Words and Worlds: New Directions for Sustainability Literacy

[Khaled Islaih]

Hi,   Words and Worlds is a relatively new article published by Language and Ecology Online Journal. The article explores the dialectical interconnectedness between language (discourse) and sustainability within any social setting (including family and the larger society).   The author of the article suggests that the awareness of this deep interconnectedness has the potential to help us understand the ways society is structured (reading the society) and contribute to the transformations necessary for our society to become more sustainable (writing society). All in all,  it seems that language use (our individual words and collective discourse) plays  an important role in shaping us, defining our future and contructing the living world around us. . Happy new year, Khaled Here is the summary of this valuable article: "Sustainability Literacy is a term which is usually used metaphorically to refer to the knowledge and skills necessary to contribute to a more sustainable society. This paper takes the term literally, describing an approach to sustainability literacy based on the powerful role that language plays in forming social structures, and the consequent impact of those structures on the sustainability of the society. The approach has already been put into practice in the Language and Ecology course taught at the University of Gloucestershire, which was highly commended in the Green Gown awards (2007) for its contribution to education for sustainability. The paper describes the theoretical approach to sustainability literacy the course is based on, some details of the course itself, and the reaction of students. The conclusion is that an approach to Sustainability Literacy based on critical awareness of discursive construction has potential to help students understand the ways that society is structured (reading the society) and contribute to the transformations necessary for society to become more sustainable (writing the society)." The full article is available on this link: http://www.ecoling.net/sustainability_literacy.pdf Khaled A. Islaih Community Developer, Freelance Writer and Intercultural Speaker Innovation - Collaboration - Transformation Email: in...@khaledislaih.com Web: www.khaledislaih.com Blog:  Community Conversations Social Web:  Facebook  and LinkedIn  Follow me on Twitter