Western Cultural Representations in Indonesian English Textbooks: A Critical Discourse Analysis from a Global Englishes Perspective

Authors

  • Dimas Raditya Bagaskara School of Languages, Literatures, Cultures, and Linguistics, Faculty of Arts, Monash University, Melbourne 3800
  • Muhammad Farihul Qulub Linguistic Department, Faculty of Cultural Studies, Universitas Brawijaya, Malang 65145 https://orcid.org/0009-0005-9784-9100
  • Chatarina Tri Rahmawati Department of English, Faculty of Letters, Universitas Negeri Malang, Malang 65145
  • Saddam Reza Hamidi Humanities Sciences Department, Faculty of Cultural Sciences, Universitas Gadjah Mada, Yogyakarta 55281 https://orcid.org/0009-0001-1176-3412

https://doi.org/10.19105/ojbs.v20i1.24812
Abstract views: 14 PDF downloads: 5

Keywords:

Curriculum, Discourse analysis, Global English, Western cultural elements

Abstract

Underlying sociopolitical and power dynamics influence the formation of discourses. Due to its cultural traces, the prevalence of Western elements in English textbooks is not exactly novel. However, the question remains whether the Western elements in English textbooks have any social implications, particularly regarding Global English in the EFL landscape. Thus, this study examines the representation of Western cultural elements in Indonesian English textbooks across two curricula and their implications for Global English, using critical discourse analysis. The results concluded that both textbooks represent Western-centric elements differently in the text, discursive, and social practice layers. Despite that, both textbooks consistently privilege Western values and cultures. Such representations challenge Global English principles that emphasize cultural identity. Moreover, the findings highlight how the representation of Western elements in both textbooks could cause cultural mismatches that make it harder for students to internalize. The present study advocates the need for balanced materials that incorporate both Western elements and local cultures to nurture cultural identity, a core principle of the Pancasila ideology, which serves as the basis for Indonesian educational curricula.

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Author Biographies

Dimas Raditya Bagaskara, School of Languages, Literatures, Cultures, and Linguistics, Faculty of Arts, Monash University, Melbourne 3800

Dimas Raditya Bagaskara is an FLSP (Foreign Language in Specific Purposes) instructor at Universitas Muhammadiyah Malang Language Center. He earned his MAppLing in Applied Linguistics from Monash University. His primary research interests are pragmatics, corpus linguistics, discourse analysis, and World Englishes.

Muhammad Farihul Qulub, Linguistic Department, Faculty of Cultural Studies, Universitas Brawijaya, Malang 65145

Muhammad Farihul Qulub is a part-time lecturer and field researcher associated with Badan Riset dan Inovasi Nasional (BRIN). He earned his M.Li in Linguistics from Universitas Brawijaya. His primary research interests are toponymy, anthroponymy, linguistic landscape, and language documentation. Farihul is currently undertaking field research on endangered languages in Kaimana, West Papua.

Chatarina Tri Rahmawati, Department of English, Faculty of Letters, Universitas Negeri Malang, Malang 65145

Chatarina Tri Rachmawati is an English teacher. She earned her M.Pd in English Language Education from Universitas Negeri Malang. Her primary research interests are curriculum design, English language pedagogy, and the design of English learning media for young learners.

Saddam Reza Hamidi, Humanities Sciences Department, Faculty of Cultural Sciences, Universitas Gadjah Mada, Yogyakarta 55281

Saddam Reza Hamidi is a doctoral student in Linguistics at Universitas Gajah Mada. He earned his M.Hum in Arabic Language and Literature from Universitas Islam Negeri Maulana Malik Ibrahim. His primary interests are sociolinguistics and philology. Saddam is currently studying ancient Javanese religious manuscripts written in the Pegon script.

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Published

2026-05-30

How to Cite

Bagaskara, D. R., Qulub, M. F., Rahmawati, C. T., & Hamidi, S. R. (2026). Western Cultural Representations in Indonesian English Textbooks: A Critical Discourse Analysis from a Global Englishes Perspective. OKARA: Jurnal Bahasa Dan Sastra, 20(1), 87–101. https://doi.org/10.19105/ojbs.v20i1.24812

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Vol. 20 No. 1 (2026): OKARA: Jurnal Bahasa dan Sastra (In Progress)

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Articles

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