Neoliberalism, English, and spoiled identity: The case of a high-achieving university graduate in Hong Kong

Abstract Neoliberalism has permeated every sphere of social life, including education and language learning, seeking to produce a particular kind subject, homo economicus , with the dispositions required manage self as an economic project. This article unravels workings unfulfilled promise neoliberal English its damaging consequences on high-achieving female university graduate in context contemporary Hong Kong. Combining Marxist Foucauldian perspectives, while simultaneously drawing Goffman's concepts stigma spoiled identity, our analysis is informed by positioning theory captures impact what we have termed gaze informant's sense self. Seen through lens, data reveal extent, but also limits, her assimilation governmentality, lens allows us account for plight terms alienation resulting identity. (Neoliberalism, alienation, stigma, gaze)*