Thinking (and doing) otherwise with the language of los hermanos

Spanish in research and language policy in Brazil

Abstract

hinking (and doing) otherwise has always been our option as researchers interested in the Spanish language in Brazil – a language which does not occupy a prestigious place in the academic setting, despite being the official language in most of Latin America. In addition, the Spanish language has a representation of being a language of the white people, when it is also an expression of the indigenous and Black peoples. This article sets out by reflecting on the representation of discourses and actions that are in the North or in the South, understood as spaces of power that name people and languages, but closes the discussion stating that the Spanish language is neither homogeneous nor hegemonic. Interculturality is the epistemological basis of the discussion, but it is herein used consistent with debates literally located in the South, which provide for research in Applied Linguistics that is in tune with decolonial projects. To reinforce the proposal’s visibility, this article presents some results of intercultural research, which are built on two aspects that prove the way of thinking (and doing) otherwise: Spanish as a language of immigrants and black people.