Author: Sumanthra Govender

Exploring thoughts while Riding the Waves of Variation (by Sumanthra Govender)

~ Sumanthra Govender ~ 2 Comments

 

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BILD has given me the opportunity to discover multiple points of view about socio-cultural change and identity fluidity. This safe space has also allowed me to delve into and question different aspects of linguistic change and diversity. An inherent characteristic of language is its variation. In recent months, I’ve been thinking about the dynamics of language variation: how languages move on, change, and diversify themselves from their “root”. I’ve also had similar thoughts about the speakers of these languages. With my research focus on minority language communities, specifically adult heritage language learners and mixed heritage identities, I’ve been wondering how these learners and their identities are being realised in relation to the “three waves of language variation” (Eckert, 2012) in sociolinguistics. Continue reading →

‘Native-like’: What or Who does it represent? (by Sumanthra Govender)

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“The concept of “native-like” proficiency is a moving target, which isn’t fighting fair. What is a native speaker, really? It’s becoming more and more difficult to define. The fact is, people speak the language(s) they know lots of different ways. The ways that people speak the language(s) they know relates to more than just the order they learned them in, for example, their education, experiences, and more. And, as my BILD colleague, Sumanthra, pointed out to me when we were talking about this topic, there are so many different groups around the world who use English, begging the question, which group has “ownership” of native-like proficiency? In other words, whose “native-like” proficiency should be considered the model? It’s simply not possible to define or answer these questions.” (Godfrey-Smith, 2016)

The excerpt above was written by my BILD colleague Lauren in her most recent post about the desired ‘native-speaker proficiency’ end goal many students aim for in their language studies. Her post is the springboard for this piece, where my purpose is to explore the effect of the “native-speaker” narrative on not only students but educators as well.  Continue reading →

Hello! My name is… (by Sumanthra Govender)

~ Sumanthra Govender ~ 1 Comment

In a recent conversation with a family friend about first names, she made a very poignant comment about hers; if she hadn’t changed her first name to what she currently goes by, she would have a very different view of herself. She was teased by other kids for her given name and she also really didn’t like it. It didn’t suit her; it wasn’t her. When she was old enough, she legally changed her name to a shortened version of her given name, and that’s who she is. Continue reading →

FaceTime reveals the need for real time. (by Sumanthra Govender)

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Like many people today, I have become accustomed to using a variety of technologies to stay in touch with my family and friends. Phone calls, emails, and text messages have made staying connected easy. However, my family and I prefer to use FaceTime over these other forms of communicative technologies because as we chat we get to see each other. This potentially allows us to have a more intimate encounter with each others’ whereabouts and daily grinds. I have utilised FaceTime’s services countless times to stay in touch with my parents, siblings, aunts and uncles, nieces and nephews in Alberta, Ireland , and the US. It has become our default means of weekly communication. Continue reading →

Stories have to be told or they die, and when they die, we can’t remember who we are or why we’re here. – Sue Monk Kidd (The Secret Life of Bees). (by Sumanthra Govender)

~ Sumanthra Govender ~ 1 Comment

I love going back to Edmonton whenever I get the chance. It’s where I’m from; it’s what I know; it’s part of who I am. Other than my friends and family, there are many things I miss about Edmonton: the clean smelling air, the river valley close to my house, and the sound of the birds and the elephant from the zoo nearby… yes I did say elephant. Another thing I miss is hearing family stories.
Continue reading →