Perspectives

Different types of voices affect the interpretation of a text and shape its meaning. A voice is a way to communicate one’s thoughts and feelings, to show their values and how they see the world. A distinctly Australian voice is one that is uniquely Australian representing and expressing ideas on the world, people and their existence. Written, spoken, and visual language is used in the prescribed text “The Stolen Children – Their Stories” and the related text Kevin Rudd’s Apology to show different types of distinctly Australian voices and their perceptions. “The Stolen Children – Their Stories” is a book of edited collections of documents by Carmel Bird about the issue of past government policies on the forced removal of Aboriginal children from their homes and families. The book consists of different sections such as a preface, an introduction, stories, voices and perspectives, and recommendations.
The First section of the book is a preface by Sir Ronald Wilson, who was the President of the Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission. We hear his personal voice through his use of first person involving the readers on the issue of the stolen generation. His compassionate tone shows his emotions towards the stories “I was filled with a sense of privilege ... dreadful parts of the past”. Sir Ronald Wilson uses high modality “must be read with an open mind ... with a willingness to listen, and to listen intently” to reinforce the importance of the “Bringing Them Home” report’s findings. He describes the past government policies on the stolen children as “gross violation of human rights” and sees it as “shameful deeds of the past” which should be acknowledged and hence begin reconciliation.
The Next section is an introduction by the editor of the book – Carmel Bird. She voices her own personal opinion and shapes the responder’s view on the issue throughout the book. She begins her introduction with the photograph on the front cover of the book. The photo is of a...