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Lost in Translation: Sex and Sexuality in Elite Discourse and Everyday Language

University of Toronto, Canada, k.tsang{at}utoronto.ca

P. Sik Ying Ho

University of Hong Kong, psyho{at}hkucc.hku.hk

This article questions our own use of language in representing, articulating, and communicating Chinese-speaking people's experiences associated with the words `sex' and `sexuality' in the English language. We notice that whenever the elite discourse fails to fully represent the lived experiences of `the people', their own utterances will demonstrate the creative and subversive potentials of the everyday language. Our research has transformed our understanding of an ever-evolving domain we once tried to capture with the western language of sexuality, and led us to rethink our theoretical positions and methods. We finally arrive at a better understanding of the value and significance of research that engages with people's articulation of their lived experience that might contradict our original position, assumptions and arguments. We wish to caution against the unquestioned privileging of elite discourses produced and distributed from sites of power, and the risk of theoretical imperialism.

Key Words: Chinese • desire • elite discourse • everyday language • sexuality

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Sexualities, Vol. 10, No. 5, 623-644 (2007)
DOI: 10.1177/1363460706068041


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This Article Abstract Free Full Text (Free PDF) Free Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Services Email this article to a friend Similar articles in this journal Alert me to new issues of the journal Add to Saved Citations Download to citation manager Request Permissions Request Reprints Add to My Marked Citations Citing Articles Citing Articles via Google Scholar Citing Articles via Scopus Google Scholar Articles by Tsang, A. K. T. Articles by Ho, P. S. Y. Search for Related Content Social Bookmarking                         What's this?