This study interrogates the role of English in the linguistic landscape and lived experiences of working-class individuals in the Philippines, highlighting its implications for Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI). Using an indigenous, culturally sensitive methodology grounded in Sikolohiyang Pilipino (Pe-Pua & Protacio-Marcelino, 2000), the research examines how linguistic imperialism manifests in everyday life.
Findings reveal that while English is perceived as a critical pathway to socioeconomic mobility, its dominance also perpetuates exclusionary structures that constrain access to employment and education. Participants articulate how limited English proficiency limits their opportunities, yet their narratives reflect an internalized belief in English as an aspirational necessity rather than a systemic barrier. These insights underscore how linguistic hierarchies reinforce broader inequalities, making language a key site for both privilege and marginalization.
Drawing on Phillipson’s (2008) linguistic imperialism and Gramsci’s (1971) cultural hegemony, this study situates language within the broader discourse of EDI by demonstrating how linguistic power dynamics shape access to resources and opportunities. The paper argues for a critical reassessment of language policies and pedagogical approaches that, often inadvertently, reinforce linguistic inequities. By centring the voices of those most affected, this research contributes to a more inclusive and equitable understanding of linguistic diversity and the urgent need to decolonize language practices in postcolonial societies.
References
Gramsci, A. (1971). Selections from the Prison Notebooks. Edited and translated by Quintin
Hoare & Geoffrey Nowell-Smith. London: Lawrence & Wishart.
Pe-Pua, R., & Protacio-Marcelino, E. a. (2000). Sikolohiyang Pilipino (Filipino psychology): A legacy of Virgilio G. Enriquez. Asian Journal of Social Psychology, 3, 49–71. https://doi.org/10.1111/1467-839X.00054
Phillipson, R. (2008). The Linguistic Imperialism of Neoliberal Empire 1 . Critical Inquiry in Language Studies, 5(1), 1–43. https://doi.org/10.1080/15427580701696886
Citation
Victoria, M. (2025, May). Linguistic Imperialism and Socioeconomic Inequality: An EDI Perspective on English in the Philippines' Linguistic Landscape. Paper presented at ENclusion Conference: Connecting EDI Research and Action at and by ENU, Edinburgh Napier University
Presentation Conference Type
Conference Paper (unpublished)
Conference Name
ENclusion Conference: Connecting EDI Research and Action at and by ENU
Start Date
May 23, 2025
End Date
May 23, 2025
Acceptance Date
May 23, 2025
Deposit Date
May 23, 2025
Peer Reviewed
Not Peer Reviewed
Keywords
Linguistic imperialism, Socioeconomic inequality, linguicism
