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Diversity of attitudes to English in non-professional public discourse: A focus on Lithuania

An analysis of the narratives people tell about English as a global language in the local context of Lithuania

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  11 May 2017

Jūratė Ruzaitė
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Extract

This paper stems from the ongoing debate on the changing role and status of English in different parts of the world, with a special interest in the socio-historical background of a post-Soviet country. The international status of English has given rise to different reactions among speakers, ranging from attraction to resentment (cf. Onysko, 2009: 34). These reactions are expressed in public online discourse, which provides a rich resource of empirical evidence to study public attitudes and language ideologies. Digital media offers an especially important strategic site to disseminate ideologies and shape public opinions. This paper analyses the spectrum of discourses operating within Lithuanian digital media to perpetuate attitudes towards English and the values associated with it.

Type
Research Article
Information
English Today , Volume 33 , Issue 3 , September 2017 , pp. 15 - 24
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Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2017 

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