My initial attraction to the field of linguistics stemmed from my interest in second
language acquisition and rediscovering my cultural identity as an Asian American adoptee.
Having reached competency in Mandarin in my late twenties, I was curious about the processes
behind my own acquisition in comparison to other learners’. As I progressed further into
Portland State University’s undergraduate program of Applied Linguistics, I became aware of
the dichotomy between markedness and privilege in the realm of multilingualism. Understanding
that power dynamics influence the narratives and perspectives of language speakers shifted my
curiosity further into the realm of critical discourse analysis.
PSU’s Applied Linguistics program instilled within me an awareness of the influence of
hegemony over language practices. An important figure of research in my undergraduate studies
was Peter Teo and his article Racism in the News: A Critical Discourse Analysis of News
Reporting in Two Australian Newspapers (2000), which exemplified the application of linguistic
frameworks towards addressing both explicit and subtle racism against Asians in Australian
printed news media. Teo’s use of linguistic frameworks to challenge racism has influenced my
goal to help unpack and shift the mainstream narratives that have objectified and endangered
Asian Americans. CDA helped me realize applied linguistics can solve problems and work
towards a progressive outcome through cross-disciplinary measures both within and beyond the
scope of linguistics.
As an undergraduate student and now as an MA student I have had the opportunity to
contribute to several research projects within PSU’s Department of Applied Linguistics. Having
been able to acquire research experience within the field of Applied Linguistics has continued to
fuel my passion for applying my knowledge to critical linguistic issues.
I am very grateful to be able to receive the Nattinger Fellowship. This fellowship will
allow me to contribute to the field of Applied Linguistics with my research and critical analyses
of anti-Asian discourse in American news media in hopes of creating more awareness and
change through research. Within the last three two years, 2020-2022 there has been an
unprecedented spike in anti-Asian hate crimes. Such crimes have been rooted in language and
power. Therefore, it’s imperative that such an under-researched and “novel” issue is critically
analyzed.