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The language of friendship and identity : children's communication choices in an interfaith exchange

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Ipgrave, Julia. (2009) The language of friendship and identity : children's communication choices in an interfaith exchange. British Journal of Religious Education, Vol.31 (No.3). pp. 213-225. ISSN 0141-6200

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Official URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/01416200903112292

Abstract

The development of partnerships between schools and school children of different religious and cultural backgrounds is currently being promoted at national level in an attempt to encourage social cohesion in ethnically and religiously diverse societies. This article reports on one such partnership, a programme of email communication between children from primary schools in Leicester and East Sussex. It uses concepts of presence and space to analyse the different linguistic and paralinguistic devices children employ to construct their identities as friends and as representatives of their communities, and to project these identities across a cultural divide. Evaluation of the children's language choices identifies tensions and limitations as well as possibilities. The article makes use of Derrida's deconstruction of hospitality as it questions a too ready adoption of the discourse of friendship for children's intercultural encounter, and suggests that the development of a more sophisticated language of interest, politeness and respect provides them with a firmer foundation for positive and productive dialogue with religious difference.

Item Type:	Journal Article
Subjects:	B Philosophy. Psychology. Religion > BV Practical Theology > BV1460 Religious Education H Social Sciences > HT Communities. Classes. Races B Philosophy. Psychology. Religion > BF Psychology
Divisions:	Faculty of Social Sciences > Institute of Education
Library of Congress Subject Headings (LCSH):	Children -- Language, Children -- Religious life -- Great Britain, Friendship in children -- Great Britain, Cultural pluralism -- Great Britain, Interpersonal communication in children -- Great Britain
Journal or Publication Title:	British Journal of Religious Education
Publisher:	Routledge
ISSN:	0141-6200
Date:	September 2009
Volume:	Vol.31
Number:	No.3
Number of Pages:	13
Page Range:	pp. 213-225
Identification Number:	10.1080/01416200903112292
Status:	Peer Reviewed
Access rights to Published version:	Restricted or Subscription Access
References:	Coles, M. (2006) Faith and Cohesion Project Leicester: The Institute of Community Cohesion [unpublished report] Derrida, J. (2000) “Hostipitality” trans. Stocker, B. & Morlock, F. Angelaki: Journal of the Theoretical Humanities 5: 3, 2000 pp3-18 London: Taylor & Francis Garrison, R. & Anderson, T. (2003) E-Learning in the 21st Century: A framework for research and practice London: Routledge Hatch, B. (2006) Diversity and Dialogue: Building better understanding between young people living in a multi-faith society London: Save the Children Fund Ipgrave, J. (2003) Building E-Bridges: Inter Faith Dialogue by Email Birmingham: Christian Education Publications Ipgrave, J. & McKenna, U. (2007) „Values and Purposes: Teacher Perspectives on the “Building E-Bridges” Project for Inter Faith Dialogue between Children across the UK‟ in Heimbrock, H-G. & Bakker, C. (eds) Researching RE Teachers. RE Teachers as Researchers Münster: Waxmann Jackson, R. (2004) Rethinking Religious Education ands Plurality: Issues in Diversity and Pedagogy London: RoutledgeFalmer McKenna, U., Ipgrave, J. & Jackson, R. (2008) Inter Faith Dialogue by Email in Primary Schools: An Evaluation of the Building E-Bridges Project Münster: Waxmann
URI:	http://wrap.warwick.ac.uk/id/eprint/3010