Lingua et Linguistica
Vol. 1.1, 2007
ISBN 978-1-84753-625-9

Collecting Spoken Data in Second Language Varieties of English: Interrogating the Methodology

Joanne Rajadurai
MARA University of Technology, Malaysia

Abstract

This paper examines certain conceptual and methodological issues in L2 studies. It begins with a discussion of past techniques for investigating L2 speech, and highlights some of their limitations. It then makes a case for examining the speech of proficient speakers of second language varieties of English in an attempt to understand how they use English in multilingual settings. Referring to a multiple case study that was conducted among a group of proficient speakers of English in Malaysia, the paper offers a detailed evaluation of a technique used to collect spoken data generated in a variety of naturalistic contexts. In particular, it considers the tensions inherent in the selection and preparation of participants, the research tools and procedures used, and the roles and relationships involved in the research. It is hoped that the issues raised in this paper will offer new methodological possibilities and serve as a resource for researchers in multilingual societies.

pp.130-145

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