MYAN Language Matters Podcast
The MYAN Language Matters Podcast features intergenerational conversations that focus on the role of language in shaping how we see the world and our sense of belonging in it. The conversations aim to unpack buzzwords or terms that have become part of our vernacular, but which meanings have been lost, usurped, misunderstood or overused, and highlight the insights that tie directly to the diverse experiences of living in multicultural Australia.
Belonging and Inclusion: What young people think about CALD vs CARM
In 2025, MYAN conducted a national survey asking young people what terms resonated with them. The two most common terms used in public policy and advocacy are Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CALD) and Culturally and Racially Marginalised (CARM). With the limitation of language in being able to capture complexities and nuances in simple terms, both terms present their own challenges and tensions. This survey report outlines the responses of how multicultural young people identify with terms used to represent them, and the approaches MYAN will take with a youth-informed perspective.
MYAN would like to thank the following experts for their contributions to this paper: Courtney Green – Brotherhood of St Laurence, Duncan Smith, Distinguished Professor Fethi Mansouri, Dr Gelareh Holden, Hakan Akyol – Australian Multicultural Foundation, Professor Karen Block and Gemma Tarpey-Brown – University of Melbourne, Nesreen Bottriell – Australian Muslim Women’s Centre for Human Rights, Dr Teresa De Fazio, Zahra Al Helaly.
Language Matters Responses
Do you have an opinion or story about how language and words have shaped your sense of inclusion and belonging?
Do you have an idea or suggestion for what you would like to explore within the Language Matters campaign? Want to get involved?
We’d love to hear from you!
