The language of nature in Lao textbooks: An ecolinguistics perspective

This study questions the presentation of nature in Lao textbooks from an ecolinguistic perspective, drawing on Arran Stibbe. The “stories we live by,” as they are evident in the texts, inform this framework. The research project is based on the assumption that language in textbooks functions not only as a transmitter of grammar but also of ideologies and cultural norms concerning nature/human relations. The analysis is conducted in line with Stibbe’s approach and pays specific attention to framing, metaphors, evaluations, and erasure. The content comprises stories and poems from Lao textbooks and is divided into two sections: "bad" (destructive) stories that promote consumerism and "good" (reconstructive) stories that focus on conservation. Results reveal that “useful stories” constitute a dominant part of Lao textbooks. These texts use language that emphasizes a spiritual relationship with the natural world and prescribes sustainable forms of agricultural production, representing nature as more than a mere resource but also as a cultural space and a moral lesson. However, some of the "erasure" has another side, and it is anthropocentric (humanist) as well. In general, the interactions portrayed in most textbooks are harmonious, fostering ecological perception and shaping learners' identities as beings of nature. In the spirit of Stibbe, Lao language textbooks are identified as mechanisms for ‘growing’ a relationship with the environment. Learning from these stories will help educators develop content that strikes a balance among humanity, nature, and the planet.