Language not only expresses identities but also constructs them. Starting from that point, Language and Identityexamines 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.
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
This volume has synthesized and compiled a diversified body of research supported by accessible writing styles. Many readers would appreciate that the cases addressed in the volume are well elaborated by interesting background information and anecdotes, through which the readers come to understand the complex socio-economic, political, and cultural issues associated with language diversity. As such, this book would be a valuable reference for readers in anthropological linguistics, sociolinguistics, and discourse analysis, especially those engaging with topics related to linguistic and cultural minorities.
— Sibo Chen, Simon Fraser University Linguist List
This volume has synthesized and compiled a diversified body of research supported by accessible writing styles … A valuable reference for readers in anthropological linguistics, sociolinguistics, and discourse analysis, especially those engaging with topics related to linguistic and cultural minorities.
— Sibo Chen, Simon Fraser University, Canada Linguist List
About the Author
David Evans is a Fellow in Education in the Education Faculty at Liverpool Hope University, UK
