19th Century Missionary Notions and Practices of Literacy

Reveals the complex socio-historical processes at work, and embedded in languages, and shows how linguistics is enmeshed with an array of political and social agendas. This book highlights the potential sources and types of error.

In this ground-breaking book, Peter Muhlausler and Heidi Kneebone reveal the complex socio-historical processes at work, and embedded in languages, and shows how linguistics is itself enmeshed with an array of political and social agendas. As linguists aim for observational accuracy, and much language revival work of indigenous languages draws heavily on nineteenth century missionary documentation, this book is an invaluable tool for highlighting the potential sources and types of error, which increases the real usefulness of such original documentation.