Discourse of culture and ideology in two African novels: Evolving a proto-literacy model

Abstract

This sociolinguistic study focuses on the discourse of culture and ideology in developing a proto-model of literacy development. The language-literature interface approach was used to analyze the ideological discourse in two African novels, The Texture of Dreams by Yitbarek and The Beautiful Things That Heaven Bears by Mengestu. The study targets non-participant college freshmen in Benguet, Philippines, using a proactive approach to language curriculum renewal based on reflective practice. The study adopted both a priori and a posteriori principles of language curriculum renewal, identifying and re-classifying literacy skills from baseline data and professional practice. The study emphasizes the importance of critical reading in analyzing the discourse of ideology and culture, as well as noting cultural load in literary language.The study recommends using CDA of transitivity processes among college students to examine the discourse of culture and ideology, promoting effective reading comprehension. Language curriculum enhancement can also benefit from a sociolinguistic case study anchored on reflective practice of the language-literature interface.