Making language work in hybrid workspaces: three tensions

Abstract

This article focuses on the kinds of work that language does in contemporary workplaces, the discursive resources that are available to workers, and the challenges that they face, as they learn to build on established language practices, and develop new language practices, in order to do their work. In particular, we are interested in the ways in which workers learn to use language and communications technologies to make and use knowledge in contested workspaces. We argue that it is more helpful to think about contemporary workplaces as workspaces; networks of people, technologies and practices stretched across countries and regions and joined up by communications technologies. A distinguishing feature of these networks is that different generations of communications technologies sit side by side, demanding and permitting different kinds of language practice. Through a case study we focus on the ways in which new language practices emerge and become significant in shaping working knowledge and working relationships.