Academic literature on the topic 'Australian-Lebanese'

The media representations of the terrorist attacks of September 11 in the United States and their aftermath bear strong similarities to the media coverage of ‘Lebanese youth gangs' over the last few years — both rely significantly on the metaphor of war. This paper explores two media narratives about Lebanese youth gangs which draw on this metaphor — the first deploys a simple us/them structure which, like the dominant Western reportage of the terrorist crisis, turns on a form of moral reduction in which the forces of good and evil are relatively clear. The accumulated imagery of Lebanese gangs, drugs, crime, violence and ‘ethnic gang rape’ articulates a dangerous otherness of those of Arabic-speaking background — echoed in the coverage of the terrorist ‘attack on America'. This simple narrative, however, gives way to a second, emerging narrative about Lebanese youth gangs which also relies on the metaphor of war but acknowledges the moral duplicity of both ‘combatants' — registering the culpability of the state and its police service but distancing ‘the ordinary Australian ‘from this culpability. The second narrative, like the first, tries to recuperate a moral innocence for the ‘ordinary Australian’, but in doing so underlines a crisis in Australian multiculturalism.

This study aims to investigate how Lebanese Arabic speakers living in Australia utilise their linguistic taboos, with the purpose of comprehending their cross-cultural adaptation in the Australian context. The specific research focal point of this study includes how and why Lebanese Arabic speakers of different age range use linguistic taboo words. A total of 56 Lebanese students were deemed to satisfy the participation criteria. A research tool, NVIVO 10 software, was used to analyse the questionnaires and interviews and to help sort major themes, as identified above, for critical discussion. The results show that the older participants tend to use a specially designed euphemistic form of linguistic taboo whereas the younger participants’ use of linguistic taboo is much influenced by some factors such as peer pressures and video games, and they do not always use more taboo words than older participants as reported in previous research. The results indicate the complicated and dynamic sociolinguistic context of the Lebanese community regarding the use of linguistic taboo in Australia. Additionally, it provides insights into how Lebanese speakers manage linguistic taboos successfully in social interactions using their cross-linguistic skills and cross-cultural knowledge.

The research described in this paper examined the Maronite spirituality of 33 young Australian-Lebanese adults who attended a Maronite1 Catholic Church in Sydney, Australia. Data gathered through qualitative methods of in-depth and focus group interviews were collated using grounded theory, to reveal the cultural resources utilized as interpretive structures for their life journeys. Apparent influences on their Maronite spirituality is evidenced through ecclesial, social and cultural contexts.

This article looks at the Australian film, Jammin' in the Middle E, which was televised in Australia in 2006 on the multicultural channel SBS. It explores the ways in which rap music is appropriated in the film, and subsequently used as a collective form of expression at a time of increased public and media hostility towards Muslims. While it argues that rap helps to develop an alternative cultural space, developing a Lebanese-Australian subject position still quite rare in Australian cultural texts, it also contends that Jammin', like the rap music which frames it and occurs throughout the narrative, is not a clear-cut and emancipatory text, but is fraught with the particular tensions of its time and place.

Abstract The cross-linguistic research reported in this paper was designed to investigate language-specific and universal aspects of emotion display in teacher interactions with pre-school children. It assumes that communicative strategies are underpinned by beliefs about the appropriate and strategic use of emotion, and the different values given to emotion expression. Using data from Australian-English interactions and Australian Lebanese-Arabic interactions, the study uses semantic and conversation analysis to compare and contrast the coincidence of emotion expression and interactive intention. It explains the language-specific preferences for expres-sion of certain emotions; and how emotion display contributes to the teacher role. The study found language-specific preferences for expressing negative and positive emotion in feedback and encouragement strategies that reflect language-specific role expectations.

One of the most cited features of the supposed migrant “ethnolect” in Australian English is the pronunciation of word-final -er. This article presents data from sociolinguistic interviews that support the view that there is a pronunciation difference between Anglo and non-Anglo speakers in Sydney, and that this difference is most pronounced in Greek and, to a lesser extent, Lebanese speakers. The variant the Greek and Lebanese speakers tend to use more than the Anglo speakers is backed and lengthened, and commonly used in words with final High Rising Tone (HRT). There is some evidence that Greeks are leading a change to a more backed variant. I show that length, backing, and HRT make up a style of speaking that I call “new (er)”. This style is indexical of being Greek for some, but more basically creates a stance of authoritative connection. These findings are significant for understanding the spread of new linguistic features, and how the meanings of some linguistic variables contribute to linguistic change.

Greek cafés were a feature of Australian cities and country towns from the 1910s to the 1960s. Anglophile Australians, who knew the Greeks as dagos, were possessed of culinary imaginations that did not countenance the likes of olive oil, garlic, or lemon juice. As a result, Greek cafés catered to Australian tastes and became the social hubs of their communities. After establishing the diverse and evolving nature of food offered in Greek shops since their origins in the late nineteenth century – oyster saloons, cafés, fish shops, fruit shops, milk bars, snack bars, confectioneries – this article uses the concepts of “disgust” and “hunger” to offer new insights about food and identity in Australia’s Greek community and in the wider Australian culinary landscape. In particular, it applies Ghassan Hage’s work on nostalgia among Lebanese immigrants to the situation of Greek proprietors and reveals how memories of a lost homeland allowed café families to feel “at home” in Australia. In a land of “meat-n-three-veg,” a moussaka recipe the family had known for generations offered both a sense of identity and the comfort of familiarity, and Greek cafés, because they represented hope and opportunity, were familial spaces where feelings of nostalgia were affective building blocks with which Greeks engaged in homebuilding in a new land. And although their cafés did not serve Greek food, Greek proprietors and their families did eventually play a role in introducing the Australian palette to Mediterranean foods and foodways.

The purpose of this thesis is to examine the educational outcomes of Lebanese-background students in high schools in South-western Sydney, and to investigate some of the factors contributing to their pattern of achievement. The main thrust of this study is to empirically examine in detail two factors which are strong contributors to school achievement. The first is the motivational goals of these students. The second is the Language proficiency of Lebanese-background students in their first language (Arabic) and their second lanaguage (English). The study involves quantitative analyses of two sets of questionnaires administered to all the Year 9 students in three South-western metropolitan Sydney high schools. The Year 10 School Certificate results of this same group of students was then used to measure their level of achievement. Four groups were established for comparison: the non-Lebanese-, English-, Chinese- and Vietnamese- background groups. This study is contextualized within a discussion of some of the family factors which contribute to the achievement of migrant children in schools. Of particular relevance to Lebanese-background students are the socio-economic and educational background of parents, and the historical and social context of the Lebanese in Australia. The thesis concludes by putting forth some recommendations which involve the collaborative efforts of the home, the school and the community, suggesting that part of the solution lies in this collaborative effort. Boundaries can be crossed and stereotypes changed only through a concerted effort by the three sides
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

In modern industrialized countries coronary heart disease is the single most important cause of death and disability as well as the biggest cause of premature death. There are known global geographical variations in the incidence of coronary heart disease with currently the Eastern European countries having the highest mortality rates, Australia in the middle of the range and Spain, France and Japan having the lowest. Coronary heart disease still remains to be a leading cause of death in Australia, despite its decline in the past 25 years, which is mainly attributed to the improvements in medical management and to the lower prevalence of behaviours which increase the risk of heart disease. Australia is a multicultural society and a country where one person in five is born overseas thus, its national health profile is significantly determined by the health of its immigrants. It is evident from the literature that the mortality rate from CHD amongst immigrant groups in Australia is lower than that of the Australian-born. This is explained by the stringent selection processes involved in migration approvals where only healthy strong immigrants are selected to come to Australia. However, there is increasing incidence of coronary heart disease amongst migrant Australians. Some of the identified factors that may be influencing this increase are mainly those associated with the stress of migration and settlement, loss of status and socioeconomic disadvantage, limited access to health information as well as changes of life style which occur with increased acculturation as the duration of residence in Australia increases. This study was designed to examine the cardiovascular health profile, health knowledge, attitudes, beliefs, and health behaviours, perceptions and barriers to behavioural change of an adult sample of a non-English speaking background community in Melbourne namely, the Australian-Lebanese. The health practices of this migrant group had never been studied and to date there is a paucity of literature regarding their health needs. This study provided information on the demographic and physical characteristics, life style factors, health and associated behaviours in relation to cardiovascular risk factors. The summary of findings below highlights a number of points of interest, and where possible comparisons were made with national figures derived from the 1989 National Heart Foundation Risk Factor Prevalence Study (NHF, 1990). The main findings were: Blood pressure and hypertension: The proportion of men and women who were hypertensive in this study increased steadily with age. 12.5% men and 7% of the women were found to have a diastolic blood pressure above 95mmHg. This is higher than the national figures of the 1989 NHFRFPS that were 11% of Australian men and 5% of Australian women had a diastolic blood pressure above 95 mmHg. High blood cholesterol: The proportion of men and women who had high blood cholesterol levels increased steadily with age. 8% of the men and 10% of the women reported having blood cholesterol levels greater than 6.5mmol/L. This is lower than the 1989 national figures where 16% of the men and 14% of the women had cholesterol levels greater than 6.5mmol/L (NHF, 1990). Smoking behaviour: 44% of the Australian-Lebanese men and 25% of Australia- Lebanese women in this study were smokers compared with 24% of men and 21% of women of the 1989 NHFRFPS (NHF, 1990). All the Australian-Lebanese women smokers were in the middle and younger age groups (less than 44 years). Exercise for recreation sport or health fitness: Lack of exercise for recreation was prevalent among the Australian-Lebanese, about 55% of the men and 47% of the women had no exercise of any kind during leisure time in the preceding fortnight, as compared with 27% of Australian men and women according to the national figures (NHF, 1990). Overweight and obesity: Overweight and obesity were prevalent among the Australian-Lebanese. 71% of the men and 67% of the women were found to be either overweight or obese. This ratio is much higher than the national figures (NHF, 1990) with 60% of the men and 50% of the women being overweight or obese. The prevalence of overweight and obesity in this study increased with age for both sexes. 48% of the total Australian-Lebanese sample were overweight and 24% were obese. 41% of men and 38% of women were overweight and 21% of men and 37% of women were obese. Alcohol intake: Drinking alcohol was not a major risk factor among the Australian- Lebanese sample since most were occasional drinkers. 43% of men and 77% of women said they never drank any alcoholic beverages. This is quite a low ratio compared with the national figures where 87% of the men and 75% of the women drank alcohol. Dietary behaviour: 96% of men and 90% of women did not follow any kind of special diet. A fat-modified diet to lower blood fat was followed by one man and 3 women. One man and one woman reported following a diabetic diet. Five women followed a weight-reduction diet. 61% of men and 68% of women rarely ate fat on meat. 80% of men and 86% of women rarely added salt to cooked food compared to 49% of Australian men and 58% of Australian women who rarely or never added salt to their food (NHF, 1990). Major risk factors: A multiple forward logistic regression was conducted to assess which demographic factors predicted having a major risk factor or not. The strongest predictor was gender, with males more likely to have a major risk factor. The second strongest predictor was age with those in the older age group (45-69 years) being more likely to have a major risk factor and the next strongest predictor was education with those who have no formal education or primary school education only, being more likely to have a major risk factor. These cross-sectional observations provide the basis for interventional-type studies and should lead to appropriate recommendations regarding health promotion and education programs that can contribute to reducing the risks of cardiovascular disease in this non-English speaking background community.

In modern industrialized countries coronary heart disease is the single most important cause of death and disability as well as the biggest cause of premature death. There are known global geographical variations in the incidence of coronary heart disease with currently the Eastern European countries having the highest mortality rates, Australia in the middle of the range and Spain, France and Japan having the lowest. Coronary heart disease still remains to be a leading cause of death in Australia, despite its decline in the past 25 years, which is mainly attributed to the improvements in medical management and to the lower prevalence of behaviours which increase the risk of heart disease. Australia is a multicultural society and a country where one person in five is born overseas thus, its national health profile is significantly determined by the health of its immigrants. It is evident from the literature that the mortality rate from CHD amongst immigrant groups in Australia is lower than that of the Australian-born. This is explained by the stringent selection processes involved in migration approvals where only healthy strong immigrants are selected to come to Australia. However, there is increasing incidence of coronary heart disease amongst migrant Australians. Some of the identified factors that may be influencing this increase are mainly those associated with the stress of migration and settlement, loss of status and socioeconomic disadvantage, limited access to health information as well as changes of life style which occur with increased acculturation as the duration of residence in Australia increases. This study was designed to examine the cardiovascular health profile, health knowledge, attitudes, beliefs, and health behaviours, perceptions and barriers to behavioural change of an adult sample of a non-English speaking background community in Melbourne namely, the Australian-Lebanese. The health practices of this migrant group had never been studied and to date there is a paucity of literature regarding their health needs. This study provided information on the demographic and physical characteristics, life style factors, health and associated behaviours in relation to cardiovascular risk factors. The summary of findings below highlights a number of points of interest, and where possible comparisons were made with national figures derived from the 1989 National Heart Foundation Risk Factor Prevalence Study (NHF, 1990). The main findings were: Blood pressure and hypertension: The proportion of men and women who were hypertensive in this study increased steadily with age. 12.5% men and 7% of the women were found to have a diastolic blood pressure above 95mmHg. This is higher than the national figures of the 1989 NHFRFPS that were 11% of Australian men and 5% of Australian women had a diastolic blood pressure above 95 mmHg. High blood cholesterol: The proportion of men and women who had high blood cholesterol levels increased steadily with age. 8% of the men and 10% of the women reported having blood cholesterol levels greater than 6.5mmol/L. This is lower than the 1989 national figures where 16% of the men and 14% of the women had cholesterol levels greater than 6.5mmol/L (NHF, 1990). Smoking behaviour: 44% of the Australian-Lebanese men and 25% of Australia- Lebanese women in this study were smokers compared with 24% of men and 21% of women of the 1989 NHFRFPS (NHF, 1990). All the Australian-Lebanese women smokers were in the middle and younger age groups (less than 44 years). Exercise for recreation sport or health fitness: Lack of exercise for recreation was prevalent among the Australian-Lebanese, about 55% of the men and 47% of the women had no exercise of any kind during leisure time in the preceding fortnight, as compared with 27% of Australian men and women according to the national figures (NHF, 1990). Overweight and obesity: Overweight and obesity were prevalent among the Australian-Lebanese. 71% of the men and 67% of the women were found to be either overweight or obese. This ratio is much higher than the national figures (NHF, 1990) with 60% of the men and 50% of the women being overweight or obese. The prevalence of overweight and obesity in this study increased with age for both sexes. 48% of the total Australian-Lebanese sample were overweight and 24% were obese. 41% of men and 38% of women were overweight and 21% of men and 37% of women were obese. Alcohol intake: Drinking alcohol was not a major risk factor among the Australian- Lebanese sample since most were occasional drinkers. 43% of men and 77% of women said they never drank any alcoholic beverages. This is quite a low ratio compared with the national figures where 87% of the men and 75% of the women drank alcohol. Dietary behaviour: 96% of men and 90% of women did not follow any kind of special diet. A fat-modified diet to lower blood fat was followed by one man and 3 women. One man and one woman reported following a diabetic diet. Five women followed a weight-reduction diet. 61% of men and 68% of women rarely ate fat on meat. 80% of men and 86% of women rarely added salt to cooked food compared to 49% of Australian men and 58% of Australian women who rarely or never added salt to their food (NHF, 1990). Major risk factors: A multiple forward logistic regression was conducted to assess which demographic factors predicted having a major risk factor or not. The strongest predictor was gender, with males more likely to have a major risk factor. The second strongest predictor was age with those in the older age group (45-69 years) being more likely to have a major risk factor and the next strongest predictor was education with those who have no formal education or primary school education only, being more likely to have a major risk factor. These cross-sectional observations provide the basis for interventional-type studies and should lead to appropriate recommendations regarding health promotion and education programs that can contribute to reducing the risks of cardiovascular disease in this non-English speaking background community.