Tracing the ideological contours of Modern Greek language textbooks: Uncovering liquid racism

This qualitative study investigates the ideological substratum that shapes the Modern Greek language textbooks used in Junior High Schools in Greece between 2006 and the time of writing (2023). Using a synthetic approach that fused discourse strategy analysis and the grammar of visual composition, salient aspects of ideology are highlighted and their role in the textbooks is discussed. Specifically, the analysis shows that the content of the textbooks reveals a monocultural and monolingual construction of society. Assumptions with nationalist and racist undertones, though not explicitly articulated, are present in opaque (‘liquid’) forms. The findings suggest a pressing need for ideologically-aware language teaching and the development of critical literacy skills.