In this research, we look at a corpus of approximately 2,000 messages posted on internet forums regarding requests for and offers of accommodation for international students in Italy. The approach will be largely quantitative (via a statistical analysis of the occurrence of relevant phenomena). We will examine the way ELF in this context is informed also by Italian, as a particular type of code mixing and switching as appropriate given the specific extra-linguistic context of students coming to Italy largely to learn about Italian art, culture, history and language. Such mixing and switching is found not only in the micro-aspects of the languages such as in names of places (proper nouns) and of culture-specific concepts, but also in longer discourse segments such as phatic expressions, for instance, salutations. We argue that the code switching, in particular, constitutes a deliberate strategy whereby speakers from expanding circle countries in particular would seem to be deliberately displaying affinity with Italian language and culture.
The localisation of ELF. Code mixing and switching between ELF and Italian in Italian internet accommodation forums for international students
CHRISTIANSEN, Thomas, Wulstan
2016-01-01
Abstract
In this research, we look at a corpus of approximately 2,000 messages posted on internet forums regarding requests for and offers of accommodation for international students in Italy. The approach will be largely quantitative (via a statistical analysis of the occurrence of relevant phenomena). We will examine the way ELF in this context is informed also by Italian, as a particular type of code mixing and switching as appropriate given the specific extra-linguistic context of students coming to Italy largely to learn about Italian art, culture, history and language. Such mixing and switching is found not only in the micro-aspects of the languages such as in names of places (proper nouns) and of culture-specific concepts, but also in longer discourse segments such as phatic expressions, for instance, salutations. We argue that the code switching, in particular, constitutes a deliberate strategy whereby speakers from expanding circle countries in particular would seem to be deliberately displaying affinity with Italian language and culture.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
