Available online 7 May 2015
Colonials in Camouflage: Metonymy, mimicry and the reproduction of the colonial order in the age of diversity
Abstract
In
this study we examine the narratives of international accountants
migrating to Canada. We draw on post-colonial theory to theorize the
mechanisms through which professionals are “othered” as they come to
Canada and how, through mimicry some are to gain recognition as
professionals in the Canadian field. Our findings illustrate the
barriers experienced by non-white, non-male, non-western professionals
despite the discourse of diversity that pervades the profession. Using
semiotic analysis we show how metonyms are used by professionals in the
field to construct an archetype of the Canadian Professional Accountant
against which “foreign” professionals are implicitly assessed. Our
findings illustrate how some international professionals use metonymy to
cross these barriers and reclaim their professional identity in Canada.
Mots clés
- Cabinets comptables;
- Race;
- Social;
- diversité;
- égalité
Palabras clave
- Firmas de contabilidad;
- Raza;
- Socia
