Emotional Connections to Translanguaging and Upward Social Mobility: Albanian Immigrant Experience in the Context of Personal Success

• In Event: Exploring the Possibilities of Bilingual Education: Language Practices, Learning Interests, and Experiences of Adult Learners

Abstract

This study examines the intersection between language, emotion and identity through the translanguaging experiences of Albanian-English bilinguals. Participants include 12 Albanian-English bilinguals who share translanguaging experiences in relation to emotions. Data is analyzed and interpreted through the intersection with L1 (Albanian) and L2 (English). Participants engaged in a story-retelling narrative that revealed translanguaging experiences with L1 and L2. Collected data reflects both survey and interview procedures that reveal how different linguistic contexts allow speakers to perform different kinds of “selves” through translanguaging. This study should be of interest to educators who wish to examine the emotional context for language learning and translanguaging.

Authors

• Heriberto Godina, Texas A&M International University

• Oliana Alikaj-FIerro, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center