Who’s Afraid of the Fluidity in Language?: Can the Trans-Subaltern Speak?

Abstract

ABSTRACT: In this article, public space is not considered neutral, but an arena where meanings are contested and also negotiated. Thus, we defend that Linguistic Landscapes (LL) can be used as an educational tool for language learning and for interpreting political and social issues ( SHOHAMY; GORTER, 2009, p. 9). Therefore, based upon language studies, visual literacies, aesthetics, politics and social inclusion, we call for a redefinition of the process of translanguaging and look for an understanding of this process beyond bilingualism and multilingualism. We defend the need to expand our understanding of translanguaging and situate it also within named and “bounded” languages. In order to tackle translanguaging and gender inclusive language, each section starts with the problematization of one or more Linguistic Landscape(s) from two contexts: The University of São Paulo or the city of São Paulo and we discuss the concepts of Différance and the trans-subaltern, the epistemic and violent representation of the Other, and how the concepts of Police and Politics ( RANCIÈRE, 2004 ; 2010) hugely influence the aesthetics and meaning-making of translanguages and trans-bodies.

Keywords

• linguistic landscapes
• gender inclusive language
• trans-subaltern bodies
• translanguaging
• language education