What are language practices?

The idea of language practices is linked to the linguistic repertoire of each person, and it refers to the particular use of the languages, varieties, styles, routines, etc. in given communicative situations and/or contexts. This particular use of the elements that comprise our linguistic repertoire are also known as “discursive practices” (Hall & Nilep, 2018), “pratiques langagières plurilingues” (Léglise, 2018) or “languaging” (García & Li Wei, 2014). These concepts adhere to contemporary perspectives about the dynamism and flexibility in speakers’ use of their linguistic resources, which originate a bricolage of new meanings and a reflection of their fluid identities.

References

  • García, O., & Li Wei (2014). Translanguaging: Language, bilingualism and education. Palgrave Macmillan.
  • Hall, K. & Nilep, C. (2018). Code switching and globalization. In D. Tannen, H. Hamilton & D. Schiffrin (Eds.), Handbook of Discourse Analysis (pp.597-619). Blackwell.
  • Léglise, I. (2018). Pratiques langagières plurilingues et frontièrs des langues. In M. Auzanneau & L. Greco (Eds.), Dessiner les Frontières (pp. 143-169): ENS Editions.