Disaffiliation amongst academically elite students in Singapore: the role of a non-standard variety of English

2021 ◽  
Vol 2021 (271) ◽  
pp. 139-166
Author(s):  
Luke Lu
Keyword(s):  
Peer Groups ◽  
Transnational Migration ◽  
Interview Data ◽  
Standard English ◽  
Standard Variety ◽  
Multinational Group ◽  
Social Fields ◽  
English I

Abstract This article seeks to examine whether and how a non-standard variety of English (i.e. Singlish) might contribute to (dis)affiliation amongst a multinational group of academically elite students in Singapore. Using interview data when informants expressed ideologies about Singlish and Standard English, I argue that informants tended to orient to two different social fields in interviews: a field of education where Standard English is consistently valued by them, and an informal field of socialisation where the value of Singlish is contested. Differences in valuation of Singlish suggest disaffiliation between two groups of academically elite students: (a) immigrants from China who arrived more recently and do not value Singlish; (b) localised peer groups (including immigrants and Singaporeans) who claim to value and practise Singlish in their informal interactions. There are implications for our understanding of the role of vernaculars in processes of transnational migration, and Singlish as a local marker of solidarity.

Searching for ‘success’: generation, gender and onward migration in the Iranian diaspora

2017 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
pp. 101-112 ◽  
Author(s):  
Melissa Kelly
Keyword(s):  
Life History ◽  
Young Age ◽  
Onward Migration ◽  
Social Fields ◽  
Transnational Social Fields ◽  
High Level ◽  
Iranian Diaspora

This article uses the concepts of ‘transnational social fields’ and ‘habitus’ to explore the multifaceted role families play in shaping the aspirations of onward migrating youth. The article draws on biographical life history interviews conducted with the children of Iranian migrants who were raised in Sweden but moved to London, UK as adults. The findings of the study suggest that from a young age, all the participants were pressured by their parents to perform well academically, and to achieve high level careers. These goals were easier to achieve in London than in Sweden for several reasons. Interestingly, however, participants’ understandings of what constituted success and their motivations for onward migration were nuanced and varied considerably by gender. The study contributes to an understanding of the role of multi-sited transnational social fields in shaping the aspirations of migrant youths, as well as the strategies taken up by these migrants to achieve their goals.

Globalization, Citizenship, and Subjectivity in Self Construction

2020 ◽  
Vol 10 ◽  
pp. 135-146
Author(s):  
Namita Poudel
Keyword(s):  
Social Structure ◽  
Social Field ◽  
Self Identity ◽  
The Social ◽  
Social Fields ◽  
Research Questions

One of the profound questions that troubled many philosophers is– “Who am I?” where do I come from? ‘Why am I, where I am? Or “How I see myself?” and maybe more technically -What is my subjectivity? How my subjectivity is formed and transformed? My attempt, in this paper, is to look at “I”, and see how it got shaped. To understand self, this paper tries to show, how subjectivity got transformed or persisted over five generations with changing social structure and institutions. In other words, I am trying to explore self-identity. I have analyzed changing subjectivity patterns of family, and its connection with globalization. Moreover, the research tries to show the role of the Meta field in search of subjectivity based on the following research questions; how my ancestor’s subjectivity changed with social fields? Which power forced them to change their citizenship? And how my identity is shaped within the metafield? The methodology of my study is qualitative. Faced to face interview is taken with the oldest member of family and relatives. The finding of my research is the subjectivity of Namita Poudel (Me) is shaped by the meta field, my position, and practices in the social field.

The Role of Islamic Piety Movements in the Lives of Malaysian Female Muslim Students in the United Kingdom

2021 ◽  
pp. 102831532110270
Author(s):  
Ireena Nasiha Ibnu ◽  
Norzaini Azman
Keyword(s):  
United Kingdom ◽  
Student Mobility ◽  
Transnational Migration ◽  
Family Influence ◽  
Ethnographic Research ◽  
Muslim Students ◽  
Studying Abroad ◽  
The United Kingdom ◽  
Fictive Kinship

This paper explores the transnational trajectories of female Malaysian Muslim students through their commitment to piety-minded forms of Islam. In particular, it seeks to identify the reasons for their participation in piety movements and its importance to their lives. The ethnographic research, conducted over 8 months, involved 18 Malaysian female respondents who were studying and living in Manchester between 2016 and 2017. The findings show that the students’ involvement in piety movements was due to fictive kinship providing generous hospitality upon their arrival to the United Kingdom, pre-departure programs on preparation for studying abroad, family influence and sisterhood relationships. Participation in piety movements is said to help relieve stress and overcome loneliness, and is considered vital in guiding Muslim students to lead fulfilling and virtuous lives. The findings contribute significantly to transnational student mobility theories and the importance of sociality and religion in transnational migration.

The role of World War II in the development of Luxembourgish as a national language

2009 ◽  
Vol 33 (2) ◽  
pp. 112-131 ◽  
Author(s):  
Melanie Wagner ◽  
Winifred V. Davies
Keyword(s):  
World War Ii ◽  
Language Policy ◽  
Theoretical Approach ◽  
Final Section ◽  
Present Situation ◽  
Language Choice ◽  
Interview Data ◽  
National Language ◽  
World War

This paper explores the link between explicit Luxembourgish language policy and the actual practices as well as expressed attitudes of a group of speakers of Luxembourgish, with the aim of studying the role of World War II in the advancement of Luxembourgish as Luxembourg’s national language. The first two sections introduce the theoretical approach of the paper and provide an overview of the history and present situation of Luxembourg and Luxembourgish. The following two sections present the findings of a sociolinguistic study of language choice, language values and identities, and linguistic (in)security among a group of Luxembourgish letter-writers, as well as recent interview data provided by the sole surviving correspondent. The final section brings together these results and the claims made regarding the role of World War II in the changing status of Luxembourgish and points out the complexity of this discussion.

Social support, well-being and involvement of fathers in transnational families in the Philippines

2020 ◽  
Vol 29 (4) ◽  
pp. 492-510
Author(s):  
Melissa Garabiles
Keyword(s):  
Social Support ◽  
Peer Support ◽  
Spousal Support ◽  
Paternal Involvement ◽  
Transnational Migration ◽  
Well Being ◽  
The Philippines ◽  
Transnational Families ◽  
Left Behind

This study investigated left-behind Filipino fathers and their involvement as child caregivers. It hypothesized that social support and well-being predict paternal involvement, with well-being as the mediator. Results showed that familial and peer support predicted involvement, with well-being as mediator. Spousal support did not predict involvement or well-being. Findings highlight the importance of familial and peer support to left-behind fathers. Interactions between significant predictors of involvement present novel pathways to childcare. The non-significant role of spousal support is discussed in the context of transnational migration. Several interventions involving families and peers are suggested.

Training Partners for the Long Haul

2020 ◽  
pp. 81-97
Author(s):  
Kymberly Harris ◽  
Dana D. Sparkman ◽  
Cheryl L. Doran
Keyword(s):  
Doctoral Students ◽  
Peer Groups ◽  
Task Completion ◽  
Writing Groups ◽  
Doctoral Candidate ◽  
Group Members ◽  
Doctoral Candidates ◽  
Task Satisfaction ◽  
Dissertation Process

This chapter seeks to provide the background, benefits, and design of writing groups created to aid doctoral candidates in the completion of the dissertation process. Literature will be used to support the rationale for such groups and will outline the structure that can be used to create and support doctoral students in peer groups by their dissertation chair or facilitator. In this chapter, specific guidelines for the creation of the groups and the role of the chair are outlined, and suggestions for remedying dysfunctional groups or group members. While ultimately the doctoral candidate is responsible for the successful completion and defense of his or her own research, peer groups can be instrumental in promoting task completion and task satisfaction.

6. The components of slang

2016 ◽  
pp. 83-93
Author(s):  
Jonathon Green
Keyword(s):  
Real World ◽  
Standard English ◽  
The Real

‘The components of slang’ outlines the forms and etymological roots of slang and considers how the terms are validated. Slang offers no forms unique to itself. It borrows much of its lexis from standard English and employs similar methods of constructing it. The simplest, and most popular use is in varieties of combining, whether as phrases, compounds, or derivatives. Slang offers many agglomerations and it seems that once a pattern is accepted, all suggested combinations are justifiable. The role of synonymity within slang could be seen as a means of avoiding the real world by conjuring up an infinity of parallel terms or better ways of burrowing deeper inside it.

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