Gender, Neoliberalism and Distinction through Linguistic Capital

Download or read book Gender, Neoliberalism and Distinction through Linguistic Capital written by Mark Fifer Seilhamer and published by Multilingual Matters. This book was released on 2019-03-06 with total page 209 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This book presents the narratives of four Taiwanese young women, all proficient in English, set against the background of the dynamics of multilingualism in Taiwan. It chronicles their strategies and struggles when utilizing cultural goods – in this case their linguistic resources – to differentiate themselves within Taiwanese society. The study provides a uniquely bottom-up perspective by focusing intently on just four focal participants, in order to gain an in-depth understanding of how the intersection of socioeconomic status, age and gender shape their identities, experiences and practices. The book highlights the impact of neoliberalism on the women’s attempts at distinction and is a timely contribution to debates on multilingualism and issues of gender and socioeconomic status.