An Exploration of the ‘Mateship’ Concept in Australian Language and Culture (Research Paper Sample)

An Exploration of the ‘Mateship’ Concept in Australian Language and Culture Name Institutional Affiliation Course Name and Code Instructor Date The ‘Mateship’ Concept in Australian Language and Culture As a term deeply embedded in Australian English, ‘mateship’ holds a unique and multifaceted meaning within the Australian cultural landscape. Sometimes viewed as a mode of conduct that underscores solidarity, friendship, and equality, primarily among Australian men, the jargon’s origin traces back to the 19th Century frontier and goldfields periods. Despite that, ‘mateship’ has evolved to incorporate innumerable aspects of Australian society. With that mentioned, the paper explores the concept of ‘mateship’ in Australian language and culture. Besides shaping individual and collective identities, the keyword ‘mateship’ is significant in Australian culture because it symbolizes solidarity, mutual support, and unity; fosters social connections, equality, and camaraderie; and promotes Australian national spirit. Literal Meaning and Etymology: Definition Despite being an ordinary word across nations, ‘mateship’ holds a special meaning in Australian English. According to Dictionary.com (2023), the jargon ‘mateship’ is defined as a noun, which stands for “the state of being a mate” or “a mode of conduct among Australian men that stresses equality, friendship, and solidarity” (n.p.). Similarly, within the Australian context, Dictionary.com defines the term under scrutiny as “the comradeship of friends, usually male, viewed as an institution” (n.p.). Primarily associated with Australian English, ‘mateship’ is derived from the term ‘mate,’ loosely translating to companion or friend. Thus, ‘mateship’ means showing up to a friend in need, facing challenges and joys that life throws their way, and offering assistance if needed. Based on the above dictionary definitions, ‘mateship’ may connote a loyal and close friendship built on mutual support, trust, and camaraderie (Zhuang, 2021). However, the terminology extends beyond mere friendship in the Australian language and culture context. In other words, ‘mateship,’ within the Australian context, is an embodiment of solidarity and a deep sense of bonding (Zhuang, 2021). Aside from solidarity and friendship, to Australian men, ‘mateship’ is a mode of conduct that stresses equality. Therefore, ‘mateship’ eradicates barriers of ethnicity, social background, and status by conveying a sense of parity among mates, sharing mutual respect and readiness to help one another. Origin While ‘mateship’ is often linked with the Australian diggers providing unconditional support amongst themselves in the toughest of conditions during WWI (Dyrenfurth, 2015), its origin goes beyond the war. According to Burin (2015), it is “the pioneering frontier and goldfields periods of the 19th Century that served as cultural incubators for the term” (n.p.). The meaning of the jargon was further refined on the Victorian goldfields, with miners referring to one another as mates, meaning friends and/or business partners. Commonly used as a cordial form of address in Australia, the emergence of ‘mateship’ traces back to the early days of European settlement in Australia and the country’s unique environmental and social conditions. Deeply entrenched in Australian history, ‘mateship’ originated from the very first white Australians, commonly referenced as the convicts from Britain, who used the term among themselves (Dyrenfurth, 2015). Going to the extent of addressing their jailors as mates, the convicts conveyed the notion of equality among sailors and convicts. As time passes, mateship has been used to connote different things among different groups. For instance, while labor movement activists and trade unionists parallel the jargon to socialism and unionism, more conservative Australians use the word to denote Australian soldiers’ sacrifice in warfare, including the Anzacs at Gallipoli (Dyrenfurth, 2015). As a defining Australian cultural term, ‘mateship’ is a testament to the society’s persistent spirit of support and friendship. Having emerged from a shared fear of authority during colonial times, ‘mateship’ remained part of the Australian male heritage and was glorified in sport and war. Historical Context Historical Significance One of the iconic historical events where the ‘mateship’ played a crucial role was the legend of ANZAC (Australian and New Zealand Army Corps). Forged between 1914 and 1918 during WWI, the ANZACs displayed great ‘mateship,’ in addition to discipline, endurance, courage, and initiative during their 8-month fight on Gallipoli (Australian War Memorial, 2019). The term ‘mateship’ was used to connote the qualities of mutual support and loyalty displayed by the soldiers. According to Wright (2021), the concept of ‘mateship’ also gained prominence throughout the convict era (of the late 18th to 19th Century) and the gold rushes (of the 1850s). As recently as the 21st Century, the word ‘mateship’ again gained prominence. In the aftermath of the devastating Queensland floods in 2011, then-Prime Minister Julia Gillard used the jargon ‘mateship’ to call for unity and companionship. She said, “This Australia Day, more than anything else, we know mateship lives... We will hang on to our Aussie mateship and our Aussie fair go, in the worst of times and in the best, because [we are] Australian” (Burin, 2015, n.p.). Finally, ‘mateship’ also had the floor to shine again in 2018, when the United States and Australia celebrated 100 years of ‘mateship’ with services at the Australian War Memorial in Canberra (Garamone, 2018). Here, the term was used to describe the strong bonds of friendship and shared values between the two countries. Evolution over Time The meaning and significance of the term mateship have evolved within Australian culture. While widely regarded to embody egalitarianism, especially during adversity, ‘mateship’ was used as a means of self-help for Australians to survive and thrive between 1788 and 1850 (Reardon, 2003). During the early period, most Australians embraced the exclusive meaning of the jargon representative of the masculinist component. During the 19th Century, the jargon merged with Christianity and became a surrogate religion among many Australians, resulting in an all-encompassing discourse with a masculinist nature (Reardon, 2003). Between 1885 and 1925, it marked the start of the consolidation of exclusive ‘mateship’ supremacy over inclusive ‘mateship’ (Carlin et al., 2021). Despite being essential to Australianness, the former form of ‘mateship’ was limited to men and had social implications for women. Thus, during this time, ‘mateship’ evolved from its original meaning of solidarity and fraternity among men to include women and describe friendship links and loyalty to friends in general, including women. Cultural Significance: General Cultural Context Despite the variation in the cultural understanding and valuation of ‘mateship’ across communities and individuals, the concept is an intrinsic part of Australian society and culture. The jargon has been understood to express anti-authoritarianism, solidarity, and fraternity, especially among convicts. As an ideal in Australian society and culture, ‘mateship’ is understood as the bond that exists between close friends and/or equal partners (Carlin et al., 2021). This understanding within the broader culture of Australian English is gender-neutral. Historically linked to male relationships, ‘mateship’ is valued most in rural and military contexts. Regardless, Carlin et al. (2021) suggest that ‘mateship’ is highly valued by women than men. Thus, ‘mateship’ is understood and valued as a bond surpassing gender boundaries. Over time, ‘mateship’ became entangled with the Anzac tradition, commemorating the sacrifice and courage of New Zealand and Australian soldiers during WWI. Besides being a valued Australian military virtue itemized among the military merits inculcated by the Australian Army Recruit Training Centre, ‘mateship’ remains a significant national value (Carlin et al., 2021). Symbolism and Associations Symbolizing compassion, courage, humor, ingenuity, and honesty, ‘mateship’ evokes solid emotions and carries specific associations within Australian culture, contributing to its significance in Australians' minds and hearts. ‘Mateship’ symbolizes solidarity and unity among Australians. Ideally, it is linked to the notion that Australians should stand together, work as a team, and support each other whenever adversity strikes (Gretener, 2020). Additionally, ‘mateship’ evokes the association or spirit of the Anzac that emerged during WWI. The jargon symbolizes camaraderie and resilience displayed by soldiers during the war. Moreover, the word evokes various emotions, including trust and friendship, loyalty and sacrifice, equality and inclusivity, and pride. Therefore, ‘mateship’ is deeply ingrained in the national psyche and continues to shape how Australians interact and view their place in the world. Sub-cultural Variations Sub-culture Identification The Australian surfing community is a sub-culture that uses ‘mateship’ to identify their sense of loyalty, inclusivity, brotherhood, respect for the environment, and national pride. Besides mutual support and respect, ‘mateship’ within this sub-culture fosters a sense of belonging regardless of background, gender, and age (Evers, 2010). In rural and outback areas of Australia, ‘mateship’ is often linked with reliance on one another for support and survival against the hush environmental conditions (McMahon, 2018). In the context of Indigenous Australian Communities, ‘mateship’ may be used to show a strong sense of c...