Towards a Green Applied Linguistics: Human–Sea Turtle Semiotic Assemblages in Hawai‘i

Abstract

This article argues that human–animal relationships are a key conceptual terrain for applied linguists to intervene in emerging interdisciplinary debates on how to address problematic human–environment relations in a time of growing ecological degradation. The scientific diagnosis of the Anthropocene has further generated critical discussion in the social sciences on the need to understand the diversity of local cultural responses to global environmental crises, ranging from climate change to species extinction. This article proposes that a ‘green applied linguistics’ can offer empirical insights into the role of language and discourse in mediating diverse human relationships with animals and nature. Taking human interactions with protected wildlife as one aspect of these wider socio-environmental debates, this article builds on recent embodied, materialist and posthumanist research in applied linguistics to suggest that nexus analysis offers a holistic methodology to examine the problematic ways people become caught up with threatened species through their semiotic practices. I illustrate these ideas through examples from my ethnographic research on the convergence of sea turtle conservation and ecotourism practices at Laniākea Beach, Hawai‘i.

Encouraging Respectful Wildlife Viewing Among Tourists: Roles for Social Marketing, Regulatory Information, Symbolic Barriers, and Enforcement

“…One might conclude that the best avenue is to set up volunteers or other appointed people to act as enforcers of viewing distances and serve as deterrents. However, using volunteers to manage sites is time- and resource-intensive, and should be carefully weighed against the risk of inadvertently increasing tourism pressure on the site and species, as well as causing conflict with the local community over site use and management (see Konrad & Levine, 2021; Lamb, 2019). Plus, volunteers cannot manage all potential locations for interactions all the time, so having other techniques in place is beneficial.…”

“…At the time of designing the intervention, most tourists to Hawai‘i were from the U.S. (65%); tourists from Japan were the largest international market, followed by Canada (Hawaii Tourism Authority, 2019). Recent research examining data on tourists’ interactions with wildlife suggested obtaining a photo documenting their encounter is often involved in and presumed to be a potential driver of too-close encounters (Cherry et al, 2018; Lamb, 2019). A key part of our intervention was to find a replacement behavior that would help tourists reach their goals of taking pictures of wildlife.…”

“…Considering our secondary research illustrated the importance of taking photos of wildlife among tourists (Cherry et al, 2018; Lamb, 2019), we wanted to carefully consider how to preserve this behavioral driver. Self-presentation is one of the major functions of photography today (Van Dijck, 2008).…”

“…Sea turtles are sacred and held in high regard by indigenous Hawaiians; they are viewed as the embodiment of their ancestors (Ching, 2001). Tourists disturbing sea turtles for the enjoyment of their vacation exemplifies the discursive tension between commodifying the species for tourists and views that the species is culturally and environmentally revered (Lamb, 2019). Though tourists may be interested in learning more about the species’ cultural and environmental significance, that knowledge may not necessarily lead to tourists following viewing distance guidelines (Rothschild, 1999).…”

“…The Endangered Species Act specifies the illegality of harassment or attempted harassment resulting in disturbing sea turtles; the 10-foot distance is a guideline designed to prevent such disturbances (NOAA, 2021b). Since the mid-2000s, signs with rules and volunteers on beaches have been used to try to stop people from harassing sea turtles (Lamb, 2019). However, while interest is growing, few studies have used a social marketing framework to examine behavior-change-based approaches (Turner et al, 2021).…”