The language of poverty: an exploration of the narratives of the poor

Federica Misturelli () and Claire Heffernan

Sustainable Development, 2011, vol. 19, issue 3, 206-222

Abstract: 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 101 slum 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. Copyright (C) 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and ERP Environment.

Keywords: narratives; urban poverty; discourse analysis; poor livestock keepers; language (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2011
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Citations: View citations in EconPapers (2)

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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:wly:sustdv:v:19:y:2011:i:3:p:206-222

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