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Breda O'Hara-Davies (2010): The paradox of English, Journal of Multilingual and Multicultural
Development, 31:2, 107-118
In this article the author explores the contradictions present as a result of teaching English within the Brunei society. The study is important because it examines the vestigial influences of colonization. Deep currents of nationalistic fervor run counter to the need to fit into the wider global environment. Additionally, the study examined the question of the existence of a "colonized consciousness" and sought to understand the spread of the English language through Brunei. The author examines the theoretical framework of English as a colonizing tool, as opposed to English as a medium to preserve otherness and segregation. Using a qualitative research design the author found a multiplicity of themes that pointed to a movement of students towards a more centrist position. Many of the young persons were not unconsciously subsumed into the English culture. They engaged the use of English in a more pragmatic fashion.
The use of multiple data collection methods gives the study the benefit of data triangulation which enhances its credibility. Another key strength of the work was the emphasis given to the emic perspective. This approach adds value to the internal consistency of the study and its logical coherence. The use of diaries is an excellent method of data collection because you are more...
The final strength of the work is that it is a longitudinal study. The design therefore is suitable to identify change in attitude and opinion. A notable weakness may be the centrality of the biases of the researcher. While they were noted there was no clear statement as to how the effects of these biases were minimized.
The use of a video or audio journaling could improve the data collection by the researcher. Video journaling collects more accurate data than other type of journaling. For future studies the author could improve the sample composition to reflect the greater heterogeneity within the population. Another consideration for future research could be a consideration of the influence of religion on the status of English within the society. An ethnographic study could be very useful in exploring this subject and providing adequate data for theory building.
Gu, Mingyue (2010) 'National Identity in EFL Learning: A Longitudinal Inquiry', Changing
English, 17: 1, 57 -- 67
Gu (2010) explores the construction of a national identity by students learning English in their native country. The author notes that the literature in the field suggests that learning another language can create identity changes in the learner. Other studies suggest that the effect depends on the mechanism used to implement the foreign…
Symbolic Interactionism The objective of this study is to contrast and compare the work of Simmel and Mead on Symbolic Interactionism. Toward this end, a review of literature in this area of inquiry will be conducted. Symbolic interactionism is a primary sociological perspective that George Herbert Mead advanced through bringing "rigorous substance to this emergent micro-level analysis." (Bloch, nd) From the view of symbolic interactionism, "society is the sum total of the
Herbert Blumer, having coined the term Symbolic Interactionism, is the person who was instrumental in the development of the Symbolic Interactionism perspective. Blumer was a student of George Herbert Mead. More than writing, publishing, and popularizing Mead's ideas, Blumer built on Mead's ideas and further developed. He believed and theorized that "there was more to human behavior than influences on it by outside forces or uncontrollable psychological factors" (Bandy, Foley,
Symbolic Interactionism Healthcare sociological theory Symbolic interaction theory: Healthcare (Obesity prevention) Symbolic interaction theory "focuses attention on the way that people interact through symbols: words, gestures, rules, and roles" (Plunkett n.d.). The definition of health is an important component of the cultural language in which we operate. Although our definition of health sometimes seems self-evident, like something unchanging and unwavering across the eras, it is a culturally-constructed notion. This can be seen in
Within this sidewalk culture, patterns of interaction emerge. An example would be Hasan's role not only as a vendor, but also as a conversationalist for his customers, discussing topics that pertain to or about the merchandise that he sells, which are second-hand books. A second feature that reflects symbolic interactionism in sidewalk culture as determined by the author is the assignment of specific roles by its members, and this is
When meanings are shared, they are concordant. However since people may assign different meanings to the same entity, a disconnect can occur that can result in deviant behaviors. Principle 2: Language Language is, of course, at the core of communication, as well as miscommunication. In symbolic interactionism, language acts as a navigation tool that guides individuals through the often meandering conduit of meaning, using language to identify symbolic representation. Principle 3: Thought Thought
Theoretical Treatments of Symbolic Interactionism In order to develop a deeper understanding of sociological theories designed to describe the complexities of the cognitive process, it is essential to identify tangible examples of these as they are manifested in the real world. The concept of symbolic interactionism, while carrying varying connotations depending on the distinct school of sociological thought one embraces, is generally agreed to describe the empirical analysis of three