Abstract
AbstractThis introduction builds on De Costa et al.’s (2016], [2019) notion of linguistic entrepreneurship, which is defined as “the act of aligning with the moral imperative to strategically exploit language-related resources for enhancing one’s worth in the world” (2016: 696). The four empirical studies and two critical commentaries that constitute this special issue explain the relevance of this construct and explore how it is instantiated in a range of formal and informal educational contexts across the world. Specifically, we explain how linguistic entrepreneurship serves as a unique and innovative contribution to the existing body of sociolinguistics, applied linguistics, and language policy research on neoliberalism.
Highlights
Under the burgeoning influence of neoliberalism (Block et al 2012; Holborow 2015; Piller and Cho 2013), several ideological trends have converged to reframe language learning as a project of entrepreneurial self-development
Through the concept of linguistic entrepreneurship, this special issue suggests that these trends jointly work as an affective regime (De Costa et al 2019; Wee 2016) that compels individuals, communities, and organizations to take up language learning as a moral imperative – that is, linguistic entrepreneurship presents the learning of languages as a responsibility of a good citizen and ideal neoliberal worker
Through a discussion of various cases, we show how linguistic entrepreneurship can be a pertinent analytical framework for critiquing the way neoliberal management of language permeates the actions of individuals and institutions alike
Summary
Under the burgeoning influence of neoliberalism (Block et al 2012; Holborow 2015; Piller and Cho 2013), several ideological trends have converged to reframe language learning as a project of entrepreneurial self-development. By drawing upon the notion of linguistic entrepreneurship, the contributions to this special issue foreground the dimension of neoliberal subjecthood that serves as a key pivot for the neoliberal reframing of language learning This nexus of neoliberal subjecthood and language learning is relevant for the current ‘multi/plural turn’ in language studies (Flores 2013; Kubota 2016), in which the emphasis on multilingualism under the conditions of postmodernity is actively embraced by sociolinguistic and applied linguistic research, through concepts such as translanguaging (Li Wei 2018), translingualism (Canagarajah 2012), and metrolingualism (Pennycook and Otsuji 2015). Through a discussion of various cases, we show how linguistic entrepreneurship can be a pertinent analytical framework for critiquing the way neoliberal management of language permeates the actions of individuals and institutions alike
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
