Multidimensional exploration into the building of global village, tourist identity, English language learning and tensions of space

This book makes a novel contribution to the sociolinguistics of globalization by examining language and social change in the tourism destination of West Street, Yangshuo, China. It explores the contingencies and tensions in the creation of a ‘global village’ and reveals ambivalent struggles inherent in this ongoing process of social change.

Shuang Gao works in the Department of English at the University of Liverpool, UK. Her research interests include sociolinguistics, globalization, identity and language ideology.

Shuang Gao works in the Department of English at the University of Liverpool, UK. Her research interests include sociolinguistics, globalization, identity and language ideology.

Yangshuo sets itself apart from other tourism destinations in the region by a focus on English. In addition to the usual tourism hedonism, Yangshuo promises tourists a chance to interact with foreigners and to speak English. This fascinating ethnography provides an intriguing perspective on the role of language in Yangshuo’s quest for modernity situated within the overall rise of China and its rapid socio-economic transformation.

Tourism and language learning are well-established as distinctive areas of investigation in sociolinguistics. What makes this book important is its identification of language learning tourism as an industry. Shuang Gao’s study of Yangshuo, China, provides important insights into the social dynamics between speakers, learners and business owners as they try to balance the goal of learning English with the desire to enjoy the region’s natural attractions.