Write White Right? Challenges and Opportunities in Incorporating Culturally Relevant Language in Academic Writing
- Szuyin Leow (Iowa State University)
Abstract
Traditional academic discourse tends to marginalize the voices of racialized persons and communities, creating dual identities for students as writers and communicators. Students, specifically those for whom Standard American English is not their first language, are expected to conform to White, middle-class forms of English communication while maintaining the language of their home culture. We posit that language is inseparable from one's identity and that omitting one's native language from academic discourse comes with consequences. This session will discuss challenges and tensions associated with including culturally-relevant language in academic writing, as well as opportunities for advancing writing practices which center racialized forms of communication.