Category Archives: Unit 1

Traves and Linguistic Imperialism

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In Julie Traves’s essay “The Church of Please and Thank You,” she stresses the connection between language and culture and insists that students of English as a foreign language (EFL) are absorbing Western values as they learn English, comparing EFL teachers to Christian missionaries who attempt to convert others to their value system. Traves uses the term “linguistic imperialism” (174:7) to emphasize the colonizing power of English, and she advocates for a new way of teaching English so that it can become a bridge between cultures rather than a dominant force (178:25).

For this blog response, I would like you to write a coherent paragraph-length response (at least 125 words) in which you thoughtfully respond to the following questions: Do you agree with Traves that “English has irrevocably changed and acculturated the world already” through linguistic imperialism (179:30)? Do you view English as a culturally colonizing force that is invading and absorbing other cultures, including your own native culture? Why or why not?

Follow the “Blog Response Guidelines” posted on BB > Assignments > Glob. HW Assignments and post your response in the “Leave a Reply” section below before class time on Thursday, 2/6.

Welcome to our class blog!

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Hello, WR112 O1 students!

This semester, we will be using this course blog to expand our in-class discussions about the readings and to consider multiple perspectives on globalization through various media. Whenever you see words that are bolded and in a different color (<-like that!), it means that you can click on those words to link over to a related online resource, such as an online article, video, song, infographic, etc. Go ahead and click the bolded/linked words above to see where they lead you!

This blog will also provide us with unique opportunities to acknowledge and respond to one another’s points of view using the helpful templates from They Say / I Say (e.g., I agree with your point that ____, but I disagree with your view on ____ because ____). This will be a practical and logical supplement to our in-class discussions, and it will allow you the chance to engage with your classmates in meaningful ways outside of the classroom.

When I assign you a blog response, I intend for you to offer a thoughtful reply to whatever topic and/or question I raise in my post, so that you are entering into the conversation and sharing your own point of view. Please refer to the “Blog Response Guidelines” handout posted to Blackboard > Assignments > Globalization HW Assignments for specific guidelines and evaluation criteria for your blog responses, and do not hesitate to get in touch with me in class or via email if you have any questions.

I look forward to learning more about your perspectives on the important themes and issues raised in our readings!

Sincerely,

Dr. Yoder