Translanguaging and momentarily in social interaction

Abstract

This chapter introduces Translanguaging as an analytical lens through which we can understand linguistic behaviours of people with multiple named languages. Broadly, Translanguaging refers to speakers’ dynamic and creative use of resources across the borders of named languages. It is premised on the view that multilingual individuals have an innate ability to draw flexibly upon a repertoire of linguistic features (phonetic, morphological, semantic, orthographic, and so forth) that originate in more than one named language, as well as what has been termed extra-linguistic or non-linguistic meaning-making resources, including bodily and sensory resources. Translanguaging is performative, and this includes everyday performances in mundane situations; it exudes creativity and criticality, generating positive disturbance to social interaction.