Abstract
In multi-lingual workplace interaction involving L2-speakers with different levels of proficiency, L1-speakers can be seen to use self-translation of their own prior contributions as a repair-practice to restore intersubjectivity. This paper shows that self-translations are produced in three environments: (a) in response to repair-initiation by recipients, (b) in response to inadequate or missing responses, (c) after disaffiliative responses in order to elicit a more favorable uptake. Self-translations therefore are not only used to deal with linguistic understanding problems, but can also use linguistic diversity as a resource for dealing with lack of affiliation and alignment. Self-translations are produced by a switch to the addressee’s L1 or to a lingua franca. They are only partial, being restricted to a translation of the core semantic content of the turn to be translated, thus relying heavily on a shared understanding of the pragmatic context and being designed so as to support interactional progression. Data come from video-taped meetings in Finland involving Finnish and Russian L1-speakers and various kinds of professional trainings in Germany involving instructors with German as L1 and refugees with various linguistic backgrounds.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 507-540 |
Number of pages | 34 |
Journal | Intercultural Pragmatics |
Volume | 21 |
Issue number | 4 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 1 Sept 2024 |
MoE publication type | A1 Journal article-refereed |
Keywords
- conversation analysis
- multilingual practices
- second-language conversation
- self-translations
- workplace interaction