Vol. 6:2 (2021) ► pp.189–213
Vol. 6:2 (2021) ► pp.189–213
Problematizing heritage language identities
Heritage speakers of Mexican descent studying abroad in Argentina
Heritage speaker identities have traditionally been a relevant topic of inquiry among scholars of heritage language pedagogy. Nevertheless, there is little research on Spanish heritage language identities in a study abroad context. Additionally, most existing studies on this topic focus on heritage speakers of Mexican descent studying in Mexico (e.g., de Félix & Cavazos Peña, 1992; McLaughlin, 2001; Riegelhaupt & Carrasco, 2000). This study examines heritage language identities in a non-heritage context by exploring the experiences of three heritage speakers of Mexican descent studying in Mendoza, Argentina. By focusing on a non-heritage context, we move away from the presumption that all heritage speakers seek to (re)claim a specific ethnic identity through language study (see Leeman, 2015). Instead, our qualitative analysis illustrates the diverse ways heritage speakers in a non-heritage context construct, contest, and negotiate their identities with respect to linguistic awareness, negotiation between varieties, and perceptions of their abilities.
Article outline
- 1.Introduction
- 2.Previous research
- 2.1Spanish heritage language learners in study abroad
- 2.2Heritage language identities
- 3.Methodology
- 3.1Participants and program
- 3.2Data collection
- 3.3Instruments
- 3.4Data analysis
- 4.Results
- 4.1Linguistic characteristics of the home and target varieties of Spanish
- 4.2Case studies
- 4.2.1Leticia
- Linguistic awareness of and negotiation between the target and home variety
- Perceptions of abilities in Spanish
- Language practices and their relationship to imagined communities
- Summary of Leticia’s case
- 4.2.2Juan
- Linguistic awareness of and negotiation between the target and home variety
- Perceptions of abilities in Spanish
- Language practices and their relationship to imagined communities
- Summary of Juan’s case
- 4.2.3Cristina
- Linguistic awareness of and negotiation between the target and home variety
- Perceptions of abilities in Spanish
- Language practices and their relationship to imagined communities
- Summary of Cristina’s case
- 4.2.1Leticia
- 5.Discussion
- 5.1Linguistic awareness of and negotiation between the target and home variety
- 5.2Perceptions of abilities in Spanish
- 5.3Language practices and their relationship to imagined communities
- 6.Conclusions
- Note
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References