Native Tongue Title

The term was coined by linguist and revivalist Ghil'ad Zuckermann.[1][3][4] He modelled it on the pre-existent Australian term Native Title, which refers to the common law doctrine according to which the land rights of Indigenous peoples persist after the assumption of sovereignty under settler colonialism.[5]^:240–265

Zuckermann argues that despite Native Title, and although some Australian states have enacted ex gratia compensation schemes for the victims of the Stolen Generations policies, the victims of linguicide are overlooked. He proposes that existing competitive grant schemes by the Australian Government to support Australian Aboriginal languages should be complemented with compensation schemes, which are based on a claim of right rather than on competition.[5]^:259

Nonetheless, anthropologist Timothy Haines argues that "Zuckermann's remarkable achievement" of reclaiming the Barngarla language "arguably assisted in the process of the recognition of the Barngarla people's native title. Indeed, the Federal Court judge presiding over the Barngarla's native title hearing, Justice John Mansfield noted that the Barngarla's active pursuit of language revival — empowered by Zuckermann's renewed “revivalist” efforts — was a clear indication of their continued connection with their land and culture. This was despite the separation that many had endured as “Stolen Generation” children of the 1960s and 70s, when they were forcibly removed by the State to homes in Adelaide, far distant from their native Eyre Peninsula in South Australia's west."[6]