Dreams of (Under)Achievement: A Critical Metaphor Analysis of the American Dream
and the Formation of Language Policy in Arizona
Eric Johnson
Arizona State University
In this era of heightened xenophobia, it is important to look beyond the daily avalanche of negative media
and consider why there is such widespread fear of foreigners. In an attempt to understand such an immense
problem, the current situation of immigrant and language-minority students in Arizona will be discussed.
Understanding how communities are shaped through the implementation of language policies illuminates
the social processes involved in the cultural and linguistic oppression of minoritized groups. Specifically,
the pervasive metaphor of the American Dream will be analyzed as a tool to promote anti-immigrant policies
within the media. While this study sketches out the relationship between language ideologies and education, Fauconnier’s (1997) approach to metaphor analysis is applied to uncover the semantic foundation of
the American Dream. This alternative view of the American Dream highlights the physical and structural
obstacles that are frequently brushed over in the media during discussions concerning immigrants.
Introduction
The intersection of education and language
policy has produced one of the most contentious
debates throughout the U.S. in recent years. In
2000, the Arizona Proposition 203 campaign gained
overwhelming public approval by claiming that
Arizona’s bilingual education programs impeded
English acquisition by language-minority students.
Currently, language-minority students in Arizona are
placed into sheltered English immersion classes for
a period not normally intended to exceed one year
before being mainstreamed into the regular education
(i.e., all English) classroom. Established within a
context of educational apathy and social antipathy,
it is necessary to look at the impetus for language
policies like Proposition 203 and the strategies... [continues]
and the Formation of Language Policy in Arizona
Eric Johnson
Arizona State University
In this era of heightened xenophobia, it is important to look beyond the daily avalanche of negative media
and consider why there is such widespread fear of foreigners. In an attempt to understand such an immense
problem, the current situation of immigrant and language-minority students in Arizona will be discussed.
Understanding how communities are shaped through the implementation of language policies illuminates
the social processes involved in the cultural and linguistic oppression of minoritized groups. Specifically,
the pervasive metaphor of the American Dream will be analyzed as a tool to promote anti-immigrant policies
within the media. While this study sketches out the relationship between language ideologies and education, Fauconnier’s (1997) approach to metaphor analysis is applied to uncover the semantic foundation of
the American Dream. This alternative view of the American Dream highlights the physical and structural
obstacles that are frequently brushed over in the media during discussions concerning immigrants.
Introduction
The intersection of education and language
policy has produced one of the most contentious
debates throughout the U.S. in recent years. In
2000, the Arizona Proposition 203 campaign gained
overwhelming public approval by claiming that
Arizona’s bilingual education programs impeded
English acquisition by language-minority students.
Currently, language-minority students in Arizona are
placed into sheltered English immersion classes for
a period not normally intended to exceed one year
before being mainstreamed into the regular education
(i.e., all English) classroom. Established within a
context of educational apathy and social antipathy,
it is necessary to look at the impetus for language
policies like Proposition 203 and the strategies... [continues]
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(2013, 02). Dreams of Achievement: a Critical Metaphor Analysis of the American Dream. StudyMode.com. Retrieved 02, 2013, from http://www.studymode.com/essays/Dreams-Of-Achievement-A-Critical-Metaphor-1444358.html
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"Dreams of Achievement: a Critical Metaphor Analysis of the American Dream." StudyMode.com. 02, 2013. Accessed 02, 2013. http://www.studymode.com/essays/Dreams-Of-Achievement-A-Critical-Metaphor-1444358.html.
