The value(s) of English as global linguistic capital: a dialogue between linguistic justice and sociolinguistic approaches

IF 16.4 1区化学 Q1 CHEMISTRY, MULTIDISCIPLINARY

Accounts of Chemical Research Pub Date : 2022-08-31 DOI:10.1515/ijsl-2021-0076

Eva Codó, Elvira Riera‐Gil

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引用次数: 1

Abstract

Abstract Theorists of linguistic justice tend to assume that English (particularly its native varieties) has paramount and stable value as a global communicative tool. From this alleged value they identify several injustices for non-native speakers, like unequal opportunities and lower dignity, related to the instrumental and identity-related values of languages. In this article we challenge assumptions about the real-life value of English by engaging in an interdisciplinary dialogue that connects normative theories and sociolinguistic theories of value. Through the analysis of ethnographic case studies, we conclude that the value of English (and nativeness in English) as linguistic capital is highly context-dependent, to the extent that possessing native skills may have no positive effects for an English speaker. Both language-centred factors (linguistic awareness and adaptive skills) and non-language centred factors (markets and social indexicalities) determine this value. We highlight that normative approaches to languages cannot address instrumental and identity-related values separately, because identity is instrumental to communicative interactions. We conclude that multilingualism fulfils better than monolingualism (either in English or in state majority languages) the goals of linguistic justice traditionally associated with the latter. Finally, we engage in a critical reflection about the suitability and conditions of possibility of interdisciplinary research.

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英语作为全球语言资本的价值:语言公正与社会语言学研究的对话

摘要语言学公正理论家倾向于认为英语（尤其是其本土变体）作为一种全球交流工具具有至高无上的稳定价值。从这一所谓的价值观中，他们发现了与语言的工具性和身份相关价值观有关的非母语人士的一些不公正现象，如机会不平等和尊严低下。在这篇文章中，我们通过跨学科对话，将规范理论和社会语言学的价值理论联系起来，挑战关于英语现实价值的假设。通过民族志案例分析，我们得出结论，英语（以及英语中的本土性）作为语言资本的价值高度依赖于语境，以至于拥有本土技能可能对英语使用者没有积极影响。以语言为中心的因素（语言意识和适应技能）和非以语言为核心的因素（市场和社会指数）都决定了这一价值。我们强调，语言的规范方法不能分别处理工具性价值观和身份相关价值观，因为身份对交际互动具有工具性。我们得出的结论是，多语制比单语制（无论是英语还是州多数语言）更好地实现了传统上与后者相关的语言公正目标。最后，我们对跨学科研究的适宜性和条件进行了批判性反思。

本文章由计算机程序翻译，如有差异，请以英文原文为准。

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来源期刊

Accounts of Chemical Research 化学-化学综合

CiteScore

31.40

自引率

1.10%

发文量

312

审稿时长

2 months

期刊介绍： Accounts of Chemical Research presents short, concise and critical articles offering easy-to-read overviews of basic research and applications in all areas of chemistry and biochemistry. These short reviews focus on research from the author’s own laboratory and are designed to teach the reader about a research project. In addition, Accounts of Chemical Research publishes commentaries that give an informed opinion on a current research problem. Special Issues online are devoted to a single topic of unusual activity and significance. Accounts of Chemical Research replaces the traditional article abstract with an article "Conspectus." These entries synopsize the research affording the reader a closer look at the content and significance of an article. Through this provision of a more detailed description of the article contents, the Conspectus enhances the article's discoverability by search engines and the exposure for the research.