World Englishes and Linguicism

Abstract

The goal of expanding universal human rights, economic justice and peace depends on achieving linguistic equity, but linguistic equality is not on most people’s radar screens. English proficiency can be a source of oppression for many foreign born non-native speakers. By using framework of the Earth Charter and its underlying principles of human rights, economic justice, and social equality, this chapter argues that introducing the concept of World Englishes (WEs) into the curriculum of the English language classroom will promote linguistic tolerance and respect towards diverse varieties of Englishes and their speakers. Linguicism (language racism) starts with ignorance about English varieties, so this chapter offers a curriculum to counteract the ubiquitous public discourse filled with negative attitudes towards different dialects and national varieties. Students learn how educational policies and institutional structures are at the core of the language discrimination and how oppressive policies perpetuate language intolerance and hence, institutional violence. The curriculum is intended to dismantle prejudicial attitudes and intolerance, and promote social and linguistic equity, human rights, and economic justice.