English-language attitudes and identities in Spain
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Erin Carrie
Abstract
Language attitude research has increasingly focused on English-language learners’ evaluations of various accents and their ability to recognise them. However, little academic attention has been paid to the links between language attitudes and use, or language attitudes and identities. Contextualised within two Spanish universities, this chapter explores learners’ English-mediated identities via questionnaires and interviews, and the ways in which they negotiate possible selves within paired interactions. Quantitative data suggest that attitudes can predict use to some extent, but qualitative data provide much deeper insights into the negotiation of identity using rich sociolinguistic repertoires. The chapter concludes with some reflections on the nature of the relationship between language attitudes, language use and second-language identities.
Abstract
Language attitude research has increasingly focused on English-language learners’ evaluations of various accents and their ability to recognise them. However, little academic attention has been paid to the links between language attitudes and use, or language attitudes and identities. Contextualised within two Spanish universities, this chapter explores learners’ English-mediated identities via questionnaires and interviews, and the ways in which they negotiate possible selves within paired interactions. Quantitative data suggest that attitudes can predict use to some extent, but qualitative data provide much deeper insights into the negotiation of identity using rich sociolinguistic repertoires. The chapter concludes with some reflections on the nature of the relationship between language attitudes, language use and second-language identities.
Chapters in this book
- Prelim pages i
- Table of contents v
- Acknowledgments vii
- The pragmatics of accents 1
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Part 1. Ideologies of accents in national contexts
- Attitudes to accents 19
- Urban youth accents in France 41
- Encountering accented others – and selves – in provincial Japan 63
- ‘Could I have an appointment for a viewing?’ 85
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Part 2. Accents in second language education teaching and learning
- The pragmatic force of second language accent in education 117
- A lack of phonological inherentness 141
- English-language attitudes and identities in Spain 163
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Part 3. Accents in the media and the workplace
- From I’m the One That I Want to Kim’s Convenience 189
- Divine intervention 205
- In the ear of the beholder 229
-
Concluding remarks
- From sound to social meaning 247
- Index 263
Chapters in this book
- Prelim pages i
- Table of contents v
- Acknowledgments vii
- The pragmatics of accents 1
-
Part 1. Ideologies of accents in national contexts
- Attitudes to accents 19
- Urban youth accents in France 41
- Encountering accented others – and selves – in provincial Japan 63
- ‘Could I have an appointment for a viewing?’ 85
-
Part 2. Accents in second language education teaching and learning
- The pragmatic force of second language accent in education 117
- A lack of phonological inherentness 141
- English-language attitudes and identities in Spain 163
-
Part 3. Accents in the media and the workplace
- From I’m the One That I Want to Kim’s Convenience 189
- Divine intervention 205
- In the ear of the beholder 229
-
Concluding remarks
- From sound to social meaning 247
- Index 263
