Abstract
This paper sets out theoretical approaches to language that guide the authors' research in the field, but which have been under-represented in literature. As the English as a lingua franca field of enquiry grows, this article provides needed dialogue, consideration, and reflection over how we conceptualise our subject matter, our roles, and our rhetorical stances. This paper proposes the usefulness of considering the complexity of language, not as something that gets in the way of empiricism or clarity, but as something that makes ELF researchers perfectly positioned to investigate and contribute to wider understandings of language. Complexity theory is drawn upon as a conceptual tool that can be useful in guiding our thinking about the dynamic nature of language, which, in turn, is considered in relation to the reasons why language is complex, namely its roles in relation to practices and contextualisation. Having established our approaches to the complexity of the language in ELF scenarios, we propose implications for ELF researchers' treatment of speakers, language, and ideology.
About the authors
Robert Baird is a teaching fellow at the University of Southampton. His PhD research focused on the positioning and experiences of students studying on English-as- a-medium-of-instruction postgraduate courses in East Asia. He is a founding member of the Centre for Global Englishes at the University of Southampton, and his research interests include ELF, writing, sociolinguistics, higher education and ideas of language.
Will Baker is Lecturer in Modern Languages at the University of Southampton, UK, where he teaches applied linguistics. He is a founding member and Deputy Director of the University's Centre for Global Englishes. He is co-editor, with Jennifer Jenkins, of the book series “Developments in English as a Lingua Franca.” His current research interests include ELF, intercultural communication, culture and language, e-learning, and ELT.
Mariko Kitazawa has recently completed a PhD at the University of Southampton, and her PhD thesis explored conceptualisations of English in East Asian contexts particularly in relation to the issues of identifications and language ideologies. Her research interests lie in the areas of English as a lingua franca, language and identifications, ideas/conceptualisations of language, and language ideology. She is also a founding member of the Centre for Global Englishes at the University of Southampton.
©2014 by Walter de Gruyter Berlin/Boston
