involved in this type of connection? These questions are answered by drawing upon interview data with members of the second and third generations of Indisch Dutch in Australia and the Netherlands.

Gurkhas and the Occupation of Japan 

Rowena Ward 

Between March 1946 and October 1947, around 10,000 troops from British-India and Nepal formed part of BRINDIV (British-India Division) which participated in the Allied Occupation of Japan. The use of the British-India troops was a deliberate ploy to show the diversity and unity of the British Commonwealth. This presentation introduces some of the operational and ceremonial activities of the 5th Royal Gurkha Rifles 2nd Battalion which was deployed to Japan as part of BRINDIV. Ceremonial duties included guard duties at the Imperial Palace and British Embassy. The presentation also addresses two of the ‘issues’ which the Gurkhas were involved: a ‘stampede’ of an estimated 600 Gurkhas with their khurkris raised against the Military Police in Okayama; and 2) the Gurkhas’ refusal to take guard duty in Tokyo. Both incidents were the result of a belief by the Gurkhas that they were being unfairly treated. The aim of the presentation is to highlight the presence of the Gurkha troops in the Occupation but also to show the divisions within the occupation forces and the incidents which arose.