Startseite Exploring second language speakers’ linguistic identities in ELF communication: a Hong Kong study
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Exploring second language speakers’ linguistic identities in ELF communication: a Hong Kong study

  • Chit Cheung Matthew Sung

    Chit Cheung Matthew Sung is Assistant Professor in the Department of English at Lingnan University, Hong Kong. He holds a PhD in Linguistics from Lancaster University, UK. His research focuses on sociolinguistics, global Englishes, language and identity, and English Language Teaching (ELT). He is currently working on a research project on linguistic practices, language attitudes, and identity construction in ELF contexts. He has published in international refereed journals, including English Today, ELT Journal, Asian Englishes, Linguistics and Education, International Journal of Bilingual Education and Bilingualism, and Language, Culture and Curriculum.

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Veröffentlicht/Copyright: 14. August 2015

Abstract

This paper reports on a qualitative inquiry that investigated a group of Hong Kong university students’ perceptions of their linguistic identities in English as a Lingua Franca (ELF) communication. The participants of the study were proficient second language (L2) speakers of English who reported to have participated in intercultural ELF communication on a regular basis. By analyzing data gathered via two rounds of in-depth interviews, the study revealed that these participants did not evaluate their “non-native” status negatively but embraced their identities as legitimate and empowered speakers of English in ELF interactions. In addition, they validated their identities as multilingual, multicompetent, and translingual speakers of English with the ability to draw upon a diverse set of multilingual resources flexibly in ELF contexts. The analysis also found that these participants’ linguistic identities were constructed and negotiated in relation to the perceived linguistic competence of other ELF speakers, especially L2 speakers of other cultural/national backgrounds. This paper sheds light on the complexity of linguistic identities in ELF contexts and contributes to the growing ELF research in the Asian context.

摘要

本文旨在研究香港大學生在英語為通用語言溝通情況下, 對其語言身份的看法。這項定性研究的受訪者為精通英語為第二語言的香港大學生, 他們經常以英語作為通用語言, 參與跨文化交際的溝通。透過分析兩輪深入訪問所收集的數據, 研究顯示, 這些受訪者並沒有對其英語為非母語的身份作出負面評估, 相反, 他們確認其英語為通用語言使用者的身份, 並自我賦權。此外, 分析顯示受訪者肯定其多語能力的身份, 並確認其擁有在英語為通用語言溝通情況下靈活運用多語的能力。研究並發現, 受訪者的語言身份建構與他們對其他對話者的語言能力看法有關, 尤其是來自其他文化或國家背景, 並以英語為第二語言的對話者。本文揭示語言身份在英語為通用語言溝通情況下的複雜性, 分析有助學者對於英語為通用語言在亞洲的認識。

About the author

Chit Cheung Matthew Sung

Chit Cheung Matthew Sung is Assistant Professor in the Department of English at Lingnan University, Hong Kong. He holds a PhD in Linguistics from Lancaster University, UK. His research focuses on sociolinguistics, global Englishes, language and identity, and English Language Teaching (ELT). He is currently working on a research project on linguistic practices, language attitudes, and identity construction in ELF contexts. He has published in international refereed journals, including English Today, ELT Journal, Asian Englishes, Linguistics and Education, International Journal of Bilingual Education and Bilingualism, and Language, Culture and Curriculum.

Acknowledgements

I would like to thank Barbara Seidlhofer, editor of JELF, and two anonymous reviewers for their valuable comments on the earlier version of this paper. My sincere thanks also go to the participants of the study for their time and participation.

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Published Online: 2015-8-14
Published in Print: 2015-9-1

©2015 by De Gruyter Mouton

Heruntergeladen am 3.11.2025 von https://www.degruyterbrill.com/document/doi/10.1515/jelf-2015-0022/html
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