Faithful imitator, legitimate speaker, playful creator and dialogical communicator: shift in English learners' identity prototypes

Abstract

This paper attempts to conceptualize identity prototypes regarding model L2 learners/users of English over the past 50 years, as embedded in research discourses. For a long time, the ideal learner was a faithful imitator whose L2 use and cultural conduct were strictly modeled on the native speaker (NS). With postcolonial changes around the world, a legitimate speaker was born, claiming equal language standards and rights with NSs. Growing under the increased influence of globalization and postmodernism is a playful creator, who constructs unconventional hybrid language use for distinct self-expression. A Bakhtinian dialogical communicator is also emerging, who converses on the basis of respect and reflection. These prototypes are discussed with their respective characteristics, L2 research discourse, contexts, and constraints.

本文尝试概括过去半个世纪中英语二语认同的典型模式及其变化。理想的英语学习者很久以来都是“忠实的模仿者”，其语言使用和文化行为都严格以本族语者为模版。逐渐取代这一模式的，是后殖民的环境下诞生的“正规的发言者”，以维护自己群体的语言标准和权利、争取与本族语者的平等地位为目标。在全球化和后现代主义影响加剧的背景下，出现了“嬉戏的编创者”，以其标新立异的语言混杂方式表达自我。在此过程中还出现了“对话的交流者”，在巴赫金所言“对话”的意义上，以尊重和反思为基础进行交流。文章讨论了这些演变中的模式的特征、二语研究话语、相关情境，以及困境。

Keywords:

• L2 identity
• faithful imitator
• legitimate speaker
• playful creator
• dialogical communicator

Acknowledgements

The author would like to extend her thanks to the two anonymous reviewers who have offered helpful comments and suggestions in the revision of this paper, to Dr John O'Regan who has helped on language improvement, and to Dr Prue Holmes who has provided continuous moral support.

Notes on contributor

Yihong Gao obtained her MA degree in linguistics from Durham University (UK) in 1983, EdM in TESOL from Boston University (USA) in 1988, and PhD in linguistics from Peking University (PRC) in 1992. Currently, she is Professor of Linguistics and Director of Research Institute of Linguistics and Applied Linguistics, School of Foreign Languages, Peking University. She is also Vice President of China English Language Education Association, and served as the President of The Association of Chinese Sociolinguistics. Her major research areas are sociolinguistics, applied linguistics, and intercultural communication. Her publications include Culture and Foreign Language Teaching (1997, second author, collaboration with HU Wenzhong), Understanding and Transcending Linguistic and Cultural Differences (2000), Foreign Language Leaning: ‘1+1>2’ (2001), The Social Psychology of English Learning by Chinese College Students Motivation and Learners’ Self-Identities (2004, first author), and College Students’ English Learning Motivation and Self-Identity Development – A four-year longitudinal study (2013, first author).

Notes

1. http://huati.weibo.com/29836?order=time

2. For example: ‘Leaves are dripping down like the spray of a waterfall, While I watch the long river always rolling on’. – Witter Bynner.