The link between linguistic subordination and linguistic inferiority complexes: English as a second language migrants in Australia
Aims and objectives/purpose/research questions: This article aims to explore the link between linguistic subordination and linguistic inferiority complexes in the context of English as a second language (ESL) migrants in Australia. We address the following research questions: (a) To what extent and...
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| Format: | Journal Article |
| Language: | English |
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SAGE PUBLICATIONS LTD
2021
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| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | http://purl.org/au-research/grants/arc/DE180100118 http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11937/91497 |
| _version_ | 1848765530411892736 |
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| author | Tankosic, Ana Dryden, S. Dovchin, Sender |
| author_facet | Tankosic, Ana Dryden, S. Dovchin, Sender |
| author_sort | Tankosic, Ana |
| building | Curtin Institutional Repository |
| collection | Online Access |
| description | Aims and objectives/purpose/research questions: This article aims to explore the link between linguistic subordination and linguistic inferiority complexes in the context of English as a second language (ESL) migrants in Australia. We address the following research questions: (a) To what extent and how do ESL migrants in Australia suffer from linguistic subordination? (b) To what extent and how is this linguistic subordination linked to linguistic inferiority complexes for ESL-migrants in Australia? (c) What are the main social implications of the link between linguistic subordination and linguistic inferiority complexes for ESL migrants? Design/methodology/approach: The study involved the participation of 150 participants who were observed using linguistic ethnography. The participants engaged in interviews and focus group discussions so that we could explore the psychological consequences of linguistic subordination that they encountered. Data and analysis: The interviews and focus group discussions were transcribed and analysed with consideration to the context, as well as the participants’ utterances and paralanguage. The study followed alternative quality criteria. Findings/conclusions: Many ESL migrants in Australia face linguistic subordination for the way they speak English. Consequently, these migrants suffer from linguistic inferiority complexes – psychological and emotional damages, which result in self-marginalisation, self-vindication, loss of sense of belonging, social withdrawal, fear, anxiety and the erosion of self-confidence. We find that there is a direct link between linguistic subordination and linguistic inferiority complexes. Originality: This article addresses a gap that exists regarding the link between linguistic subordination and the development of linguistic inferiority complexes, discusses how this has real-life consequences for ESL migrants, and explores how this may be overcome. Significance/implications: ESL migrants need support so that they can cope with their experiences of linguistic subordination, thus helping them better deal with issues related to linguistic inferiority complexes. In addition, the broader society needs greater education on how their comments and actions can affect the wellbeing of others. |
| first_indexed | 2025-11-14T11:36:43Z |
| format | Journal Article |
| id | curtin-20.500.11937-91497 |
| institution | Curtin University Malaysia |
| institution_category | Local University |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2025-11-14T11:36:43Z |
| publishDate | 2021 |
| publisher | SAGE PUBLICATIONS LTD |
| recordtype | eprints |
| repository_type | Digital Repository |
| spelling | curtin-20.500.11937-914972023-05-09T06:06:12Z The link between linguistic subordination and linguistic inferiority complexes: English as a second language migrants in Australia Tankosic, Ana Dryden, S. Dovchin, Sender Social Sciences Linguistics Language & Linguistics Linguistic subordination linguistic inferiority complexes ESL migrants Australia RACIOLINGUISTIC IDEOLOGIES LANGUAGE ACCENT Aims and objectives/purpose/research questions: This article aims to explore the link between linguistic subordination and linguistic inferiority complexes in the context of English as a second language (ESL) migrants in Australia. We address the following research questions: (a) To what extent and how do ESL migrants in Australia suffer from linguistic subordination? (b) To what extent and how is this linguistic subordination linked to linguistic inferiority complexes for ESL-migrants in Australia? (c) What are the main social implications of the link between linguistic subordination and linguistic inferiority complexes for ESL migrants? Design/methodology/approach: The study involved the participation of 150 participants who were observed using linguistic ethnography. The participants engaged in interviews and focus group discussions so that we could explore the psychological consequences of linguistic subordination that they encountered. Data and analysis: The interviews and focus group discussions were transcribed and analysed with consideration to the context, as well as the participants’ utterances and paralanguage. The study followed alternative quality criteria. Findings/conclusions: Many ESL migrants in Australia face linguistic subordination for the way they speak English. Consequently, these migrants suffer from linguistic inferiority complexes – psychological and emotional damages, which result in self-marginalisation, self-vindication, loss of sense of belonging, social withdrawal, fear, anxiety and the erosion of self-confidence. We find that there is a direct link between linguistic subordination and linguistic inferiority complexes. Originality: This article addresses a gap that exists regarding the link between linguistic subordination and the development of linguistic inferiority complexes, discusses how this has real-life consequences for ESL migrants, and explores how this may be overcome. Significance/implications: ESL migrants need support so that they can cope with their experiences of linguistic subordination, thus helping them better deal with issues related to linguistic inferiority complexes. In addition, the broader society needs greater education on how their comments and actions can affect the wellbeing of others. 2021 Journal Article http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11937/91497 10.1177/13670069211035561 English http://purl.org/au-research/grants/arc/DE180100118 SAGE PUBLICATIONS LTD fulltext |
| spellingShingle | Social Sciences Linguistics Language & Linguistics Linguistic subordination linguistic inferiority complexes ESL migrants Australia RACIOLINGUISTIC IDEOLOGIES LANGUAGE ACCENT Tankosic, Ana Dryden, S. Dovchin, Sender The link between linguistic subordination and linguistic inferiority complexes: English as a second language migrants in Australia |
| title | The link between linguistic subordination and linguistic inferiority complexes: English as a second language migrants in Australia |
| title_full | The link between linguistic subordination and linguistic inferiority complexes: English as a second language migrants in Australia |
| title_fullStr | The link between linguistic subordination and linguistic inferiority complexes: English as a second language migrants in Australia |
| title_full_unstemmed | The link between linguistic subordination and linguistic inferiority complexes: English as a second language migrants in Australia |
| title_short | The link between linguistic subordination and linguistic inferiority complexes: English as a second language migrants in Australia |
| title_sort | link between linguistic subordination and linguistic inferiority complexes: english as a second language migrants in australia |
| topic | Social Sciences Linguistics Language & Linguistics Linguistic subordination linguistic inferiority complexes ESL migrants Australia RACIOLINGUISTIC IDEOLOGIES LANGUAGE ACCENT |
| url | http://purl.org/au-research/grants/arc/DE180100118 http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11937/91497 |