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Antonio Gramsci: A Pedagogy to Change the WorldLanguage, Education and European Unification: Perceptions and Reality of Global English in Italy

Antonio Gramsci: A Pedagogy to Change the World: Language, Education and European Unification:... [The first part of this chapter outlines the basic elements of a Gramscian framework for studying the political economy of languages, focusing especially on English as a global language. It draws on Gramsci’s views on diversity and unification, on passive revolution and on linguistic insecurity. These views are discussed as part of Gramsci’s critique of the abstract nature of liberal, Enlightenment concepts of universal progress and cosmopolitan civilization, as well as in terms of their application to the present, with particular reference to the language policy of the European Union. The second part of the chapter uses Italy as a case study. In this country, as in much of the EU, knowledge of foreign languages – of English, in particular – is perceived as a tool to gain access to material and non-material resources. The available evidence, however, shows that a confident command of English is typically achieved by those Italians who already had better access to relevant resources, including relevant forms of geographic mobility. Cultural barriers and social inequality limit the beneficial aspects of global languages, even when favourable educational policies are in place. In conclusion, this chapter suggests that abstract claims about the possibility and benefits of fully mastering foreign languages may increase the risk of individual insecurity and frustration, further reducing popular support for European integration and paving the way for populist nationalism.] http://www.deepdyve.com/assets/images/DeepDyve-Logo-lg.png

Antonio Gramsci: A Pedagogy to Change the WorldLanguage, Education and European Unification: Perceptions and Reality of Global English in Italy

Part of the Critical Studies of Education Book Series (volume 5)
Editors: Pizzolato, Nicola; Holst, John D.
Carlucci, Alessandro
Antonio Gramsci: A Pedagogy to Change the World — Mar 2, 2017
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References (27)

Publisher
Springer International Publishing
Copyright
© Springer International Publishing Switzerland 2017
ISBN
978-3-319-40447-9
Pages
127 –148
DOI
10.1007/978-3-319-40449-3_7
Publisher site
See Chapter on Publisher Site

Abstract

[The first part of this chapter outlines the basic elements of a Gramscian framework for studying the political economy of languages, focusing especially on English as a global language. It draws on Gramsci’s views on diversity and unification, on passive revolution and on linguistic insecurity. These views are discussed as part of Gramsci’s critique of the abstract nature of liberal, Enlightenment concepts of universal progress and cosmopolitan civilization, as well as in terms of their application to the present, with particular reference to the language policy of the European Union. The second part of the chapter uses Italy as a case study. In this country, as in much of the EU, knowledge of foreign languages – of English, in particular – is perceived as a tool to gain access to material and non-material resources. The available evidence, however, shows that a confident command of English is typically achieved by those Italians who already had better access to relevant resources, including relevant forms of geographic mobility. Cultural barriers and social inequality limit the beneficial aspects of global languages, even when favourable educational policies are in place. In conclusion, this chapter suggests that abstract claims about the possibility and benefits of fully mastering foreign languages may increase the risk of individual insecurity and frustration, further reducing popular support for European integration and paving the way for populist nationalism.]

Published: Mar 2, 2017

Keywords: Foreign Language; Language Policy; Geographic Mobility; Italian School; Foreign Language Learning

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