The Case of Brazil by Eduardo Henrique Diniz De Figueiredo A
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CORE Metadata, citation and similar papers at core.ac.uk Provided by ASU Digital Repository Conceptualizations of English as a Global Language: The Case of Brazil by Eduardo Henrique Diniz de Figueiredo A Dissertation Presented in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree Doctor of Philosophy Approved October 2012 by the Graduate Supervisory Committee: Patricia Friedrich, Chair Aya Matsuda James Gee ARIZONA STATE UNIVERSITY December 2012 ABSTRACT The present study investigates some of the different ways in which English has been conceptualized in Brazil since the beginning of intensified globalization in the 1990s, and proposes how such conceptualizations relate to sociocultural, political and historical phenomena in the country. To this end, central texts (governmental documents, musical lyrics, cultural messages, educational policies, and language school commercials) of three domains of language regulation and use (political discourse, pop culture, and English language teaching) were examined through discourse analytical tools, text mapping, and content analyses. The investigation of each domain was supplemented by analyses of additional data (media texts, artistic work, and teacher interviews) that either confirmed or problematized results. Findings showed that the symbolic meanings of English in Brazil are caught in a heteroglossic web of discourses, which reflect diverse understandings of global processes, of the spread of English, and of Brazil itself. Tensions between authoritative and internally persuasive discourses, and between centripetal and centrifugal forces are revealed not only across different texts and realms – as reported in studies of English in other contexts – but also within domains, and within the discourses of the same people and institutions. It is argued that legislative authority, the role of the state, and the contradictions between discourses of mobility and empowerment and unsuccessful educational practices play a central role in the way English is understood and experienced in i Brazil, confirming previous claims of an identity crisis, and revealing other crises of power, democracy, politics, and education. The study adds to the literature on English conceptualizations by bringing an understanding of the case of Brazil, which has not been as extensively investigated as other contexts. Moreover, the individual analyses presented bring new perspectives on the political discourses that have attempted to regulate loanword use in Brazil, and on the nature of language teaching in the country, besides emphasizing the role of pop culture in the understanding of English in that context. Further implications include the discussion of how the study of the spread of English may connect with different understandings of globalization, and the presentation of how the results contribute to language education. ii ACKNOWLEDGMENTS The present work would not have been possible without the guidance, assistance, love, and support of many important people. I am truly indebted to: God, first of all, for everything. My chair, Dr. Patricia Friedrich, for being such a wonderful and patient advisor, professor, friend, and for having fully supported me in every way throughout my years at ASU. I really admire her and appreciate her guidance. Dr. Aya Matsuda, for her great insights on all of my work, her full encouragement of my endeavors, and her constant willingness to help. Dr. James Gee, for sharing his incredible knowledge, for his great sense of humor, and for bringing the theory that was used in this dissertation. Drs. Eugene Garcia, Jeff MacSwan, Joe Tobin, Mark James, and Karen Adams, for being great supporters of my work in so many ways. Dr. Ryuko Kubota, from UBC, and my friend Ricardo Bion, for believing that I could do this and guiding me when it was all still a dream. Sheila Luna, for all her assistance. My great colleagues Matt Hammill, Daisy Fredricks, Man-chiu Lin, Jerry Zamora, Youmie Kim, Anita Chaudhuri, and Juval Racelis, for supporting me in so many ways. Also to Alberto Lima, Hanqiong Xu, Izabela Uscinski, Darien Ripple, and Amanda Gordenstein for the moments of fun and laughter. My parents, Eveline and Eduardo, my brothers, Fabricio and Flavio, and my nephew, Vinicius, for being a true blessing and joy in my life. Last, but certainly not least, my beautiful, wonderful wife, love of my life, and best friend, Aline, for her love, patience, advice, and for simply existing. iii TABLE OF CONTENTS Page LIST OF TABLES ...................................................................................................... ix LIST OF FIGURES ..................................................................................................... x CHAPTER 1 INTRODUCTION .................................................................................. 1 Statement of the problem .................................................................... 3 Purpose of the study ............................................................................ 4 Globalization and the spread of English: A literature review ........... 5 The multiple understandings of globalization ......................... 6 The global spread of English .................................................. 11 World Englishes............................................................ 12 English as a lingua franca ............................................. 14 Linguistic imperialism .................................................. 17 The sociolinguistics of globalization ........................... 20 A summary of current models of GSE ......................... 22 Conceptualizations of English ................................................ 24 The case of Brazil ................................................................... 30 Attitudes toward English .............................................. 31 English as a threat ......................................................... 32 English teaching in regular schools .............................. 33 Research questions ............................................................................ 35 Theoretical framework and definition of main concepts ................. 36 iv CHAPTER Page Language and discourse analysis ........................................... 36 Language as a concept ............................................................ 37 Language ideologies ............................................................... 38 Overview of the remaining chapters ................................................ 39 2 RESEARCH DESIGN ........................................................................ 40 Selecting domains of language regulation and use .......................... 40 Choosing representative data ............................................................ 44 Main discourses analyzed ....................................................... 45 Domain 1: Political discourse ...................................... 45 Domain 2: Pop culture .................................................. 45 Domain 3: Foreign language education ....................... 46 Additional data ........................................................................ 47 Domain 1: Other documents on political discourse ..... 47 Domain 2: Other movements and secondary sources . 47 Domain 3: Interviews with teachers ............................. 48 Data analysis ..................................................................................... 50 Analyses of the main documents ............................................ 50 Analyses of additional data .................................................... 52 Connecting the domains ......................................................... 52 Limitations ........................................................................................ 54 3 HISTORY, HOMOGENEITY AND OTHER MYTHS .................... 55 A discourse analysis of “Projeto de Lei 1676/1999” ....................... 57 v CHAPTER Page Linguistic, historical, and political contexts .......................... 58 Subjects, metaphors, and the unsaid ...................................... 61 A closer look at sign systems ................................................. 68 What is meant by identity? ..................................................... 71 Intertextuality and the enthymeme of language policy ......... 74 Isn’t that strange? .................................................................... 78 Trustworthiness: Other documents .................................................. 82 The scapegoat.................................................................................... 85 4 RECONCEPTUALIZING IDENTITIES ............................................ 88 The case of Manguebeat ................................................................... 89 Local, musical, and linguistic contexts .................................. 91 What’s in a name? .................................................................. 96 Creating new concepts ............................................................ 98 Another function of English ................................................. 103 Trustworthiness: Beyond Manguebeat .......................................... 103 Contesting traditional associations ................................................. 107 5 MOBILITY AND EMPOWERMENT ............................................. 111 Analyzing the discourses of ELT in Brazil .................................... 112 Educational and socioeconomic contexts ...........................