The roles of English in Afghanistan
Bibliographic Data
| ID | 12131768 |
|---|---|
| Authors | Hywel Coleman (0000-0003-3996-1514, University of Leeds UK, corresponding author) |
| Year | 2021 |
| Volume | 41 |
| Issue | 1 |
| Pages | 54-71 |
| Publication date | 2021-05-14 |
| Open Access | Yes |
| Type | ARTICLE |
| Venue | World Englishes (JOURNAL) |
| Journal identifiers | ISSN: 0883-2919 • E-ISSN: 1467-971X |
| Publisher | Wiley (PUBLISHER • GB) |
| DOI | 10.1111/weng.12555 |
| OpenAlex | W3160025197 |
| Language | EN |
| Citations received | 3 |
| References cited | 14 |
This paper examines the roles the English language is expected to play in contemporary war‐torn Afghanistan. It identifies 12 roles – some functional, others aspirational. English has a role to play in the development of Afghanistan, albeit limited, and it is believed to provide a means of escape, both literally and metaphorically. On the other hand, in some sections of society, English is seen negatively. In other contexts, English is required to play a neutral role between the two national languages. Analysis of the way that English is used in aspirational contexts suggests a parallel with shamanistic language: it does not need to be understood but, for its audience, the intended beneficiaries, that does not make it any less effective as a symbolic language, at least in the short term. In the longer term, however, as promised benefits fail to appear, English may increasingly be perceived negatively
English language · Linguistics · Sociology · Term (time · History · Philosophy · Second Language Learning and Teaching · Translation Studies and Practices
| Citations per year | 1 |
|---|---|
| Citation span | 2023 - 2026 (4) |
| Highly cited | No |