Multilingualism and Identity

Interdisciplinary Perspectives

Wendy Ayres-Bennett, Linda Fisher

• Publisher: Cambridge University Press
• Year: 2022
• Print ISBN: 9781108490207
• eBook ISBN: 9781108803793
• Topic: Languages & Linguistics
• Subtopic: Linguistics
• Index: Languages & Linguistics

The analysis and understanding of multilingualism, and its relationship to identity in the face of globalization, migration and the increasing dominance of English as a lingua franca, makes it a complex and challenging problem that requires insights from a range of disciplines. With reference to a variety of languages and contexts, this book offers fascinating insights into multilingual identity from a team of world-renowned scholars, working from a range of different theoretical and methodological perspectives. Three overarching themes are explored – situatedness, identity practices, and investment – and detailed case studies from different linguistic and cultural contexts are included throughout. The chapter authors' consideration of 'multilingualism-as-resource' challenges the conception of 'multilingualism-as-problem', which has dogged so much political thinking in late modernity. The studies offer a critical lens on the types of linguistic repertoire that are celebrated and valued, and introduce the policy implications of their findings for education and wider social issues.

Table of contents

• Cover
• Half-title page
• Title page
• Copyright page
• Contents
• List of Figures
• List of Tables
• List of Contributors
• 1 Towards Interdisciplinarity in Multilingual Identity Research: Differing Perspectives and Common Ground
• Part I Situated Multilingualism and Identity
• Part II Multilingual Identity Practices
• Part III Multilingual Identity and Investment
• References
• Index