By Jorge Jorquera
Many people in education describe multilingualism as a superpower, typically associated with enhanced logic, memory, problem-solving and multitasking skills. But without doubt its greatest power is in social connection. With additional languages we learn to see things the way other people do, not just through our own eyes and interests. It’s not a guarantee of human solidarity but it sure can help.
The Language in Community Festival is now in its third year. If it has a mission, it’s about celebrating meaningful social connection and taking multiculturalism beyond cultural decor. This seems especially important in a world where racism is growing and colonialism has found a new lease of life. Reduced to food and dress-up days at school, multiculturalism becomes decorative and an easy target for ignorance and racism.
Language diversity is the lifeblood of authentic multiculturalism. Language is more than a communication tool, it’s how we make meaning, express care, argue, remember, organise, and resist. When we value multiple languages, we are affirming that there are multiple ways of being human. Every language carries different histories and values. When we lose language we lose ways of understanding kinship and community.
Unfortunately Australia, despite all its ethnic diversity, is known as a “graveyard of languages”. With every generation that loses language we lose the opportunity for different worldviews to coexist and shape a richer public life. You can’t belong in a society that constantly forces you to translate yourself, emotionally and culturally, into a dominant language that flattens your experience. If only English dominates schools, workplaces, and public life, then speakers of other languages are structurally disadvantaged. Real multiculturalism supports multilingualism. It’s a way of redistributing power and breathing life into democracy.
Footscray is the proud host of the Language in Community Festival. Of the suburbs in Australia with the most number of different languages spoken at home, eight are in Victoria, and five of these are in Melbourne’s west. In Footscray almost 40 percent of residents speak a language other than English at home. The third Language in Community Festival builds on the success of previous iterations as the only public celebration of language and multilingualism of its kind in Naarm, Victoria.
The Festival highlights the collective efforts of community groups and organisations working to maintain and pass on language to future generations. These collectives include Kia Puāwai Language School, Amharic Saturday School, and the Association for Vietnamese Culture Studies. Groups like the Language Justice Network bring language work to address issues of language access and equity. Similarly, the deep connections between language, culture and land are central to Jason Tamiru’s contribution. This year’s event will also highlight the collaborative work between Footscray icons the Snuff Puppets and the Australian Vietnamese Arts & Culture group.
For more information about the Festival you can contact either of the two partner organisations who have brought you the Festival since 2023: VietSpeak and Angliss Neighbourhood House, info@languagesfestival.net
The Language in Community Festival is a showcase of cultural exchange, language diversity and community engagement, uniting language communities, artists, educators, advocates and families from across Naarm Melbourne on Saturday 14th March 2026, 11AM – 3PM Seelaf Square, 1 Secomb Place, Footscray
