Richard Ruiz: A Voice that Speaks and Speaks, Making Meanings across Disciplines and Time

Abstract

Paying homage to the work of Richard Ruiz, whose ideas have formed the foundations of no fewer than four separate academic fields, this essay argues that Ruiz’ most important scholarly contributions have been influenced by his highly creative reformulation and application of the work of philosopher Ludwig Wittgenstein.  Using philosophical inquiry to argue this point, I situate his work biographically, and weave in interviews with students who reflect on his influence as a scholar and as a teacher. Ruiz’ ideas have shaped the fields of language policy and planning; bilingual education; heritage language education; and multicultural education, and his ideas continue to generate new directions in scholarship.