Commentary In:
Linguistic Approaches to Bilingualism: Online-First Articles
Commentary

Translanguaging

A view From the South

ORCID logo | Azim Premji Foundation
ORCID logo | University of Warwick
The rapid evolution of translanguaging theory from its original conceptualisation to its current form offers evidence that it has been widely accepted by teachers and scholars alike. In this response to Treffers-Daller’s opinion piece (2024), we offer a vision of translanguaging as a Southern practical theory of language that has clear implications for the classroom. We clarify important differences to codeswitching theory and argue that translanguaging offers a complex systems theory perspective on multilingual language use. We embrace the wide range of practices underpinned by translanguaging theory as part of its pluralistic, flexible and fuzzy nature, arguing that only by transcending a code-based theory of language can we correct the frequent social injustice caused by the imposition of Northern-originating language-use policies on communities in the Global South.
Article outline
  • 1.Introduction
  • 2.The scope of translanguaging
  • 3.Translanguaging and codeswitching
  • 4.Valid points made by Treffers-Daller
  • 5.Conclusion
  • Competing interests
  • Data availability statement
  • References
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References (8)
References
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