Counterhegemony With English Language: Knowledge, Ideology, and Identity

• In Event: Sheraton Roundtable Session 16
  In Roundtable Session: Critical Perspectives in Second Language Research

Abstract

This paper utilizes an incisive socio-cultural linguistic theory that recognizes the central role language ideologies play in language identity construction in the analysis of how Chinese college students viewed the P.R.C. English language education policy. Thirty-four juniors majoring in finance at a Northwestern P.R.C university volunteered to participate in the study. Data for the study were collected though a three-part, open-ended item questionnaire. Analysis indicates that Chinese students’ language ideologies strengthened their language identity in ways that elevated rather than devalued Chinese language and culture. This finding contradicts to the prevalent English language imperialism ideology seen in many developing countries where people believe that their own languages are inferior, roadblocks to their success or threatened.

Authors

• Gulbahar H. Beckett, Iowa State University

• Annette B. Hemmings, Edgewood College

• Juanjuan Zhao, University of Cincinnati