Navigating Raciolinguistic Ideologies: Narratives of Indian American Students

• In Event: Friday Roundtable Session 11:25 am
  In Roundtable Session: Transnational and Raciolinguistic Perspectives for Advocacy and Empowerment (Table 39)

Abstract

Schools are recognized as sites where raciolinguistic ideologies operate, impacting Spanish- and African American Vernacular English-speaking students' education. However, it is often assumed that Indian American students are unaffected by these ideologies. This is fueled by headlines about Indian Americans excelling at spelling bee competitions, depicting a successful “model minority”. Yet, research reveals that Indian American students face judgments regarding their language practices. Using the raciolinguistic perspective this exploratory multiple-case study examines how Indian American students navigate raciolinguistic ideologies they experience. Data collection included interviews with Indian American undergraduate students participating from a midwestern university. Participants' responses were deductively coded, focusing on raciolinguistic ideologies. Findings suggest that Indian American students encounter and often face contradictions, as they navigate raciolinguistic ideologies.

Author

• Anshika Bhasin, University of Wisconsin - Madison