Celebrating language diversity in the West of Narrm Melbourne

Saturday 9th December

The languages we speak are central to our communities and who we are in so many ways. We all have unique words and phrases for expressing our thoughts and emotions, for connecting, sharing and expressing our values and culture. Language influences how we look at the world and how we remember it. It carries our collective memory and the history of our communities.

This history is especially rich in the West of Narrm Melbourne. Across the Brimbank, Wyndham and Maribyrnong local government areas, over 54% of people use a language other than English at home. In the City of Maribyrnong alone, we speak 82 different languages in our homes, with our families, friends and neighbours.

The Language in Community Festival is about celebrating this language diversity and supporting its continuity from generation to generation. Without language diversity there is no real multiculturalism.

We invite every language community to participate! You can contribute as individuals, families or community organisations.