National Identity, Global Economy, and Language Ideology: Media Coverage of Bilingual Education Propositions in California

• In Event: Professional and Organizational Learning: Teacher-Led Educational Reform

Abstract

Because the words we use reveal so much about community perceptions, they are ideal specimens of analysis when exploring societal notions of membership and belonging and in predicting how our legal system may later rule on related issues. This article explores the value discourses in media discussions about key bilingual education propositions in California. Using corpus linguistics and critical discourse analysis, I argue that the shift in public discourse can be characterized as moving from an equity framework to global economy framework. With neo-liberal rhetoric becoming increasingly pervasive in educational policy in the United States, I hope to highlight the importance of supporting language equity alongside, rather than at odds, with the global economy.

Author

• Elisse n Newey, Brigham Young University