ERIC Number: EJ1345101
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2022
Pages: 16
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-1367-0050
EISSN: EISSN-1747-7522
Translingual Practices in a 'Monolingual' Society: Discourses, Learners' Subjectivities and Language Choices
International Journal of Bilingual Education and Bilingualism, v25 n5 p1681-1696 2022
This study explores how Japanese EFL students engaged in translingual practices during a telecollaborative project that connected two college classrooms in the US and Japan. The project aimed at encouraging the students' creative uses of languages, promoting an appreciation for their multiple linguistic resources, and nurturing their sense of ownership of languages informed by translingual practices. Contrary to our expectations, students in Japan exhibited great efforts to write in monolingual English and/or Japanese, which prompted us to investigate the reasons behind their language choices. Based on data analyses drawing on poststructural theory of subjectivities, we argue that the students' language practices were shaped by local discourses that value privileged English, single language uses, and embodiment of 'Japaneseness.' As a result, students in Japan maintained single language uses in order to represent themselves in a positive light. Accordingly, they did not appreciate the language plurality demonstrated by their partners in the US. This result led us to contend that creating a local community that recognizes and appreciates linguistic diversity is essential in order for students to enjoy using multiple linguistic resources creatively and freely, and to gain confidence to claim ownership of their languages.
Descriptors: Monolingualism, Teaching Methods, English (Second Language), Second Language Learning, Second Language Instruction, Foreign Countries, Language Usage, Undergraduate Students, Multilingualism, Japanese, Native Language, Student Attitudes, Language Attitudes, Self Concept, International Educational Exchange, Creativity, Intercultural Communication, Linguistic Theory, Cultural Awareness, Group Discussion, Computer Mediated Communication
Routledge. Available from: Taylor & Francis, Ltd. 530 Walnut Street Suite 850, Philadelphia, PA 19106. Tel: 800-354-1420; Tel: 215-625-8900; Fax: 215-207-0050; Web site: http://www.tandf.co.uk/journals
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: Higher Education; Postsecondary Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Location: Japan; United States
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A