Writer Andrew Herrick once expressed that ‘we see our world through the words that we use to describe it’. Our identity is generated by these thoughts and by association it is intrinsically linked to the languages that we speak. Language demonstrates the ability to establish cultural and group identity that may act as a rallying point for change. Through an individual’s idiolect it is able to reflect their individual identities. Language embodies the ability to recreate identities. A language is not just used to communicate, but to reflect our identity and shape a sense of group membership through a plethora of features.
Language is a significant aspect in the maintenance of national identity and establishment of group membership. To different groups different
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These elements contribute to the division of those speakers who are considered to be ‘in’ and those who are ‘out’. For those who are out of the group, these features serve only to obfuscate. In a group of English speakers, those speaking the Standard Australian dialect may deliberately pace emphasis on their accent in order to appeal to each other and build rapport. Through lexical means the speakers will employ lexemes such as ‘maccas’ or ‘Fair dinkum’ to obfuscate and isolate those who do not understand, while they seek to create solidarity with those who do. The use of Australian idioms such as ‘she’ll be right’ acts only to enhance the obfuscation of ‘outsiders’. National identity is tightly maintained by the use of particular elements of languages. The Australian national Anthem, for, example, describes Australian cultural values, particularly in verse 2, which states ‘For those who’ve come across the seas, we’ve bound this place to