Embracing Theory as Liberatory Practice: Journeying Toward a Critical Praxis of Speech, Language, and Hearing

Abstract

Purpose: The purpose of this tutorial is to guide practitioners to a critical praxis of speech, language, and hearing. This tutorial provides a foundational knowledge of critical theory as an approach to framing, conceptualizing, and interpreting phenomena and demonstrates its application to the speech, language, and hearing profession. Method: This tutorial reviews critical theory as a category of frameworks that challenge existing power structures and provides a critical analysis of the profession's approach to language using a raciolinguistic framework. Questions are included for the reader to guide self-reflection and preparation for enacting a critical praxis oriented toward justice. Recommended readings are provided for the reader to continue the journey beyond these pages. Results: The author presents a critical praxis of speech, language, and hearing, drawing directly from two additional critical frameworks: Black fugitivity and culturally sustaining pedagogy. This critical praxis is discussed within the context of three major areas—activism, assessment, and intervention—with a reconsideration of how to leverage skills, resources, and strategies in a way that centers (racial) identity formation and multimodal communication. Conclusion: Next steps are suggested, and readers are invited to become theorists who continue to develop a critical praxis for their context. Supplemental Material: https://doi.org/10.23641/asha.22312213