English and National Identity 46 th IATEFL Annual Conference Glasgow March 2012 Dr. Nada Sid Ahmed El jack Sudan University of Science and Technology College of Languages Department of English

Contents of the Presentation Creating a new national identity in the RSS. Creating a new national identity in the RSS. Re-shaping a new national identity in the RS. Re-shaping a new national identity in the RS. The impact of English on national identity construction in learners (A Case Study). The impact of English on national identity construction in learners (A Case Study).

Major Questions That Need Answers: The global impact of English. Global educational status of English in the Sudan.

English and local Sudanese languages. Sudanese English. The man in the street.

English and particular fields in Sudan. Sudanese policy makers, applied linguists, and educators.

RSS Dinka, Nuer, Shiluk, Zandi and Bari (65%of the population). Dinka, Nuer, Shiluk, Zandi and Bari (65%of the population). 50 mother tongues present. 50 mother tongues present. Local languages, different varieties of Arabic and English ( mid1990s). Local languages, different varieties of Arabic and English ( mid1990s).

The Constitution of the Republic of South Sudan (CRSS) (2011) Indigenous languages Indigenous languages English language English language Arabic language Arabic language

Expectations of the Role of English in the RSS Common means of communication for southerners The language of freedom and unit. A gateway to social, economic and political prosperity

Strengthening regional ties and trade within the EAC Re-shaping the national identity for southerners To gain both individual and social empowerment

Juba Arabic, mother tongues and English Language of business

RS Examining the Potentiality of SPINE 3 Objectives of the study Objectives of the study Methodology Methodology

Dimensions of National Identity Psychological Cultural Territorial Historica l Political

(Summary of Results): Techniques Utilized by the Authors Topics of interestTopics of interest What they avoidedWhat they avoided Short textsShort texts VarietyVariety ‘Great Men and Women’‘Great Men and Women’ National institutionsNational institutions

Dimensions of National & Ethnic Identity

Recommendations Develop the sense of inclusion Develop the sense of inclusion A marker both of education and modernity A marker both of education and modernity Spread the culture of difference and hybridity Spread the culture of difference and hybridity

Indigenous cultures and knowledge Indigenous cultures and knowledge Food, traditions, names, etc. Food, traditions, names, etc. Live in peace and tolerance Live in peace and tolerance How and why to respect the other How and why to respect the other

A sense of ethnic tolerance and acceptance of the other A sense of ethnic tolerance and acceptance of the other A peaceful co-existence among different groups A peaceful co-existence among different groups A redefinition of the Sudanese national identity A redefinition of the Sudanese national identity

References: Smith, A.D. (1991) National Identity University of Nevada Press: USA Smith, A.D. (1991) National Identity University of Nevada Press: USA Guibernau, B. M. (2007) The Identity of Nations Polity: Cambridge Guibernau, B. M. (2007) The Identity of Nations Polity: Cambridge El Jack, N.S.A (2011) Construction of National Identity in the Sudan:A Critical Discourse Analysis (CDA) Study of the Arabic Language School Textbooks at the Basic Level. Unpublished Ph.D Thesis: SUST El Jack, N.S.A (2011) Construction of National Identity in the Sudan:A Critical Discourse Analysis (CDA) Study of the Arabic Language School Textbooks at the Basic Level. Unpublished Ph.D Thesis: SUST