Autoethnographic Explorations of Lived Raciolinguistic Experiences Among Multilingual Scholars: Looking Inward to Move Forward

by Qianqian Zhang-Wu (Editor), Bridget Goodman (Editor)

Overview

While substantial research has looked backward at the colonial history of language and forward to the potential of decolonizing English for linguistic justice, there is a lack of investigation looking inward at the lived raciolinguistic experiences of multilingual scholars. This edited collection opens a healing space for storytelling and deepens readers' understanding of raciolinguistics in practice through autoethnography. The book brings together language education researchers and scholars, with each author representing and in contact with multiple cultural, linguistic and ethnic backgrounds. Together they create a community of practice to bring scholars with diverse backgrounds together for inward reflections on their lived raciolinguistic experiences. Through this journey, the book empowers both the chapter contributors and readers and allies who may see themselves in the stories to reflect, learn and change their practices, and provides valuable insights into raciolinguistics and autoethnography as a research method.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781800417298
Publisher:	Channel View Publications
Publication date:	04/15/2025
Series:	Critical Language and Literacy Studies , #32
Pages:	270
Product dimensions:	5.85(w) x 8.25(h) x 0.55(d)

About the Author

Qianqian Zhang-Wu is Assistant Professor of English & Director of Multilingual Writing, Northeastern University, USA. She is the author of Languaging Myths and Realities: Journeys of Chinese International Students (Multilingual Matters, 2022) which won the 2022 CIES Study Abroad and International Students SIG Best Book Award, 2023 CCCC Research Impact Award and 2023 CCCC Advancement of Knowledge Award Honorable Mention.

Bridget Goodman is Associate Professor of Multilingual Education, Graduate School of Education, Nazarbayev University, Astana, Kazakhstan. She is co-editor of Researching Multilingually: Conceptual and Methodological Failures, Struggles and Successes (Multilingual Matters, 2025, with Brian Seilstad).

Table of Contents

Contributors

Foreword

Part 1: Introduction

Chapter 1. Qianqian Zhang-Wu and Bridget Goodman: Looking Inward Through Autoethnographies

Part 2: Navigating Transitions

Chapter 2. Xiaoye You: Writing the Transnational Racial Subject

Chapter 3. Qianqian Zhang-Wu: 'I don’t know English Department now offers CHINESE writing classes!': Raciolinguistic Struggles of a Chinese Woman Working as an English Professor in the US

Chapter 4. Bolormaa Shinjee: 'Did You Bring My Lunch, Beautiful'? Self-Reflection of a Female Academic from the Global South

Part 3: Reclaiming Identity

Chapter 5. Renata Love Jones: Yonder’s Endarkened Pedagogies

Chapter 6. Jung Kim: 'Jung like Jungle': (Re)Claiming Names and Languages

Chapter 7. Ellen Cushman: Unsettling Raciolinguistics: Reclaiming Indigenous Language Practices

Chapter 8. Nariman Amantayev: Autoethnographic Inquiry into Raciolinguistic Ideology within the Same Ethnicity and an Invitation to Reconsider Kazakh Language Teaching Practices

Part 4: Self-Positioning as Researchers

Chapter 9. Sibonile Mpendukana and Miché Thompson: Embodied Moments of Racialisation in Research

Chapter 10. Ming-Hsuan Wu and Genevieve Leung: Legitimately Occupying Peripheral 'Asian' and 'American' Spaces: A Dialogue Between Two Language Teaching Professionals

Chapter 11. Anna Becker: 'You Sound Like from the CD' – An Autoethnographic Narrative about 'Multilingual' Teaching and Research in 'Multilingual' Switzerland

Chapter 12. Bridget Goodman: Shades of Beige? One White Scholar’s Imperfect(ive) Quest for Racial and Linguistic Justice

Part 5: Reflection Through Writing

Chapter 13. Shreya Sangai: English Departments Here and There: Rebuke and Mistrust, Compassion and Rebuilding

Chapter 14. Sandro Barros: Brazilian Landscape with Rain: On the Languaged Brown Body Below the Equator

Chapter 15. Jeannette D. Alarcón: Walking a Raciolinguistic Path Con Mi Abuela

Part 6: Conclusion

Chapter 16. Bridget Goodman and Qianqian Zhang-Wu: From Looking Inward to Looking Forward

Index

What People are Saying About This

Wayne E. Wright

I appreciate the opportunity this book provided to actively listen to the lived and often traumatic raciolinguistic experiences of multilingual international scholars who courageously share their powerful stories through authoethnographic methodologies. Their stories and scholarship remind us that we have much work to do in our teaching, research, publishing, and everyday interactions to disrupt raciolinguistic ideologies.

Editorial Reviews

I appreciate the opportunity this book provided to actively listen to the lived and often traumatic raciolinguistic experiences of multilingual international scholars who courageously share their powerful stories through autoethnographic methodologies. Their stories and scholarship remind us that we have much work to do in our teaching, research, publishing, and everyday interactions to disrupt raciolinguistic ideologies.

Wayne E. Wright

This volume offers a powerful yet deeply personal look into the lived raciolinguistic experiences of multilingual scholars. Not only does it subvert dominant narratives, but it also empowers readers to embrace their linguistic identities. Essential reading for anyone committed to dismantling linguistic oppression and fostering equity in academia.

Sender Dovchin

This book illustrates how the raciolinguistic memories of multilingual scholars can be powerfully mobilized through autoethnography. By looking inward, the contributors also shed light on how individuals can overcome vulnerability and discomfort to strike a path forward for themselves and their allies. Essential reading for teachers, teacher educators, and researchers.

Peter I. De Costa