A language justice framework for culturally responsive and equitable evaluation

This paper proposes an evaluation framework focusing on the importance of language justice, especially concerning practitioners of culturally responsive and equitable evaluation.

The paper defines language justice "as the right to communicate in the language in which one feels most comfortable".

The paper begins with an overview of language in the evaluation literature and discusses language, power, and language justice. The authors then set out three principles and discuss how these principles might be integrated into evaluation practice. The three principles are:

  • Principle 1: Language justice is integral to social justice
  • Principle 2: Language is a tool for transforming thinking and empowering action
  • Principle 3: multilingual spaces embrace every perspective

Sources

Ghanbarpour, S., Noguez Mercado, A. P., & Palotai, A. (2020). A language justice framework for culturally responsive and equitable evaluation. In L. C. Neubauer, D. McBride, A. D. Guajardo, W. D. Casillas, & M. E. Hall (Eds.), Examining Issues Facing Communities of Color Today: The Role of Evaluation to Incite Change. New Directions for Evaluation, 166, 37–47.