All languages show variation over time and space. From the moment we are exposed to our first language, we begin to take note of who says what and how they say it. A fundamental tenet of our nation is that discrimination on the grounds of skin color, ethnicity, gender, or age is unacceptable. Yet, it seems we do not apply this same principle to language. On the contrary, it is commonplace for individuals and groups of people to be judged on the basis of language form rather than language content. This course focuses on language, ideology, and linguistic discrimination, with a focus on the context of the United States. We will examine our beliefs about the nature of language and its use in the social world (language ideologies), as well as consider situations in which a given language or language variety is ascribed hegemonic power over others (language subordination). Students will learn a model of language subordination and come to understand how it both contributes to and results from policy, planning, and education. We will focus on principles of language variation and change that will show that language subordination and discrimination are equivalent to other forms of discrimination. Through case studies and personal reflection, students will critically analyze myths about accents and standard language ideologies—both their own and those of others—with the primary goal of becoming linguist(ic) activists.
About Professor Casillas