Talk, Text and Technology

Reviews / Votes

Kral claims in her book to try to 'counter sweeping generalisations about youth, social practices, the development of literacy and the cultural and historical production of literate identities in one remote Aboriginal setting'. She does this very well. Her work has implications for how we think about literacy, literate subjects, literacy as social and cultural practice and change. It is a timely book and, in an environment saturated with deficit conceptualisations and simplistic reading of literacy, it is an uplifting and important read. -- Pauline O'Maley, Victoria University, Australia * Fine Print, a journal of adult English language and literacy education, vol: 37 #3 * An absolutely rare study of how technologies have become integrated into the lifeways of youth. The stunning detail, rich history, and keenly etched personalities make this volume a thought-provoking read. This book should be at the top of the list of anyone interested in youth, literacy, and the blend of old and new in cultures around the world. * Shirley Brice Heath, Stanford University, USA * What is literacy for, if it does not bring better material conditions, more opportunities for meaningful work? From inscribing stories in sand to inscribing birthday cakes, from Bible translation to bilingual education, from early morning speeches in camp to formal open letters, a rich and immensely readable description of Ngaanyatjarra reading, writing and image-making practices emerges from this book. Kral shows how literacy has evolved in these remote Western Australian communities since the 1930s, based on a large corpus of interviews, letters, literacy assessments and school population data. She concludes with glimpses of young Ngaanyatjarra learning skills in informal settings, through filming, art and computer work. The book is essential reading for anyone seeking to understand the ambivalence of Indigenous Australians towards formal education. * Jane Simpson, The Australian National University, Australia *