University Presentation Showcase: Undergraduate Division
"Foreign" Language: Examining systemic attitudes, xenophobia, and foreign language anxiety
Presenter Hometown
Lexington
Major
Spanish/Communications with a minor in Women and Gender Studies
Department
Languages, Cultures, and Humanities
Degree
Undergraduate
Mentor
Dr. José Juan Goméz-Becerra
Mentor Department
Languages, Cultures, and Humanities
Recommended Citation
Jennings, Olivia Leigh, ""Foreign" Language: Examining systemic attitudes, xenophobia, and foreign language anxiety" (2021). University Presentation Showcase Event. 15.
https://encompass.eku.edu/swps/2021/undergraduate/15
Abstract
With the focus on the systemic attitudes, this study examines previous background in foreign language, attitudes about language in general, and the relation of language to identity. This study stresses the defining process in the making of American as a national and cultural identiy, and how it has changed over the years. It examines the role of xenophobia and xenoglossophobia in the context of American identity, and through its evolution in past and current sociopolitical belives impacting an overall disinterest in foreign language. The disinterest in foreign language is investigated to discover the reasons why foreign language programs are being cut, why people are not studying them, and why they are not growing despite the presented humanistic, economic, and social benefits. It explores the historical background of interest and disinterest in foreign language and how that is tied to an establish pattern of nativist attitudes that include aspects such as English-only policies. This study surveyed 100 participants about their perspectives on foreign language and how it relates to identity, their ability to speak another language, and what factors prevent someone from learning another language. With these results, this study is a call to action for foreign language education in the United States and awareness of differences in cultural attitudes, norms, and beliefs tied to language.
Presentation format
Poster
"Foreign" Language: Examining systemic attitudes, xenophobia, and foreign language anxiety
With the focus on the systemic attitudes, this study examines previous background in foreign language, attitudes about language in general, and the relation of language to identity. This study stresses the defining process in the making of American as a national and cultural identiy, and how it has changed over the years. It examines the role of xenophobia and xenoglossophobia in the context of American identity, and through its evolution in past and current sociopolitical belives impacting an overall disinterest in foreign language. The disinterest in foreign language is investigated to discover the reasons why foreign language programs are being cut, why people are not studying them, and why they are not growing despite the presented humanistic, economic, and social benefits. It explores the historical background of interest and disinterest in foreign language and how that is tied to an establish pattern of nativist attitudes that include aspects such as English-only policies. This study surveyed 100 participants about their perspectives on foreign language and how it relates to identity, their ability to speak another language, and what factors prevent someone from learning another language. With these results, this study is a call to action for foreign language education in the United States and awareness of differences in cultural attitudes, norms, and beliefs tied to language.
