Language and Identity: Discourse in the World

Language not only expresses identities but also constructs them. Starting from that point, Language and Identity examines the interrelationships between language and identities. It finds that they are so closely interwoven, that words themselves are inscribed with ideological meanings. Words and language constitute meanings within discourses and discourses vary in power. The powerful ones reproduce more powerful meanings, colonize other discourses and marginalize or silence the least powerful languages and cultures. Language and culture death occur in extreme cases of marginalization. This book also demonstrates the socio-economic opportunities offered by language choice and the cultural allegiances of language, where groups have been able to create new lives for themselves by embracing new languages in new countries. Language can be a 'double-edged sword' of opportunity and marginalization. Language and Identity argues that bilingualism and in some cases multilingualism can both promote socio-economic opportunity and combat culture death and marginalization. With sound theoretical perspectives drawing upon the work of Bakhtin, Vygotsky, Gumperz, Foucault and others, this book provides readers with a rationale to redress social injustice in the world by supporting minority linguistic and cultural identities and an acknowledgement that access to language can provide opportunity.

Table of Contents:
Part 1 Theoretical Overview 1. Introduction David Evans 2. The Identities of Language David Evans 3. How Language Shapes Social Perception Philippe Chassy Part 2 Languages, Discourses and Identities in the World 4. Quebec's Shift from Ethnic to Civic National Identity: Implications for Language Attitudes Amongst Immigrants in Montreal Ruth Kircher 5. Trilingualism and Uyghur Identity in the People's Republic of China Mamtimyn Sunuodula, Anwei Feng and Bob Adamson 6. 'Queensland for Ever & Augus un ballybug go braugh': The Expression of Identity in Nineteenth-Century Irish Emigrant Letters Marije van Hattum 7. Indigenous Languages, Cultures and Communities in the Amazon: Strengthening Identities Alex Guilherme Part 3 Critical Pedagogies 8. The Language of Leisure and Physicality: Constructing and Re-constructing Identity Wendy Bignold 9. Drama and the Identity of the Language Learner Bernie Hughes 10. Towards a Cultural Paradigm of Alterity in Modern Foreign Language (MFL) Learning David Evans 11. English Language Teacher Identity: A Framework for Teacher Learning and Professional Development Richard Kiely 12. Conclusion Index

About the Author :
David Evans is a Fellow in Education in the Education Faculty at Liverpool Hope University, UK

Review :
While language conveys information it does much more than that; it shapes the very information it conveys. It also shapes and reflects identities. Language determines how people see themselves and how they are seen by others. Language can both create identity and well as constrain it. This important book gives voice to linguistic and cultural minorities. It contains an inspiring range of discussions of how communities can navigate their way between languages and cultures and how, by adopting a critical pedagogy, people can revitalize and develop self-esteem and pride in their identities. -- Andy Kirkpatrick, Chair Professor of Linguistics, Griffith University, Australia