Introduction

This chapter argues that the young people's practices involve active engagement with globalization processes associated with 'critical positionings in timespace scales' while, at the same time, being positioned within the periphery. There are new affordances for the circulation of language resources and cultural artefacts. Such forms of globalization on the margins trigger complex processes of sociolinguistic and cultural reordering and invite examination of emerging language and literacy practices. It is not only affecting the metropolitan centers of the world but it is also having an impact on the margins, may be in a different manner, including social spaces that are quite remotely situated with respect to metropolitan centers. The inequalities between centers and margins shape not only economic and social status but also cultural and linguistic practices. Margins are also caught up in globalized economic activities such as tourism. The chapter also presents an overview of the key concepts discussed in this book.