Part of
New Englishes, New MethodsEdited by Guyanne Wilson and Michael Westphal
[Varieties of English Around the World G68] 2023
► pp. 243–262
Edited by Guyanne Wilson and Michael Westphal
[Varieties of English Around the World G68] 2023
► pp. 243–262
Complicating the field
World Englishes and digital ethnography
In this contribution, I explore the growing role of digital communication for the study of World Englishes and specifically the potential of digital ethnography as a methodological framework. I outline basic principles and traditions of digital ethnography and point out continuities between the importance of traditional, on-the-ground fieldwork for World Englishes, and consequences of more complex and fuzzy notions of the digital field. I give a closer examination of applications of digital ethnography by pointing to three case studies in different global settings. Finally, the chapter concludes with a discussion of the research ethics gap in digital ethnography and initial suggestions for ethical grounding of digital ethnography approaches in World Englishes.
Article outline
- 1.Introduction
- 2.Complicating the field
- 2.1Space/place concepts in World Englishes
- 2.2Digital ethnography for World Englishes
- 3.Case studies: Digital ethnography and World Englishes research
- 3.1Current trends in digital World Englishes
- 3.2Case studies: Digital World Englishes studies across the globe
- 4.Outlook: Bridging the ethics gap
-
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