Philologia @ VT

The theme for this year’s edition is Responsibility, Restoration, and Reform. These papers explore social issues at home, in the wider community, and globally, which all call for the necessity of change. This year’s contributions represent disciplines across CLAHS, including History, Sociology, English, Language Sciences, and Modern Languages. As the editors for the 2024-2025 issue of Philologia, we hope these essays serve as a reminder that the world is always in flux, and that together we can push for a better future.

Raaj Aggarwal’s paper, “Continuity and Change between Colonial Education in Kenya and Refugee Education in Kakuma,” written for an independent study in History completed in fall 2024, explores the lingering repercussions of colonization, linking colonial-era education in Kenya with current educational practices in Kakuma refugee camp. Using the theoretical lens of the development episteme, he argues that current refugee schooling is built on colonial rhetoric and must instead acknowledge refugees’ roles in breaking free from the cycles of colonization.

Kaelin Farley’s critical essay on Camilo Herrera’s short story, “Hasta el sol de hoy,” written for SPAN 4334 (Culture of Fútbol) in fall 2024, examines the representation of sports conventionally deemed “mens’ games.” As she notes in her essay, the sub-genre of fútbol literature has historically been dominated by stories written by, for, and about men. Farley’s analysis exposes the sexist elements of Herrera’s short story and the overall tendencies of soccer-themed literature produced in Latin America and elsewhere, arguing for a more inclusive and equitable sporting realm for women.

Caleigh Hampton’s research paper, “‘I would like a diet Sprite’ /ay/ monophthongization in Southwest Virginia,” written for ENGL 4084 (Research in the Language Sciences) in spring 2024, reports Hampton’s findings on /ay/ monophthongization in speakers from Southwest Virginia, an area that is under-researched by linguists. She finds that /ay/ monophthongization in this region patterns somewhat differently from research on surrounding areas, suggesting that further research into Southwest Virginia speech features is necessary.

Dallana Flores’s research paper “America’s Role in the Forced Disappearance of Salvadoran Children: The Impact of U.S. Intervention in the Salvadoran Civil War” was written for IS 2004 and delves into the plight of the children missing because of U.S. interference in the Salvadoran Civil War. This piece takes a stark look at the toll that America’s involvement in Latin American conflicts has caused and details the different hurdles that must be overcome for justice to reach those affected. This account of the history of US involvement in these conflicts reveals the consequences of American imperialism, while considering what must still be done to restore countless Salvadoran families. 

Gabrielle Aucella’s research essay “Social Media Crisis Communication: Celebrity Influence During the COVID-19 Pandemic – A Case Study of Nicki Minaj’s Vaccine Tweets” examines the messaging crisis within the Pandemic and celebrities’ rhetorical influence. This paper was written for ENGL 4874, Issues in Professional and Public Discourse, focusing on disaster and crisis communications. Through her comprehensive analysis of Nicki Minaj’s tweets during 2020, she depicts the risks of crisis communication through social media.