What is jane hill?

Jane Hill is a renowned linguistic anthropologist known for her extensive work on language ideologies, multilingualism, and linguistic inequality, particularly in the context of indigenous languages in the Americas.

Her research often focuses on the ways that societal beliefs and attitudes about language impact social justice and power dynamics. She is particularly interested in how dominant languages and language practices can marginalize and disadvantage speakers of less prestigious or indigenous languages.

Key areas of her work include:

  • Language Ideologies: Hill examines the underlying beliefs and values that shape how people perceive and use language. She explores how these ideologies contribute to the maintenance of social hierarchies. Language Ideologies

  • Linguistic Inequality: Her research highlights the ways in which language differences are often used to justify social and economic disparities. Linguistic Inequality

  • Language Endangerment: Hill has investigated the social and cultural factors contributing to the decline and loss of indigenous languages, particularly in Mexico and the United States. Language Endangerment

  • Mock Spanish: She coined the term "Mock Spanish" to describe the use of Spanish words and phrases by English speakers in ways that often reinforce negative stereotypes about Latino/a people. Mock Spanish

Hill's work has been influential in shaping our understanding of the complex relationship between language, power, and identity.