TY - JOUR
T1 - The language of poverty
T2 - An exploration of the narratives of the poor
AU - Misturelli, Federica
AU - Heffernan, Claire
PY - 2011/5
Y1 - 2011/5
N2 - Within the development discourse, the narratives of the poor are a well utilized rhetorical tool to describe poverty and its causes. However, narratives can also reveal the beliefs and 'world-view' of the narrators. To explore this influence, the authors applied a discursive approach, to deconstruct the narratives of 101slum dwellers in Kibera, Nairobi. The results revealed that poverty was largely attributed to external constraints, beyond an individual's control. Despite wanting a better life, participants held low expectations for the future. Hopes and dreams were placed on their children. While risk and uncertainty was a constant theme, large differences were found between genders as to the aspirations for the future.
AB - Within the development discourse, the narratives of the poor are a well utilized rhetorical tool to describe poverty and its causes. However, narratives can also reveal the beliefs and 'world-view' of the narrators. To explore this influence, the authors applied a discursive approach, to deconstruct the narratives of 101slum dwellers in Kibera, Nairobi. The results revealed that poverty was largely attributed to external constraints, beyond an individual's control. Despite wanting a better life, participants held low expectations for the future. Hopes and dreams were placed on their children. While risk and uncertainty was a constant theme, large differences were found between genders as to the aspirations for the future.
KW - Discourse analysis
KW - Language
KW - Narratives
KW - Poor livestock keepers
KW - Urban poverty
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=79957551666&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1002/sd.437
DO - 10.1002/sd.437
M3 - Article (Academic Journal)
AN - SCOPUS:79957551666
SN - 0968-0802
VL - 19
SP - 206
EP - 222
JO - Sustainable Development
JF - Sustainable Development
IS - 3
ER -