Solitary Reapers: Reading Cultural Interjections in a London School

Abstract

This essay explores the problematic nature of an enforced monolingual culture promoted by the current Conservative-led UK government. It comments upon the paradoxical nature of the 2014 curriculum that promotes heritage texts and ‘proper’ English, when such poets embraced a Bakhtinian tolerance of languages. It focuses primarily upon the social relationships fostered with a Year 10 class by a new teacher within the English department in North London school. It questions the rejection of the Bullock Report and explores the importance of culture and linguistic interjections in pupils’ negotiation of meaning in and outside the classroom.

Keywords:

• crossing
• language use
• multiculturalism
• National Curriculum
• social relations in the classroom

Notes

1. All names have been changed to culturally appropriate pseudonyms.

2. Wallahi (والله), is an Arabic term meaning ‘I swear by Allah’. It is usually used to give weight or credibility to an exclamation.

3. जी in Hindi or in جی Urdu is a respectful means of saying ‘yes’ it can also be used as a suffix to denote respect for a person.

4.  عاشوراء is the Shia Muslim day of mourning to mark the death of Husayn ibn Ali, the grandson of The Prophet عليه السلام, however this day is marked by Sunni Muslims as a Day of Atonement whereby they celebrate the release of the Israelites by the Pharaoh of Egypt.

5. السلام عليكم ورحمة الله is the usual greeting in Arabic, usually shared between Muslims, meaning may the peace and blessings of Allah be with you. According to Islamic etiquette it is expected that anyone who enters a gathering should greet others with this. According to Pakistani culture, it is the duty of the young to greet the elders with this to demarcate respect.

6. خُدا حافِظ is a Persian/Urdu greeting meaning may God be your guardian. Unlike the Salaam, it omits the word ‘Allah’ and is considered to be a more secular response.