Prof. Edward Wen

Deciphering the Translanguaging Space: Exploring Digital Language Portraits as Tools for Understanding Multilingual Practices

This study delves into the concept of the "translanguaging space" and explores its implications for both theoretical understanding and practical application. The translanguaging space, as conceptualized by Li Wei (2018), represents a dynamic convergence of various dimensions, including personal histories, experiences, environments, attitudes, beliefs, ideologies, and cognitive and physical capacities. It encapsulates the spontaneous acts of creativity and criticality displayed by language users (Li Wei, 2011). To deepen our understanding of translanguaging spaces, this research focuses on digital language portraits (DLPs) as an illustrative case study. It is argued that DLPs provide a rich source of evidence to capture, document, and meticulously examine the intricate and multifaceted language practices and performances of multilingual individuals (Mu, Han & Wen, 2024). By employing a mixed-methods approach, combining quantitative data extracted from digital artifacts within the language portraits with qualitative data from interviews, this study comprehensively explores the complex interplay between personal histories and anecdotes, social-cultural environments, lived experiences, and plurilingual practices within translanguaging spaces. It is hoped that the findings of this study can contribute to a more profound understanding of the defining characteristics of translanguaging spaces and their far-reaching implications for language education, language policy and planning, as well as pedagogy. Ultimately, this research aims to construct an innovative and embodied perspective on multilingual identity, reinforcing the transformative potential of translanguaging practices.