Some bilingual couples speak lingua francas: personal pronoun indexicality in the light of positioning theory

ABSTRACT

The paper focuses on the communication of three bilingual couples, each speaking a different lingua franca (LF). Positioning theory offers a methodological framework to explain language choice in interactive positioning within personal contacts. A comparative view of the couples’ storylines benefits from the differences between them. The analysis herein shows how the speakers are positioned in the subtle interplay of self-positioning and the positioning of the partner. The couples draw on their language resources and specific linguistic features which index language ideologies. Reasons for the choice and maintenance of a LF in the couple are informed by attitudinal factors which contribute to the discursive production of interpersonal positions. Findings outline multidimensional perspectives on LF couples by showing how different positions are created and how positioning is connected to the negotiation of a common language. This paper advances the debate on LF communication in intercultural relationships by demonstrating that positioning helps to investigate the ways in which diverse language resources intertwine to create different linguistic constellations and eventually improve our understanding of the performance in a third language.

KEYWORDS:

• Bilingual couples
• lingua franca
• positioning theory
• immigrants
• intercultural relationships
• personal pronouns

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No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Agnieszka Stępkowska

Agnieszka Stępkowska is Associate Professor at the Institute of Linguistics, the University of Szczecin, Poland. Her research interests focus on sociolinguistics and bilingualism.