As census data reveals a drop in the number of Greek-speaking Australians, the Greek-Australian community wants to ensure their mother language survives across the generations.
Some well-known Greek-Australians are joining a campaign to encourage the use of the Greek language during the month of March.
Journalist Helen Kapalos and celebrity chef George Calombaris have put their support behind the “Speak Greek in March” initiative.
An idea born out of Victoria, “Speak Greek in March” will see a range of community and school-based activities to promote the Greek language throughout the month.
One event will use Skype to link Greek-language students in Australia with others around the world.
And newly elected MP Steve Dimopoulos will deliver a speech to the Victorian parliament to commemorate a major Greek national holiday and promote multilingualism in Australia.
According to the 2011 census, around 18 per cent of Australians speak a language other than English in the home.
Over 250,000 Australians speak Greek, and almost half of that population is in Victoria.
But the data also reveals those numbers are dropping.
The Chairman of “Speak Greek in March”, Mike Zafiropoulos, AM, is concerned.
He says multilingualism is important to a multicultural nation such as Australia.
“It can offer us social, economic and academic benefits,” he told SBS. “It will enable us to negotiate trade relationships with other nations in the language of those nations."
