Critical Perspectives on Language and Discourse in the New World Order

Edited By: Faiz Sathi Abdullah, Mardziah Hayati Abdullah, Tan Bee Hoon

£39.99

This collection explores language in the “New World Order,” raising consciousness about how discourse constructs identities and empowers users. A significant contribution to the critical discussion, it highlights the socially transformative role of language.

The papers in this book explore language use in a broad range of discourse fields. They provide theoretical perspectives on global orientations to social, political…

The papers in this book explore language use in a broad range of discourse fields. They provide theoretical perspectives on global orientations to social, political and economic transformations in the “New World Order” (NWO), and extend these with studies on the impacts of such transformations at the local, national, regional and global levels. The discussions highlight current concerns among academics and political commentators about the potential social impact of representations of the NWO in language and discourse. The present work is important in raising social consciousness towards the central role that language and discourse play in the construction of shifting/multiple identities. In this way, the roles of critical discourse analysis and indeed that of the analysts themselves are emancipative and socially transformative. The value of such consciousness-raising for potential social action in language user empowerment terms cannot be overstressed, particularly given the ascendant position of the English language in the NWO. This collection is a significant contribution to the ongoing critical discussion on global order discourse.

Faiz Sathi Abdullah is Associate Professor of Applied Linguistics at the Faculty of Modern Languages and Communication, Universiti Putra Malaysia where he teaches speech communication, ESP and critical discourse analysis. His main research interests are in critical discourse studies and English for Academic Purposes and has published in these areas.

Mardziah Hayati Abdullah is Associate Professor of English Studies at the Faculty of Modern Languages and Communication, Universiti Putra Malaysia. She conducts research and publishes in the areas of computer-mediated communication, media discourse and language in society. She was the chief editor of The English Teacher from 2006–2007.

Tan Bee Hoon is Associate Professor at the Faculty of Modern Languages and Communication, Universiti Putra Malaysia. Her research interest is language learning technology. Her recent publications include an edited book titled Theoretical and Practical Orientations in Language and Literature Studies. She is the chief editor of The English Teacher (2008).

Faiz S. Abdullah, Hafriza Burhanudeen, Anne De Cort, Zuraidah Mohd Don, Wong Bee Eng, Jariah Mohd. Jan, Gijsen Johan, Gerry Knowles, Michelle M. Lazar, Lean Mei Li, Shakila Abdul Manan, Ramesh Nair, Lokasundari Vijaya Sankar, Mardziah Hayati Abdullah