English, super‐diversity, and identity in the State of Qatar

This article provides a contemporary profile of English, or Englishes thereof, in the State of Qatar, a tiny country undergoing tremendous socio‐cultural transformations. The historical background section contextualizes Qatar's contemporary linguistic ‘super‐diversity’ as a continuity of mobili...

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Bibliographic Details
Published inWorld Englishes Vol. 37; no. 2; pp. 228 - 247
Main Authors Hillman, Sara, Ocampo Eibenschutz, Emilio
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published Oxford Blackwell Publishing Ltd 01.06.2018
Subjects
Arabic language
Cultural differences
Cultural heritage
Cultural identity
Education policy
English language
Language culture relationship
Language policy
Learning environment
Multiculturalism & pluralism
Persian language
Sociolinguistics
Qatar
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Summary:This article provides a contemporary profile of English, or Englishes thereof, in the State of Qatar, a tiny country undergoing tremendous socio‐cultural transformations. The historical background section contextualizes Qatar's contemporary linguistic ‘super‐diversity’ as a continuity of mobility, integration, and exchange with various communities within and beyond the shores of the Arab/Persian Gulf for centuries. We describe Qatar's present‐day sociolinguistic situation, English language policy initiatives and reforms in the educational context, and take a critical stance toward the common homogenizing view of English and Arabic language in the region, one that precludes a nuanced understanding in terms of wider cultural and linguistic processes taking place and shaping identities in Qatar today.
ISSN:0883-2919
1467-971X
DOI:10.1111/weng.12312