Introduction: language, identity and spirituality

This book gives voice to experiences of linguistic and spiritual identity in the Australian context. Languages and spirituality are key features of life in all global communities, but particularly in those countries where diversity includes both First Nations people and diaspora populations. This chapter introduces the themes emerging from the 36 narratives and twelve studies. The chapter explains the dialogic nature and rationale of the volume and introduces the broader understandings of language, spirituality and religion. It offers a close focus on projects involving Indigenous language and spirituality. The volume demonstrates that religion and spirituality offer a strong context and motivation in community language learning. The chapter offers a model of the process, domains and outcomes of a linguistic and spiritual identity, as observed in the narratives and studies. The chapter overviews the content, and concludes with the editors’ personal narratives.