Multiculturalism and Multilingualism as Ideology

Bibliographic Data

ID23645345
AuthorsRyuko Kubota (0000-0001-5072-7169, corresponding author)
Year2025
Pages1-8
Publication date2025-05-26
Open AccessYes
TypeCHAPTER
VenueEncyclopedia of Applied Linguistics (SOURCE_BOOK)
PublisherWiley (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1002/9781405198431.wbeal20308
OpenAlexW4410749379
ISBN9781405198431
LanguageEN
References cited12

The concepts of multiculturalism and multilingualism promoted in applied linguistics research embrace liberal ideology that challenges the taken‐for‐granted legitimacy of the dominant forms of culture and language. Ideological underpinnings of both concepts can be examined through an overview of the development of multicultural education in the United States and Canada, as well as the recent popularity of the inquiry into linguistic diversity. In the United States, multicultural education emerged during the civil rights era and has tended to superficially recognize and celebrate cultural differences. Although such liberal multiculturalism has been challenged by critical multicultural education, which pays closer attention to racism and other injustices, the critical approach has more recently been absorbed into a broader focus on education for social justice. In Canada, multiculturalism became a state policy in response to increased ethnic diversity during the time when official bilingualism in English and French was being established. Similar to the United States, multicultural education in Canada has tended to support a liberal approach, although critical orientations, especially repatriation of Indigenous people's culture and language, have recently emerged. In both American and Canadian contexts, multilingualism and multiculturalism have become increasingly complicit with neoliberal ideology that promotes diversity for pursuing capitalist interest. Concerning multilingualism, although the recent trend of the multi/plural turn valorizes linguistic diversity and fluidity, critical perspectives scrutinize how linguistic differences are reproduced and hierarchized by power. Furthermore, the multi/plural approaches to culture and language can easily become complicit with neoliberal ideology. Applied linguists should stay vigilant against repressive ideology.

Ideology · Linguistics · Multiculturalism · Multilingualism · Pedagogy · Political science · Sociology · Global Education and Multiculturalism · Law · Multilingual Education and Policy · Philosophy

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