ERIC Number: EJ1068188
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2010
Pages: 18
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: EISSN-1559-9035
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Available Date: N/A
What about Linguistic Identity?
Andrews, Micah
Journal of Language and Literacy Education, v6 n2 p85-102 2010
The recent influx of Latino immigrants in the Mid-West U.S. has also increased the number of Mexican students in schools. As recent immigrants, one of the challenges Mexican students face besides learning a different language is the construction of new identities in unfamiliar environments. Learning a language involves acquiring another identity in addition to learning a novel vocabulary and a different grammar. Using cricital discourse analysis, I argue that Gee's four aspects of identity though useful when discussing identity in the context of schooling, are limited when dealing with identity in the context of choice of linguistic code. They should be expanded to include linguistic identity when dealing with choice of linguistic code. In addition, schools should create spaces in the classroom for Mexican students to comfortably enact and develop their linguistic identities of Spanish-speakers since the primary language plays an important role in acquiring and developing literacy.
Descriptors: Hispanic Americans, Spanish Speaking, Immigrants, Second Language Learning, Discourse Analysis, English (Second Language), Spanish, Language Usage, High School Students, Interviews, Student Attitudes
Department of Language and Literacy Education at the University of Georgia. 315 Aderhold Hall, Athens, GA 30602. Tel: 706-542-7866; Fax: 706-542-3817; e-mail: jolle@uga.edu; Web site: http://jolle.coe.uga.edu
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Evaluative
Education Level: High Schools; Secondary Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A
Author Affiliations: N/A