ERIC Number: EJ1369107
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2023-Mar
Pages: 35
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-0167-8507
EISSN: EISSN-1613-3684
Code-Switching as Linguistic Microaggression: L2-Japanese and Speaker Legitimacy
Multilingua: Journal of Cross-Cultural and Interlanguage Communication, v42 n2 p249-283 Mar 2023
At a press conference in Japan, an L2-Japanese reporter questioned an L1-Japanese politician. Although the press conference was conducted in Japanese, the politician code-switched to English during their exchange. The reporter challenged the politician's code-switching; a confrontational exchange ensued. The reporter's reaction depicts the code-switching as linguistic microaggression. Linguistic microaggressions are verbal comments focused on language use itself which intentionally or unintentionally discriminate. I analyze two data sets: the press conference data and an interview with the reporter, and a survey conducted with over 300 L2-Japanese speakers in Japan. Microanalysis of the press conference reveals linguistic microaggression and a struggle for speaker legitimacy. Qualitative thematic analysis of survey data examines L2-Japanese speakers' reactions to unwanted code-switching. Together, analysis of these data sets shows how 1) linguistic microaggression can be resisted while asserting one's own speaker legitimacy, and 2) L2-Japanese speakers can react strongly to unwanted code-switching. Few studies examine unwanted code-switching. I argue that the code-switching examined here was linguistic microaggression and was perceived as a threat to L2 speaker legitimacy. Findings contribute to research that critically examines L2 speakers' struggles in Japan and have implications for understanding L2 speaker legitimacy.
Descriptors: Code Switching (Language), Second Language Learning, Japanese, Aggression, Antisocial Behavior, Public Officials, Native Speakers, Journalism, English (Second Language), Discourse Analysis, Foreign Countries, News Reporting, Video Technology, Language Usage, Language Role, Social Media, Sociolinguistics, Second Language Instruction
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Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: N/A
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Location: Japan
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A