Journal article
Exposing Gaps in/Between Discourses of Linguistic Deficits
International multilingual research journal, Vol.11(1), pp.5-22
01/02/2017
Handle:
https://hdl.handle.net/2376/113530
Abstract
Hart and Risley's (1995) concept of a "word gap" (aka "language gap") is widely used to describe inferior cognitive development and lower academic achievement as by-products of the language patterns of families from economically disadvantaged backgrounds. In recent decades, this line of deficit research has proliferated and caused a surge in public exposure in the media and political realms. In this discussion, we employ critical discourse analysis to illuminate intertextual links across three essential domains of "language gap" discourse: (a) academic research literature, (b) public news media, and (c) institutional narratives. The data are analyzed in terms of interdiscursive connections within and between research articles; news and magazine stories; and institutional documents from academic, political, and philanthropic organizations. Here, we demonstrate how discourses that are generated within a socially insulated "language gap" research paradigm propagate a deficit orientation of linguistic minority communities, problematically validate behavior intervention programs among particular socioeconomic groups, and reify linguistic and cultural misperceptions of traditionally marginalized groups.
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Details
- Title
- Exposing Gaps in/Between Discourses of Linguistic Deficits
- Creators
- Eric J Johnson - College of Education, Washington State University Tri-CitiesNetta Avineri - TESOL/TFL Program, Graduate School of Translation, Interpretation, and Language Education, Middlebury Institute of International Studies at MontereyDavid Cassels Johnson - Department of Foreign Language and ESL Education, University of Iowa
- Publication Details
- International multilingual research journal, Vol.11(1), pp.5-22
- Academic Unit
- Teaching and Learning, Department of
- Publisher
- Routledge
- Identifiers
- 99900547894801842
- Language
- English
- Resource Type
- Journal article