This thesis investigates the meaning of English language hegemony as I, the researcher, have experienced it. Using an autoethnographic method, I recount stories of multilingual language learning that uncover the themes of hegemony (Gramsci, 1992), unilateral power (Loomer, 1976) and privilege as they relate to the English language in the world today. These stories are drawn from a lifetime of language learning in different multilingual envi-ronments: from experiences of informal language learning in the home, formal education in different languages throughout childhood and adolescence, and finally adult experiences of language learning as an English language teacher and member of a bilingual household.
With the narrative material as a basis, I highlight the interrelated concepts of he-gemony, unilateral power and privilege in these experiences of language learning. I take a critical stance in my investigation and analysis of the hegemony, unilateral power and privi-lege that the English language enjoys at the expense of other languages. I examine the meaning of these concepts and how they have affected my understanding of language as a native English speaker, language learner and English language teacher, in Canada and abroad.
As an alternative to the hegemony of English, I propose a counter-hegemonic ap-proach: learning about language and culture in relationship with others in communities where linguistic diversity and multilingualism are genuinely accepted, and not merely per-ceived, as valuable. I suggest that multilingualism and language learning are vital for native English speakers to understand alternative perspectives of our world, and in order for them to experience a transformation in their grasp of linguistic and cultural diversity.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:LACETR/oai:collectionscanada.gc.ca:SSU.etd-06052004-172343 |
| Date | 07 June 2004 |
| Creators | Moffat, Carla Alexandra |
| Contributors | Ward, Angela, Julien, Richard, Hallman, Dianne M., Woodhouse, Howard |
| Publisher | University of Saskatchewan |
| Source Sets | Library and Archives Canada ETDs Repository / Centre d'archives des thèses électroniques de Bibliothèque et Archives Canada |
| Language | English |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | text |
| Format | application/pdf |
| Source | http://library.usask.ca/theses/available/etd-06052004-172343/ |
| Rights | unrestricted, I hereby certify that, if appropriate, I have obtained and attached hereto a written permission statement from the owner(s) of each third party copyrighted matter to be included in my thesis, dissertation, or project report, allowing distribution as specified below. I certify that the version I submitted is the same as that approved by my advisory committee. I hereby grant to University of Saskatchewan or its agents the non-exclusive license to archive and make accessible, under the conditions specified below, my thesis, dissertation, or project report in whole or in part in all forms of media, now or hereafter known. I retain all other ownership rights to the copyright of the thesis, dissertation or project report. I also retain the right to use in future works (such as articles or books) all or part of this thesis, dissertation, or project report. |
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