当前语言认同研究的四大转变

Paradigm Shifts in Language Identity Research

当前,语言认同研究范式出现了4个方面的转变:(1)从结构主义向建构主义转变,开始重视认同的建构过程、机制和驱动因素;(2)从关注语言态度等主观因素向语言行为倾向等客观因素转变,开始重视认同的实践性和社区层面的他者认同;(3)拒绝将语言认同视作一种静态身份标识,开始关注语言认同的动态流变和认同逆转现象;(4)从单一语言认同向双重语言认同的转向,开展了双母语现象的研究。针对当前语言认同研究之范式转变,本文从方法论层面提出两个研究建议。第一,在学术讨论中将"语言认同"作为学科专业术语使用并推进其理论建构,尽量避免用"语言与认同"来代替"语言认同";同时,注意区分不同学科对"语言认同"概念的不同阐释。第二,学界尽快组织开展对语言认同评估的研究,提出既有普遍学理意义又具有可操作性的评价系统、评估指标和相关参数。

The study of language identity has seen four major shifts in its research paradigms. The first shift is the turn from the structuralist approach to the constructivist approach, where the process, mechanism, and motivation of identity construction are stressed. The second shift is the prioritization of objective elements（e.g. language behavior tendency） over subjective factors（e.g. language attitudes）, highlighting the value of identification practice and the community-level ＂otherness identification＂. The third shift is the change from static identification to dynamic identification, which has raised concern about the fluidity and reversal of identity. The last shift is the change from unique identity to dual identity, especially in the case of the recognition and exploration of ＂dual mother tongues＂. In view of the paradigm shifts in language identity research, this paper suggests that language identity research in China should make some changes accordingly. First, Yuyan Rentong（i.e. language identity）, rather than Yuyan yu Rentong（i.e. language and identity）, should be adopted as the single scholarly term in Chinese in order to serve as a consistent equivalent to the English term identity. Nevertheless, the different connotations of the term Yuyan Rentong in various disciplines deserve researchers＇ attention. Second, given the lack of recognized evaluation criteria for language identity, it is suggested that more importance should be attached to the assessment of language identification, and holistic evaluation systems and effective indicators should be properly developed.