Other Languages, Societies, and Cultures Commons^™

Covid's Effect: World Dependency On Chinese Supply Chains, Rhiannon Toole

Senior Honors Projects

COVID’s Effect: World Dependency on Chinese Supply Chains

Since the 1990s, China has accelerated to become a global economic superpower. After the nation overtook Japan as the world’s second largest economy in 2010, it began to become clear to the world that China was no longer a nation to be overlooked, and that utilizing their massive economy would prove to be invaluable from a growth and monetary standpoint. Of course, this all came to a halt in early 2020 due to COVID’s impact on global supply chains, many of which were sourced out of the virus’ origin country. Companies worldwide …

Resurrecting Gaelic: Modernity And Heritage Language Revival In Scotland In A Comparative Perspective, Sean Coady

Departmental Honors & Graduate Capstone Projects

Many people from across the world have little or no connection to their heritage languages. Whether this loss is caused by conquest, colonialization, or simply lack of parent-child transmission, many believe that they are missing an integral part of their cultural identity and want to reclaim the languages of their forebearers. There is wide debate about how, why, and if this linguistic reclamation and revitalization should happen because, in the face of modernity and language evolution, the best solutions are not always clear. What constitutes successful language revitalization in the modern world, and why does it happen? Gaelic in Scotland …

Translanguaging Space In A Bilingual Program In New York City Chinatown Middle School, Xiaodi Zhou, Danling Fu

Bilingual and Literacy Studies Faculty Publications

This study explores how translanguaging pedagogy was practiced in a New York City Chinatown middle school to engage emergent bilingual students (EBs) with diverse language literacy backgrounds in their study of the grade level social studies curriculum. The data were collected over the past two decades while we worked with classroom teachers in search of effective ways to improve EBs’ school performance. We revisited this data utilizing a translanguaging lens to reconceptualize this past work and reframe our analysis to deepen understanding of translanguaging teaching praxis. Therefore, this research not only seeks possible ways to meet challenges in the education …

Nations Within Nations: The Heterogeneity Of Mexican Transnationals Of Indigenous Descent From Anzalduan Lenses, David Martinez-Prieto

Bilingual and Literacy Studies Faculty Publications

This chapter analyzes the significance and limitations of utilizing Gloria Anzaldúa’s framework when examining Mexican transnational communities of Mesoamerican ancestry after they return to Mexico. In this way, this chapter calls for a better understanding of the historical and political factors that impact the identities of Mexican transnationals of Indigenous origin. Based on data collected during three investigations with transnational (pre)service teachers from Indigenous communities in the Mexican states of Puebla (2017), Tlaxcala (2017), and Oaxaca (2018), the author analyzes the pertinence of Anzaldua’s framework in understanding the subjugation and internal differences of Indigenous transnational populations. This chapter also examines …

Fostering Successful Communities Of Collaboration Through Educational Partnerships: Strengthening Bilingual Learners' Language And Literacy Achievement Along The Texas-Mexican Border, Isela Almaguer

Bilingual and Literacy Studies Faculty Publications

There is an undisputable need to form collaborative partnerships between schools, families, homes, and communities across the nation. Collaborative educational partnerships are the cornerstone for student success. With increasingly diverse student populations, schools must communicate and collaborate with families and communities to bridge the wide gap that exists between home and school. With a dominant Spanish-speaking population of Mexican descent, as that of children living in the Southern tip of the Texas-Mexican border, known as The Rio Grande Valley, barriers such as low social economic status and limited English proficiency may impede much-needed communication between schools, homes, and communities. These …

8 National Perspectives On Mexican Transnational Eal Teachers: Ideological And Professional Challenges, David Martinez-Prieto, Kristen Lindahl

Bilingual and Literacy Studies Faculty Publications

No abstract provided.

Desgarrandonos De Nuestra Lengua: Ripping Us From Our Language, Lillian Ramos, Julia N. Ramirez

Bilingual and Literacy Studies Faculty Publications

Using a testimonio methodology, this study provides insight on how language ideologies, family, and education in the Texas Borderlands impacted two Latina teachers’ view and understanding of their identity. Through our personal experiences as PK-16 students, classroom teachers, and doctoral students, we were able to understand the colonization of our language and the subsequent endangerment of our bilingualism, which upon reflecting, had an impact on how we see ourselves as individuals, bilinguals, teachers, and Latinas. Our experiences with our bilingualism affected the way in which we perceive ourselves and our community. The reflection and analysis of our experiences allowed us …

Translingual Practices For The Development Of Latinx Teacher Candidates: A Pedagogy For The Border, Alcione N. Ostorga

Bilingual and Literacy Studies Faculty Publications

This article explores the application of translingual pedagogies within a course on the development of bilingualism for Latinx bilingual teacher candidates (BTCs) in the U.S.-Mexico borderlands. Using a self-study methodology, it examines the application of translanguaging pedagogies for Latinx BTCs, and their evolving language ideologies. The participants were mostly emergent bilinguals (EBs) whose native Spanish language development was negatively impacted by hegemonic educational practices in the local K-12 schools. Therefore, while the first aim of my pedagogical practices was to promote learning of the content of the course, a second aim was to promote the development of academic Spanish language …

Las Comunidades Asiáticas En Latinoamérica, Nina Lerrick

World Languages and Cultures

This project undertakes the examination of several prominent Asian communities in Latin American countries such as Mexico, Argentina, Peru, Brazil, and others in understanding the diverse intersection that is the Asian-Latino culture and identity. Within the United States, there is a growing community of Asian-Latinos that share both the cultural identities of the Hispanic/Latinx community (cultural environment) and the Asian communities (familial and cultural upbringing). Likewise, in U.S. cities such as New York City and Los Angeles, there have been notable Asian-Latino restaurants that offer Asian cuisine and Latin cuisine, as well as a rise of new Asian-Latin infused cuisines …

(Re) Actualizing Culturally Sustaining Read Aloud Practices: Enriching Latinx Bilingual Learners’ Literacy Development, Isela Almaguer

Bilingual and Literacy Studies Faculty Publications

Focusing on culturally sustaining literacy practices, I sought to conceptualize the integration of culturally rich literature as inclusionary practices for the reading and literacy development of Latinx bilingual learners. It is forecasted that by 2036, Latinx students will make up a third of the nation’s 3 to 17 year old learners - our school age population (US Census Bureau, 2010). Recognizing the importance of engaging with culturally sustaining read alouds and the value in learners seeing themselves reflected in the stories allows for increased opportunities for engagement in the literature used in the read alouds. I steadfastly advocate for asset-based …

Language As The Medium: A Literature Review. Harnessing The Prolific Power Of Dramatic Language As A Therapeutic Tool In Drama Therapy, Edward Freeman

Expressive Therapies Capstone Theses

Language in and of the theatre, with its palate of variegated writing styles and playwrights from throughout time, has the potential to be harnessed, focused, and systematized for use as a therapeutic tool within drama therapy – the field’s artistic medium. Drama therapy could benefit from having a specific medium germane to its artform which has the potential to provide practitioners with a common resource and means of communication, assessment, diagnosis, and treatment planning, as well as align the field with other creative arts therapies. Language encompasses all forms of human communication – speaking, writing, signing, gesturing, expressing facially – …

Impact Of Online Learning On International Students’ English Language Concerns, Jiayi Du, Yiwei (Scarlett) Sun

Arts & Sciences Student Symposium

With the onset of COVID-19, U.S. universities have been forced to move many, even all, courses online. At the University of Richmond, many of our international students faced visa restrictions due to COVID and were required to stay in their countries. As a result, the majority of our international students must attend their classes remotely. International students may find language to be a challenge during online learning. The purpose of our study is to learn more about how, if at all, online classes have an impact on international students’ English language concerns.

Engaging In “Dangerous Discussions”: Fostering Cultural Competence Through The Analysis Of Depictions Of College Life In Popular Films., Elena M. Venegas, Lakia M. Scott, Karon N. Lecompte, Mia Moody-Ramirez, Yongpen Zhu

Bilingual and Literacy Studies Faculty Publications

This qualitative case study utilized critical media literacy to guide the analysis of the depiction of racially and ethnically diverse college students in contemporary popular films. Participants in this study were racially and ethnically diverse undergraduate students enrolled at a private, predominantly White institution in the United States. Three primary themes emerged from this study. First, students of color were more apt to recognize stereotypical portrayals of people of color in the films, whereas White students’ responses were more attuned with color-blind racial ideology (CBRI). Second, media-centered discussions provided an outlet for students of color to share their personal experiences …

Translanguaging For Equity, Xiaodi Zhou

Bilingual and Literacy Studies Faculty Publications

No abstract provided.

David E. Dematthews And Elena Izquierdo (Eds.): Dual Language Education: Teaching And Learning In Two Languages, Alcione N. Ostorga

Bilingual and Literacy Studies Faculty Publications

This edited volume includes the contributions of a respected community of scholars, many well-known figures in the field of bilingual education. The book presents a comprehensive and interdisciplinary examination of dual language (DL) education, an additive bilingual education approach for English language learners, currently identified as emergent bilinguals (EBs). Although the focus of this volume is on DL and the bilingual education context in the state of Texas, and particularly along the US–Mexico border, it nevertheless provides information for principals, teachers and teacher preparation programs with implications that are relevant for other states within the US. Written in three parts, …

Concerning A Manuscript From A Moravian Immigrant’S Trunk: Postil By Johann Spangenberg (1557), Hana Waisserova

Department of Modern Languages and Literatures: Faculty Publications

In Nebraska, a family of Czech ancestry possesses a precious and unusual family artifact—an antique early-modern book, which was passed down in the family from generation to generation as their most precious treasure, a book that is much older than most carefully investigated family genealogies. The book has neat calligraphy and prints, leather binding, and comprises more than a thousand pages, though the first batch of pages is missing. The inside of the cover bears a pencil-written date: 1542. There are no title pages, no forewords, and no introductory chapter(s). The family lore tells that they kept it hidden in …

On The Road To Translanguaging In A Dual Language Classroom: Teaching Math And Science In Mandarin And English, Xiaodi Zhou

Bilingual and Literacy Studies Faculty Publications

This article examines the evolving instructional practice of one Chinese dual language instructor in the US as she employs a translanguaging-inspired approach in her math and science Mandarin medium classes. Contrary to the school language allocation policy requiring 90% Mandarin in her Chinese classes, she encourages the utilization of English as well as Mandarin in her instruction. This offers comprehensible input to learners, also making possible greater student participation. Findings from observations and interviews reveal how a focus on meaning-making in instruction resulted in the gradual evolution of bilingual language use and effective communication of content by students and the …

Acknowledging And Affirming University Students’ Linguistic And Cultural Capital In An Education Course, J. Joy Esquierdo

Bilingual and Literacy Studies Faculty Publications

In order to effectively prepare K-12 teachers to serve linguistically and culturally diverse students, it is vital to provide opportunities for them to develop their intra- and intercultural understandings. This paper describes how a faculty member designed and delivered a teacher preparation class centered on culturally relevant approaches. Students enrolled in this course completed assignments that were designed to guide them through an intracultural reflection to then expand their understandings to an intercultural context. Considering the students’ diverse linguistic and cultural experiences, assignments and projects provided opportunities for them to recognize their linguistic and cultural wealth in order to build …

Myth Busting: Low-Income Latinx Immigrant Parental Involvement, Kathy Bussert-Webb, María E. Díaz

Bilingual and Literacy Studies Faculty Publications

This longitudinal qualitative study, involving low-income parents and children, tutorial-agency staff, and one college student (all Latinx), took place in a city along the U.S./Mexico border. Data sources included field notes through participant observation, questionnaires, and interviews. The authors asked, “How are parents involved in their children's education? What limitations or barriers do they express?” Using a social justice framework and grounded-theory data analysis, these types of parental involvement emerged: academic, social skills, school volunteerism, extracurricular activities, community, and college enrollment. Conversely, parents expressed involvement obstacles. Implications relate to changing the deficit discourse regarding low-income, immigrant parents' involvement. Collaborating with …

Flipping A Virtual Efl Public Speaking Class Integrated With Moocs During The Covid-19 Pandemic, Zhuo Li, Xiaodi Zhou

Bilingual and Literacy Studies Faculty Publications

This case study explored Chinese undergraduate EFL students’ attitudes to and perceptions of an online English public speaking course, which employs a virtual flipped classroom model and MOOCs during the COVID-19 pandemic outbreak. Since all classes were moved online, a previously flipped public speaking course integrated with MOOCs was converted into a virtual flipped classroom. All 25 participants of the study were undergraduate students in the science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) field. Zoom, Blackboard, and QQ instant messenger were platforms utilized in instruction. There were weekly two-hour Zoom meetings with learning activities using MOOCs on Blackboard. The study collected …

Eda Kriseová And Her Prophecy Of The Velvet Revolution: “The Gates Opened” (1984), Hana Waisserova, Eda Kriseová

Department of Modern Languages and Literatures: Faculty Publications

This is an introduction to a story, “The Gates Opened,” which serves as a memento of a restrictive regime that banned freedom. It also shares a hope and vision that the gates would open someday—and all would be liberated (despite the chaos and lack of natural order). The story was written in 1984 (sharing a strong symbolic value with George Orwell’s masterpiece). Eda Kriseová shares this anecdote: Around 1984, she wanted to stop writing about the mental institution where she was working, while regularly providing a story to the underground monthly Obsah, and many of her stories were set in …

Transformando La Clase Universitária: El Uso De Photovoice Como Herramienta Metodológica [Transforming The University Classroom: The Use Of Photovoice As A Methodological Tool], Sandra I. Musanti, Bettina Steren Dos Santos

Bilingual and Literacy Studies Faculty Publications

Improving teaching practices in higher education requires an understanding of the impact of pedagogical innovations in student learning through the analysis of the theoretical implications and the articulation of creativity, motivation and learning. This article describes a pedagogical experience that integrates the use of Photovoice, a strategy originally designed to combine photography with digital narration and social participation. This experience was implemented in an online master's course for educators at a southern university in the United States. The use of Photovoice allowed students to explore issues of equity, social justice and education through digital images as the mediating element to …

The Poetics Aesthetics Of Testimonios . Subverting “I” For Social “I/We.” Una Lengua Que Desquicia La Academia, Miryam Espinosa-Dulanto, Freyca Calderon-Berumen

Bilingual and Literacy Studies Faculty Publications

I/We are immigrants in the United States, passionately engaged in a decolonizing project, working with testimonios encargados. I/We respectfully chose to share them as POC epistemologies to correct its omission in most history and presence of millions of residents of this land. Based on this sharing, we also subvert the Western “I” for a community shared, social “I/We” and advance the poetics aesthetics of testimonios.

Efectos De La Pandemia De Coronavirus Covid-19 En Estudiantes Extranjeros Y Su Posible Impacto En Los Programas De Estudio En El Extranjero En El Futuro, Gloria Chavez

World Languages and Cultures

The purpose of this project is to discover the effects that the COVID-19 pandemic had on the study abroad experience of American students participating in a study abroad program in Lyon, France during the 2019-20 academic year, and to evaluate possible impacts on and changes in the future of study abroad in consideration of their experiences and the pandemic. These students were subject to an early departure from France when their in-person program was shut down by the rising pandemic in March 2019. Participating students were interviewed about this early departure, the measures taken by the study abroad provider in …

A Morphological Analysis Of Lun Bawang, Mugundan Shalini

Student Works (2020-2029)

Linguists generally acknowledge that there exists an inevitable inter-relationship between different levels of linguistic analysis; phonetics, phonology, morphology, syntax, and semantics. Various linguistic labels are used to describe such a link. In particular, there exists a bridge between the phonology and morphology of particular languages. The term morphophonemic is generally used to describe linguistic statements that can be made of the phonemic structure of morphemes and their effect on the grammatical content of languages. This research attempts a morphophonemic analysis in one Austronesian language which is known as Lun Bawang, a language own by Lun Bawang or Murut community in …

Phil The Phytoplankton, Kylie Kihm, Lexi Frankiewich

World Languages and Cultures

This project, a bilingual children's book, “Phil the Phytoplankton” and “Felipe el fitoplancton” educates young readers on the importance of phytoplankton in our world. The book emphasizes the fact that such small organisms, invisible to the naked eye unless gathered in immense quantities, are responsible for providing the earth with approximately 50% of the oxygen essential for human life. As defined by Cal Poly, sustainability is “the ability of the natural and social systems to survive and thrive together to meet current and future needs.” This book encourages a symbiotic relationship as a young girl, initially afraid of the unknown, …

Kinesthetic Language: A Dialect Of Kinesics, Terrill Suzanne Corletto

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

Human communication requires the disciplines regarding physical fitness, codified language, and the performing arts to overlap, and exist symbiotically. Within the realm of artistic performance, the three disciplines working together deliver a deliberate message in a way unique to performing artists. The general tendency to compartmentalize sports, communication, and the performing arts into their pigeonhole categories of Kinesiology, Linguistics, and Theatre Arts is impractical, particularly for performing artists simply because all of the disciplines are mutually dependent in the context of all kinesthetic communications.

The purpose of this paper is to define and discuss several concepts and the ways in …

I See What You're Saying: A Deaf Culture And American Sign Language Awareness Event, Alexis M. Sejnoha

Honors Thesis

Deaf Culture and American Sign Language are an important part of the Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing community. Most people outside of this community are unaware of these aspects, and remain uneducated about them. This document is an event plan for an educational event about American Sign Language and Deaf Culture, as well as an artist statement explaining the conception and implementation of this plan, and how it was impacted by the Covid 19 pandemic.

Separate Is Never Equal: Utilizing Question-Answer Relationships To Foster Elementary Students’ Reading Comprehension, Elena M. Venegas

Bilingual and Literacy Studies Faculty Publications

This chapter presents lessons for the English language arts and reading classroom using the Question-Answer Relationships (QAR) strategy with the book Separate Is Never Equal: Sylvia Mendez and Her Family's Fight for Desegregation. Both the book and the lessons presented center on historical and contemporary issues surrounding school segregation, desegregation, and resegregation. Thus, the lessons presented in this chapter are also appropriate for the social studies classroom and may be used to address curriculum standards set forth by the National Council for the Social Studies. Through its use of both explicit and implicit questioning, the Question­Answer Relationships strategy can be …

Cultivating An Ethic Of Care At A Hispanic-Serving College Of Education: Individual Stories And A Collective Narrative, Karin A. Lewis, Miryam Espinosa-Dulanto, Jacqueline B. Koonce, Vejoya Viren

Bilingual and Literacy Studies Faculty Publications

The “ethic of care,” according to Sander-Staudt, is built on the “motivation to care for those who are dependent and vulnerable, and is inspired by both memories of being cared for and the idealizations of self”. Research on teaching behaviors that make a difference to student learning implies that good relationships with students and the ethics of care are important practices of teaching. However, these are not overtly stated, “possibly because the concepts are nebulous and more philosophical than pragmatic”. The impact of one’s teaching practice on students is revealed through meetings with former students who remember interactions, unrelated to …