Linguistics and race: An interdisciplinary approach towards an LSA statement on race

Abstract

In order to work towards greater racial justice within linguistics, the challenge remains for linguists to develop a cohesive theory of and approach to race and racial analysis in linguistics that is influenced by researchers of different methodological approaches and racial backgrounds. A formal LSA statement on race will provide linguistic researchers with a framework for studying race and will also serve as a method of intellectual and social inclusion in linguistics. We draw on interdisciplinary expertise in related fields, including psychology, sociology, anthropology, education, and ethnic studies, to examine how scholars from >neighboring disciplines have formally conceptualized and dealt with race and racial classification strategies. Points of convergence as well as divergence are articulated, drawing insights that may advance work related to race within and beyond linguistics.

Transcriptivism: An ethical framework for modern linguistics

“…Another instance in which issues of moral responsibility have been tentatively explore, Charity Hudley et al (2018) argue that the broad definitions of race that have been used in linguistics over the past 50 years are underdeveloped and unsuited for contemporary research, going on to affirm the necessity for an LSA statement on race. The authors go on to state that "As a predominantly white discipline rooted in a liberal, Boasian rejection of scientific racism, linguistics struggles to confront its role in reproducing racism" (6).…”

“…This is perhaps what differentiates the two moral projects outlined in the previous section. While Charity Hudley et al (2018) largely limit their recommendations to ways in which systems maintaining and supporting racialized ideologies may be addressed in the field, Rickford and King's (2016) recommended solutions are much more explicitly outward oriented, focusing on how linguists may benefit society and aid in resisting racialized linguistic injustices. The former is motivated towards discipline internal moral questions, and the latter is motivated towards discipline external moral obligations.…”

“…Yet, there has been a growing number of linguists who have considered issues of linguistic morality, or perhaps linguistic justice, in their own research to at least a marginal degree. These approaches have criticized what populations are centralized in research practices, attempted to integrate intersectional approaches to language into their methodology, or have considered the effects of oppressive institutions on identityconstruction through language (Charity Hudley et al 2018, Kiesling 2018, Barrett 2017, Blau 2017, Rickford and King 2016, Levon 2016, Kubanyiova 2008, Lippi-Green 1997. Nonetheless, these approaches to varying degrees have set consideration of moral obligation to the side or avoided the topic altogether.…”

“…Essentially, linguistic nonviolence cannot convincingly extricate itself from the same systems of violence that it attempts to resist. Furthermore, as was detailed earlier, recent contributions to this line of inquiry have offered solutions to both internal and external moral questions -as well as racialized forms of linguistic violence, both as a matter of language and of linguistics as a discipline -and have considered the effects of these proposals beyond the academic institution (Rickford & King 2016, Charity Hudley et al 2018). Yet, how to generalize a principle of linguistic disarmament, as a counter to linguistic violence, remains a problem for any linguistic moral framework.…”

Variation, race, and multiracial identity in linguistic research

“…As public discussion and awareness of the limitations of these traditional ideas about race and ethnicity expand, linguistics (along with other social sciences) will increasingly have to decide how it wants to address the modern changing racial and social landscape in research. To this end, there have recently been increased calls for the field of linguistics to improve its definitions of race in much the same way as other fields have done (Charity Hudley & Mallinson, ). For example, the American Anthropological Association, the American Sociological Association, and others have issued statements on behalf of their professional organizations regarding how they conceptualize of and discuss race (American Anthropological Association, , p. 384; American Sociological Association, ).…”