The sociolinguistic concept of an Ausbau language is widely thought of as exclusively associated with the standardization of languages for the political and social purposes of nation states. Language policy initiated by state institutions, the development of literacy and new specialist registers of language are typical elements involved in the Ausbau process. However, the linguistic ideologies of small language groups such as those of the minority languages of Aboriginal Australia can drive certain forms of deliberate language elaboration. An important aspect of Aboriginal linguistic ideology is language diversity, reflected in the development of elemental sociolinguistic varieties such as patriclan lects. In the Bininj Kun-wok dialect chain of western Arnhem Land, a regional system of lectal di¤erentiation known as Kun-dangwok has developed, reflecting an Aboriginal linguistic ideology whereby being di¤erent, especially di¤erent ways of speaking, are seen as central aspects of identity. The functions of the Kun-dangwok clan lect system are described using examples of naturally occurring conversation which provide evidence that clan lects are the result of an Ausbau process that results in the opposite of language standardization and an increase in Abstand between varieties.
They bin make im Ubarr, everyone bin go there, make that Ubarr, and they bin look that didjeridu. 'Hey! Ubarr alright!' And everyone they bin know…I went in front. They tell me…'This thing you can't tell im kid, you can't tell im friend, you can't tell im anybody, even your wife. You find your son…you can't tell im story about Ubarr, you got to tell im what I'm telling you now. This "outside" story. Anyone can listen, kid, no-matter who, but this "inside" story you can't say. If you go in Ring-place, middle of a Ringplace, you not supposed to tell im anybody…but oh, e's nice.' 2-Bill Neidjie
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.