Journal article
Exposing Gaps in/Between Discourses of Linguistic Deficits
International multilingual research journal, Vol.11(1), pp.5-22
01/01/2017
DOI: 10.1080/19313152.2016.1258185
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.
Details
- Title: Subtitle
- Exposing Gaps in/Between Discourses of Linguistic Deficits
- Creators
- Eric J. Johnson - Washington State University Tri-CitiesNetta Avineri - Middlebury Institute of International Studies at MontereyDavid Cassels Johnson - University of Iowa
- Resource Type
- Journal article
- Publication Details
- International multilingual research journal, Vol.11(1), pp.5-22
- Publisher
- Taylor & Francis
- DOI
- 10.1080/19313152.2016.1258185
- ISSN
- 1931-3152
- eISSN
- 1931-3160
- Number of pages
- 18
- Language
- English
- Date published
- 01/01/2017
- Academic Unit
- Teaching and Learning; Public Policy Center (Archive); Center for Social Science Innovation
- Record Identifier
- 9984283725502771
Metrics
8 Record Views