Nirukshi Perera’s recent research on the use of the Tamil language in a Saiva temple in Australia looks at the strong connection between language and religion for Tamil Saivites, in particular, those who have Sri Lankan origin. This is the first PhD thesis about the Sri Lankan Tamil diaspora in Australia.
Niru spent a year in the temple’s Sunday school to analyse how the second-generation Tamil youth are using Tamil in the classroom. She found that, even though English is the stronger language for the Saiva students, they are still using the Tamil language when it comes to talking about Saiva religion and Tamil culture. They tend to mix English and Tamil together in ways that are different to their parents and this mixing shows their ability to use the languages in a way that best suits their needs.
One of the main findings is that the temple is helping families to pass on a strong Tamil identity to their Australian-born children. As a result, children want to continue to use the Tamil language to feel part of the local and global Tamil community. This sense of being Tamil is helping children to find their place as the first generation to be raised in Australia.
The thesis is available online at: https://doi.org/10.4225/03/58ffdf87350a0
