Abstract

Inspired by Hult’s (2010. Theme-based research in the transdisciplinary field of educational linguistics. In Francis M. Hult (ed.), Directions and prospects for educational linguistics, 19–32. Springer) discussion of theme-based research within educational linguistics that focuses, first and foremost, on solving problems rather than adhering to disciplinary boundaries and conventions, this article calls for transdisciplinary collaboration to resolve educational problems related to monolingualism, native-speakerism, and the hegemony of colonial ideologies. More specifically, we make a case for transdisciplinary dialogue between English as a lingua franca (ELF) and translingualism. We argue that these two research fields, with their increasingly converging interests and goals as well as distinct strengths, can make a greater impact in addressing persistent educational problems through targeted collaboration, research, and (language) pedagogy based on equitable multilingualism (e.g., Ortega, Lourdes. 2019. SLA and the study of equitable multilingualism. The Modern Language Journal 103. 23–38). In this conceptual paper, we first introduce translingualism and ELF as equally legitimate multilingual theories. Next, we identify shared key tenets and orientations as well as distinctive vantage points of each approach that researchers and educators can take advantage of for collaboratively addressing problems within classrooms and beyond. Finally, we lay out a vision for how this transdisciplinary, collaborative dialogue can help realize more equitable multilingualism.

Using conversation analytic methods and concepts, this article examines a language tutorial among Thai and Japanese college students, focusing on the use of multilingual repertoires for organizing this activity. The study responds to a call for dialogic studies of multilingual interactions. A 79-minute video-recorded session was analyzed for the coordinated use of multilingual and multimodal resources as well as the role of sequential routines in the cooperative pursuit of relevant interactional projects. Findings demonstrate the contingent and variable nature of cooperative behaviors that are shaped not simply by a priori goals, but emergent interactional projects. They also exemplify reciprocal language learning wherein the participants alternate between expert and novice roles with respect to Thai and Japanese. The article concludes with the implications of the study for language learning and teaching in the context of globalization.