LING6043 Language ideologies in a globalising world

Module Overview

This module presents ideologies of English and other languages in the changing world where globalisation and the unprecedented spread of English are significant factors. It offers the opportunities of studying language ideologies in an extensive, comprehensive and systematic way. It uses examples from around the world, with particular focus on East Asia as a representative point from which the understanding of language ideologies is concretised. It also invites insights from various contexts to enable comparison and contrast in terms of how language ideologies are enacted in language policy, practice, and identity. You will be guided to explore a perspective from Global Englishes and make sense of core issues centred on language ideologies foregrounded by the globalisation of English. Through this module, you will develop knowledge of language ideology theories, and critical thinking about language realities in their own contexts. You will learn to understand language ideologies embedded in different language realities, and deal with language-related issues in academic, professional, and social settings in an informed manner.

Aims and Objectives

Learning Outcomes

Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:

Theoretical understanding of language ideology in globalisation and ability to draw on this knowledge to investigate language ideologies contextualised by the globalisation of English
Understanding of the link or the lack of link between language realities and ideologies
Critical language awareness in the changing context of globalisation
Understanding of the conflicts between English and other languages as well as those between different Englishes on the basis of insights from a GE perspective
Critical reflection on language polity, practice and identification in different contexts
Ability to explore diversified language choices in practice in their own contexts

Syllabus

• This module deals with attitudes, beliefs, feelings, ideas, opinions, assumptions, expectations, perceptions, and ideologies related to languages in different social spheres, drawing on empirical research in this field as well as our language experience, observations and life stories. • It explores the theory of language ideology and the paradigm of global Englishes, leading to an interdisciplinary approach to language ideologies behind language issues, such as intelligibility, identity, and conformity. • It focuses on core issues centred on language ideologies brought by the globalisation of English, such as language standardisation, language rights, language diversity, language purism, language legitimacy, critical language awareness, identity, power, and politics of language, employing a GE perspective through which the issues will be analysed and ideologies will be understood. • It discusses representations of language ideologies in different lingua-cultural backgrounds, with examples drawn from Asian contexts in particular, offering you opportunities to look through a GE lens at various language realities and discourses and to discover and analyse language ideologies associated with them. • It examines assumptions of languages in relation to their symbolic and practical values with reference to real-life examples.

Special Features

• A GE perspective on language ideologies • An interdisciplinary approach to language ideologies • Data-driven teaching and learning • A focus on Asian context, with insights from other contexts being invited • Practical tasks for students to explore language ideologies • Critical analysis of language policies, practices and identification in various contexts

Learning and Teaching

Teaching and learning methods

Teaching methods will include: • Lectures • Seminars • Workshops • Interactive group sessions. Learning activities include: • Reading • Collecting data related to language attitudes and beliefs • Collecting examples of language policies and practices • Preparing presentations and discussions in small groups or in seminars • Giving group or individual presentations

Type	Hours
Follow-up work	20
Completion of assessment task	40
Seminar	12
Lecture	12
Preparation for scheduled sessions	36
Wider reading or practice	30
Total study time	150

Resources & Reading list

Shohamy, E. G. (2006). Language policy: hidden agendas and new approaches.

Park, J. S.-Y. (2009). Local construction of a global language: ideologies of English in South Korea.

Jenkins, J. (2014). English as a lingua franca in the international university: The politics of academic English language policy.

Kroskrity, P. V., & Field, M. C. (2009). Native American language ideologies: beliefs, practices, and struggles in Indian country.

Lo Bianco, J., Orton, J., & Gao, Y. (2009). China and English: Globalisation and the Dilemmas of Identity.

Blommaert, J. (2010). The sociolinguistics of globalization.

Assessment

Summative

Method	Percentage contribution
Essay (2500 words)	60%
Research project (2000 words)	40%

Referral

Method	Percentage contribution
Coursework	100%

Repeat Information

Repeat type: Internal & External