The power of English in Indonesian popular texts

The aim of this study is to unpack language use in contemporary Indonesia with special reference to English. To this end, I analyze the symbolic power of English as reflected in popular texts published after 1998, a... [ view full abstract ]

The aim of this study is to unpack language use in contemporary Indonesia with special reference to English. To this end, I analyze the symbolic power of English as reflected in popular texts published after 1998, a critical year for Indonesia, as a nation, and unpack the metalinguistic discourse of English in these texts as it simultaneously resonates with and reinforces a communal sociolinguistic reality: the concerns and fear experienced by many Indonesians when learning English. Using a discourse analysis and interpretive textual analysis, I demonstrate that popular texts can serve as effective sociolinguistic resources. These texts enable readers or viewers to connect with, relate to, and view the characters’ struggles, efforts, and achievements—while simultaneously building awareness of accessibility and inequity issues in relation to English acquisition and mastery.