The Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) has released the updated Australian Standard Classification of Languages (ASCL), aiming to better reflect the languages spoken at home by Australians. This significant update comes after two formal consultation periods, where input from language experts and communities was gathered. In a notable collaboration, the ABS worked alongside the Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies (AIATSIS) to enhance the representation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander languages in the classification system.
Leonard Hill, a Ngemba man and the chief executive of AIATSIS, expressed his satisfaction with the update, stating, "AIATSIS is very pleased to see the results of our close collaboration with the ABS on the review and update of the ASCL. This will ensure Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities are more accurately represented in the language data collected through the Australian Census." This new version of the ASCL introduces a four-level hierarchy and coding structure, which is designed to provide a more comprehensive overview of Australia’s linguistic diversity.
Among the notable changes, the ABS has created sixty-two new stand-alone language options, with a remarkable 73 percent (45) of these being Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander languages. Additionally, forty-one languages have undergone label changes, with nearly half (20) being Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander languages. The update also links forty-three Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander languages to existing language groups, while seventeen languages have been retired into a related 'not elsewhere classified' (NEC) category, with 71 percent (12) of these being Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander languages.
The 2025 update to the ASCL reflects a growing demand for accurate and consistent language data that can support service delivery, planning, and policy development. By strengthening the classification of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander languages, the ABS aims to enhance visibility and recognition of Australia’s linguistic diversity across key sectors and national frameworks, such as the Closing the Gap initiative.
In a parallel development, Indigenous language revitalists are harnessing social media platforms like TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube to share their knowledge with younger generations. Content creators such as Novalee Fox, Willis Janvier, and Samson Lamontange are at the forefront of this movement, using their platforms to promote Indigenous languages and culture.
Novalee Fox, an Indigenous content creator from the Ochapowace First Nation, focuses on Cree language revitalization. She recalls her upbringing around the Cree language, stating, "When I was a little girl, my chapans [great-grandparents] passed away when they were like 90 years old, but they always spoke to me nothing but Cree from zero to four years old." Despite her early exposure, Fox struggled to understand the stories being told in Cree, which motivated her to pursue language reclamation after high school.
Her journey took a transformative turn during her time at a treatment center in Montreal Lake Cree Nation, where she connected with fluent Cree speakers. "My mental health therapist was fluent Cree, my elder was fluent Cree and also my [Native Alcohol and Drug Abuse Program Worker] was fluent Cree, so we conversed back and forth in Cree," she said. This immersive experience sparked her interest in using social media for language revitalization. About a year and a half ago, she began creating content on TikTok, inspired by the community of fluent Cree speakers she encountered. "I can tell I'm reaching young people, even just in my community. They'll come up to me and we'll say funny words in Cree and we'll converse a little bit. It's a bit broken, but at least they're speaking Cree," she noted.
Fox’s efforts are not just about language; they are also about healing and cultural pride. "Our language is beautiful. It's not evil, it's beautiful, so I feel awesome when I see the kids in my community are online trying to speak because it can happen," she said. She encourages youth to embrace their language journey, emphasizing that it is not their fault that they lost their language, but they can help bring it back.
Willis Janvier, a Dene speaker from Wood Buffalo Dene Nation in northern Saskatchewan, has also made a significant impact through his podcast, Dene Yati (Dene language/ Dene Speaking), which he started during the COVID-19 pandemic. "The foundation of who I am is Dene — Dene language and where I come from," Janvier explained. His podcast has allowed him to connect with audiences across social media platforms, reaching hundreds of thousands of people. "As long as somebody is learning from it, in a positive way, that is what matters," he stated, reflecting on the importance of his work.
Janvier has faced challenges along the way, admitting, "I've wanted to quit many times. In the beginning, I wanted it to work so bad. I could see that people were entertained by some of the content that I was putting out, and I didn't want to fail." However, encouragement from listeners has kept him motivated. "A young lady from northern Saskatchewan said [she] was in foster care, thank you for your podcast, I'm trying to find my language," he shared, illustrating the profound impact of his content.
Samson Lamontange, a Métis school teacher at Georges Vanier Catholic Fine Arts School in Saskatoon, is another key player in this revitalization effort. He shares the Michif language through social media, drawing on his own educational journey. Lamontange learned Michif from a Métis Elder and Michif speaker, Norman Fleury, and began sharing his knowledge online to connect with his students during the pandemic. "I want as many people out there to learn Michif and to use it," he stated, emphasizing the importance of accessibility in language learning.
As these language revitalists continue to inspire a new generation, the updated ASCL stands as a testament to the growing recognition of Australia’s linguistic diversity and the importance of Indigenous languages in shaping cultural identity. The ABS's efforts to enhance representation in the classification system align with the grassroots movements led by individuals like Fox, Janvier, and Lamontange, all of whom are committed to ensuring that Indigenous languages thrive in the digital age.
