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This article picked by a teacher with suggested questions is part of the Financial Times free schools access programme. Details/registration here.

Specification:

IB DP TOK themes & AOKs Language, History, Knowledge & the knower, Human sciences

Relevant BQ Values, Perspectives

Key terms and ideas Enforced use, Exclusionary, Unconscious triggering

Investigating Issues  Language & identity

Exhibition prompt IAP-24 (context)

Click to read the article below, study the images and then answer the questions:

Ryanair forces South African customers to prove ID with Afrikaans test

  • It is easier to ‘be yourself’ in your first language, or a second language (if you have one)?

  • What have South African passengers been asked to do when travelling on Ryanair flights, and why?

  • Why has this ‘unconsciously triggered’ reactions from many passengers?

  • What does it reveal about the importance of being culturally aware, and having an understanding of history?

  • What does the article indicate about the role language plays in determining our identities, and the consequences of cultural insensitivity?

Michael Dunn, theoryofknowledge.net

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