Reposted by Gerald Roche Elias Greig @eliasgreig.bsky.social · 12/09/2026We have to accept the fact that for a large proportion of voters racism is very attractive and, in Australia, an intellectual and political mainstay. So yes, absolutely, be polite where you can, don't get personal, meet people where they are, but always be anti-racist — that's the fight. 1569
Reposted by Gerald Roche Gerald Roche @geraldroche.bsky.social · 12/09/2026Reactionary settler colonial discourse 101. It's from Canada, but uses identical tropes to Australian anti-language revitalization discourse. 3147
Gerald Roche @geraldroche.bsky.social · 12/09/2026Reactionary settler colonial discourse 101. It's from Canada, but uses identical tropes to Australian anti-language revitalization discourse. 3147
Reposted by Gerald Roche Tereza Hendl @terezahendl.bsky.social · 30/08/2026Here’s a paper of interest that speaks of a hypocrisy experienced far beyond its scope. It resonates deeply with our work with Selbi Durdiyeva on the selective anti-imperialism of much of the Western left in its treatment of Europe’s East & Central Asia. Glad to have come across Dibyesh Anand’s work 1146
Reposted by Gerald Roche Turquoise Roof @turquoiseroof.org · 26/08/2026What is language oppression, and how is it intensifying in #Tibet? In this FNVA Talk, @geraldroche.bsky.social examines enforced language loss, Tibet’s linguistic diversity, & the impact of China’s “ethnic unity” policies. www.youtube.com/watch?v=mc6K...youtube.comFNVA Talks with Gerald RocheYouTube video by Foundation for Non-violent Alternatives (FNVA) 062
Reposted by Gerald Roche Anna Belew @nabelew.bsky.social · 15/08/2026grabbed a copy at @powells.bsky.social and the cashier said “I got so excited and curious when this came in because I’m trying to learn my family’s language” so I gave them an @e-l-p.bsky.social button and we both had a pleasant transaction 😌 0335
Reposted by Gerald Roche Gerald Roche @geraldroche.bsky.social · 20/08/2026New review of my book says that it is "important but controversial" - I think BUT is an interesting choice of word here. www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10....tandfonline.comThe politics of language oppression in TibetPublished in Journal of Multilingual and Multicultural Development (Ahead of Print, 2026) 063
Gerald Roche @geraldroche.bsky.social · 20/08/2026New review of my book says that it is "important but controversial" - I think BUT is an interesting choice of word here. www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10....tandfonline.comThe politics of language oppression in TibetPublished in Journal of Multilingual and Multicultural Development (Ahead of Print, 2026) 063
Reposted by Gerald Roche Milk Tea Alliance Calendar @mtacalendar.bsky.social · 16/08/2026Thurs: FNVA hold webinar "Intensifying Language Oppression in Tibet: From Invasion to Ethnic Unity" w/ @geraldroche.bsky.social & Rinzin Namgyal as facilitator & "Solidarity Event!" Join Students4palestineTH & BDS Thailand for an evening of learning, culture & community at Thammasat University. 5/ 132
Reposted by Gerald Roche Lauren Gawne @superlinguo.bsky.social · 14/08/2026"language loss is not inevitable" A great @aunz.theconversation.com article from @geraldroche.bsky.social about @sophiasgaler.bsky.social's fabulous book How to Kill a Language & the politics of language oppression: theconversation.com/languages-ar...theconversation.comLanguages are disappearing, and the problem is politicalLanguage loss is often a reluctant choice made to escape violence, not a willing choice made to gain benefits. 0154
Reposted by Gerald Roche Anna Belew @nabelew.bsky.social · 13/08/2026Go check out @geraldroche.bsky.social's review of @sophiasgaler.bsky.social's "How to Kill a Language" for a surgical dissection of the history of language oppression denialism, clear and informed reminders of its political nature, and a buncha links to good research (incl. by @chirila.bsky.social):theconversation.comLanguages are disappearing, and the problem is politicalLanguage loss is often a reluctant choice made to escape violence, not a willing choice made to gain benefits. 16127
Gerald Roche @geraldroche.bsky.social · 06/08/2026Groundbreaking research from company that sells anti-plagiarism software to universities says that plagiarism at universities is on the rise. theconversation.com/more-than-50...theconversation.comMore than 50% of Australian university assignments used AI. How should unis respond?A big challenge for universities is distinguishing whether students are using AI to help or as a substitute for learning. 0103
Gerald Roche @geraldroche.bsky.social · 31/07/2026I'll be giving a talk two weeks from now for the Forum for Non-Violent Alternatives. Registration is via the QR code below for anyone who'd like to come along. 031
Reposted by Gerald Roche Anna Belew @nabelew.bsky.social · 21/07/2026The arguments against language reclamation haven't changed much in the nearly 20 years I've been working in this field: "It costs too much." "People are choosing to abandon their languages, so let them." "They have no practical use." "It's just sentimental nostalgia." Fuck All That, a thread:newyorker.comSometimes It’s O.K. to Let a Language DieWhen cultural preservation comes at the expense of speakers’ decisions, sometimes it's O.K. to let a language die. 67933
Gerald Roche @geraldroche.bsky.social · 30/07/2026I'm really grateful for this generous review of my book, The Politics of Language Oppression in Tibet, from Samar Sinha from Sikkim University. Link to follow below for anyone who would like to read the full review, which includes some good critical engagement with my arguments. 1133
Reposted by Gerald Roche Endangered Languages Project @e-l-p.bsky.social · 28/07/2026If you’ve seen this article, you may be sitting with anger, pain, or just exhaustion at dealing with another helping of colonial nonsense. We feel a responsibility to speak back when these colonizing narratives show up, yet again, in such a prominent venue. endangeredlanguages.com/story/respon... 5191120
Reposted by Gerald Roche David Stroup @davidstroup.bsky.social · 02/07/2026Withdrawal of formal support for language and cultural education is already risks turning minority languages into “kitchen languages” something @geraldroche.bsky.social has written eloquently about (link below). The new law would potentially go further www.cornellpress.cornell.edu/book/9781501... /8cornellpress.cornell.eduThe Politics of Language Oppression in Tibet by Gerald Roche | Paperback | Cornell University PressIn The Politics of Language Oppression in Tibet, Gerald Roche sheds light on a global crisis of linguistic diversity that will see at least half of the world's languages disappear this century. Roche.... 152
Reposted by Gerald Roche David Stroup @davidstroup.bsky.social · 02/07/2026🧵: This new law, in keeping with previous ones lines the HK National Security Law, asserts that the PRC can extraterritorialize its jurisdiction over speech and actions related to its national unity. Essentially it’s stating that it can police how people abroad speak about ethnic policy. /1 11510
Reposted by Gerald Roche Gerald Roche @geraldroche.bsky.social · 30/06/2026In response to the current inquiry into racism, hate and violence directed at Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, my colleagues and I made a submission focusing on linguistic racism. Link for the full submission in the next post. 1224
Reposted by Gerald Roche Gerald Roche @geraldroche.bsky.social · 30/06/2026The Universal Declaration of Linguistic Rights is being updated and relaunched, and any institution, entity, group, or community anywhere in the world that works for the defense, promotion, and equality of languages can register to participate in the process: www.dudling.org/en/participa...dudling.orgParticipation in the project – DUDL 0167
Gerald Roche @geraldroche.bsky.social · 30/06/2026The Universal Declaration of Linguistic Rights is being updated and relaunched, and any institution, entity, group, or community anywhere in the world that works for the defense, promotion, and equality of languages can register to participate in the process: www.dudling.org/en/participa...dudling.orgParticipation in the project – DUDL 0167
Reposted by Gerald Roche Lauren Gawne @superlinguo.bsky.social · 30/06/2026Very grateful to Gerald for leading the linguistics team at La Trobe on this submission to the inquiry into racism, hate and violence directed at Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. It's important for linguists to use what we know about language to advocate against linguistic racism. 0136
Gerald Roche @geraldroche.bsky.social · 30/06/2026In response to the current inquiry into racism, hate and violence directed at Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, my colleagues and I made a submission focusing on linguistic racism. Link for the full submission in the next post. 1224
Gerald Roche @geraldroche.bsky.social · 28/06/2026this is what I think of when I write to you saying "I hope this email finds you well" 110
Gerald Roche @geraldroche.bsky.social · 19/06/2026An autistic rights advocate I know is raising funds for a good cause. Please support if you can, or share if you aren't able to donate at the moment. givewheel.com/fundraising/...givewheel.comWalking 630 miles and as far I can goI completed the South West Coast Path from Poole to Minehead last summer. It was the longest walk and craziest thing I've ever done as I turned 43 on the … 054
Gerald Roche @geraldroche.bsky.social · 14/06/2026love this critique of corporate wellness initiatives from the early 20th century - today we would have an app for that 061
Reposted by Gerald Roche Jinghua Qian @jinghuaqian.com · 28/05/2026Hello, if your instinct is to organise an all-white panel about the rise of the far right, have you considered ... not? Please just go sit down and eat your toast 1489
Gerald Roche @geraldroche.bsky.social · 27/05/2026"It was certainly unfortunate to name such a beautiful bird after a mass killer." www.theguardian.com/environment/...theguardian.comWhat’s in a name? The renaming of the pink cockatoo is no small thing in Australia’s violent history | Andrew StaffordThis beautiful bird’s former name represented colonial dominance – and told us nothing about the species 194
Reposted by Gerald Roche Rabbi Danya Ruttenberg @theradr.bsky.social · 26/05/2026Apologize to your children when you fuck up. Which you will a lot. Work on doing better. Show them the process. Let them see your humility and your work. 201000158
Gerald Roche @geraldroche.bsky.social · 20/05/2026Glad to be able to submit this testimony in support of proposed changes to strengthen the Language Access Act in DC. Local measure like this are more important now that the executive order declaring English the US's official language has undermined language access 030
Gerald Roche @geraldroche.bsky.social · 18/05/2026Some inspiration to start your week, from Emmanuel NGUÉ UM: "A Future of Language Freedom" www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wos0...youtube.comEmmanuel NGUÉ UM | A Future of Language FreedomYouTube video by Endangered Languages Project 031
Reposted by Gerald Roche Gerald Roche @geraldroche.bsky.social · 10/05/2026What happens when we lose a language is that people have their human rights violated and their self-determination denied. They experience in justice and are harmed in multiple ways. So much more is at stake than culture, tradition, and knowledge. www.theguardian.com/science/2026... 0168
Gerald Roche @geraldroche.bsky.social · 11/05/2026China is winning its language war in Tibet. thediplomat.com/2025/03/chin...thediplomat.comChina Is Winning Its Language War in TibetTibet is one of the most linguistically diverse places in the world. Many of those languages are at risk of extinction. 22416
Gerald Roche @geraldroche.bsky.social · 10/05/2026What happens when we lose a language is that people have their human rights violated and their self-determination denied. They experience in justice and are harmed in multiple ways. So much more is at stake than culture, tradition, and knowledge. www.theguardian.com/science/2026... 0168
Reposted by Gerald Roche Gerald Roche @geraldroche.bsky.social · 09/05/2026If you think everyone deserves an equal chance to live a long healthy life, please, at least, sign a petition opposing the cuts to the NDIS. www.change.org/p/protect-th...change.orgSign the PetitionProtect the NDIS: Don’t cut the supports people need to live ordinary lives 163
Reposted by Gerald Roche Gerald Roche @geraldroche.bsky.social · 09/05/2026This is social murder: the creation of conditions in which people "can neither retain health nor live long." www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...sciencedirect.comThe reemergence of Engels’ concept of social murder in response to growing social and health inequalitiesIn 1845, Friedrich Engels identified how the living and working conditions experienced by English workers sent them prematurely to the grave, arguing … 151
Reposted by Gerald Roche Gerald Roche @geraldroche.bsky.social · 09/05/2026Cuts to the NDIS will push thousands of autistic people in Australia back into a state of heightened vulnerability. More autistic people will commit suicide. More autistic people will be exposed to increased chances of premature death. 141
Reposted by Gerald Roche Gerald Roche @geraldroche.bsky.social · 09/05/2026Autistic people rely on that safety net to protect us from the ubiquitous structural factors that expose us to violence, undermine our mental health, erode our wellbeing, and constantly push us to an early death. 151
Reposted by Gerald Roche Gerald Roche @geraldroche.bsky.social · 09/05/2026What this shows is that austerity measures erode the safety net - the thing that helps keep us alive - for autistic people and our families. 151
Reposted by Gerald Roche Gerald Roche @geraldroche.bsky.social · 09/05/2026These include: reduction in the level of unemployment support for autistic people; increased economic burden for parents of autistic children; reduced funding for supported living centers; and increased barriers to receiving a disability allowance. 151
Reposted by Gerald Roche Gerald Roche @geraldroche.bsky.social · 09/05/2026This brief report from Autism Europe outlines some of the impacts of austerity on autistic people in the UK, Spain, Greece, and Italy. www.autismeurope.org/wp-content/u...autismeurope.org 141
Reposted by Gerald Roche Gerald Roche @geraldroche.bsky.social · 09/05/2026So, autistic people already live short lives, characterized generally by greater need for the a safety net. What happens when austerity hits? 151
Reposted by Gerald Roche Gerald Roche @geraldroche.bsky.social · 09/05/2026To that you can add the impacts of unemployment and poverty, as well as barriers to healthcare, etc. 151
Reposted by Gerald Roche Gerald Roche @geraldroche.bsky.social · 09/05/2026Why do autistic people die younger? In large part its driven by suicide, which is driven by discrimination, and exclusion, and high rates of violence against autistic people. journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10....journals.sagepub.comSage Journals: Discover world-class researchSubscription and open access journals from Sage, the world's leading independent academic publisher. 141
Reposted by Gerald Roche Gerald Roche @geraldroche.bsky.social · 09/05/2026...this is probably an over-estimate, because the older you are, the less likely you are to be diagnosed. This recent estimate from the UK which accounts for this, puts the difference at closer to six year. That's still a big difference. www.thelancet.com/journals/lan...thelancet.comEstimating life expectancy and years of life lost for autistic people in the UK: a matched cohort studyThe findings indicate that there is a group of autistic people who experience premature mortality, which is of significant concern. There is an urgent need for investigation into the reasons behind th... 162
Reposted by Gerald Roche Gerald Roche @geraldroche.bsky.social · 09/05/2026Official figures currently state that in Australia "autistic people have a life expectancy 20–36 years shorter than the general population, with over two times the mortality rate." However... www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentar...aph.gov.auChapter 3Section 143
Reposted by Gerald Roche Gerald Roche @geraldroche.bsky.social · 09/05/2026Before we consider how these changes to the NDIS will cut autistic lives short, we need to recognize that autistic people already die earlier than our non-autistic counterparts. 141
Reposted by Gerald Roche Gerald Roche @geraldroche.bsky.social · 09/05/2026In Australia, the cuts to the National Disability Insurance Scheme will specifically impact autistic people. Like me. 131