Pennycook, Alastair

Bibliographic Data

ID23717271
AuthorsEmi Otsuji (0000-0003-3318-0995, corresponding author)
Year2025
Pages1-8
Publication date2025-12-02
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeCHAPTER
VenueEncyclopedia of Applied Linguistics (SOURCE_BOOK)
PublisherWiley (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1002/9781405198431.wbeal0903.pub2
OpenAlexW4416917614
ISBN9781405198431
LanguageEN
References cited16

Alastair Pennycook, a prominent figure in Applied Linguistics, has significantly impacted various fields including the global spread of English, critical applied linguistics, language studies, and urban multilingualism. His work is firmly rooted in social, cultural, ideological, material, and political contexts, challenging social inequalities and dominant discourses with strong ethical responsibility. The central tenet of Alastair's work is that language can never be indifferent to the sociocultural, political, and economic environments in which it is used, and therefore applied linguistics should always be attuned to the “matters of concern.” His early work on the global spread of English shed light on the multifaceted nature of English and opened people's eyes to the “worldliness” of English and the effect of colonial, sociocultural, economic, and political contexts on the global spread of English. His subsequent work—critical applied linguistics—takes a critical approach to language education, policy, pedagogy, rights, and planning by placing power and politics at the core of organizational values and principles. In his critical studies of language and linguistics, he engages deeply with language epistemologies, as part of his critical linguistic project, by seeing language as socially constructed in large part by its use. He is also a well‐known sociolinguist and explores translingual practices and urban multilingualism (Metrolingualism). His recent work on a post‐humanist approach challenges traditional epistemology by redefining the relationship between humans and the nonhuman realm.

Language planning · Language policy · Multilingualism · On Language · Politics · Power (physics) · Sociolinguistics · Sociology of language · Work (physics)

Tools

Open DOILibgen