Linguistic incompetence: giving an account of researching multilingually

Phipps, A. (2013) Linguistic incompetence: giving an account of researching multilingually. International Journal of Applied Linguistics, 23(3), pp. 329-341. (doi: 10.1111/ijal.12042)

Abstract

This paper considers the place of linguistic competence and incompetence in the context of researching multilingually. It offers a critique of the concept of competence and explores the performative dimensions of multilingual research and its narration, through the philosophy of Judith Butler, and in particular her study Giving an account of oneself. It explores aspects of risk, justice, narrative limit and a morality of multilingualism in emergent multilingual research frameworks. These theoretical dimensions are explored through consideration of ‘linguistically incompetent’ ethnographic work with refugees and asylum seekers, in contexts of hospitality and in life long learning research in the Gaza Strip, and of early attempts to learn new languages. The paper offers a prospect of a relational approach to researching multilingually and affirms the vulnerability at the heart of linguistic hospitality.

• Item Type: Articles
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Phipps, Professor Alison
• Authors: Phipps, A.
• College/School: College of Social Sciences > School of Education > Creativity Culture and Faith; College of Social Sciences > School of Education > Culture, Literacies, Inclusion & Pedagogy
• Journal Name: International Journal of Applied Linguistics
• ISSN: 0802-6106
• ISSN (Online): 1473-4192
• Copyright Holders: Copyright © 2013 The Author
• First Published: First published in International Journal of Applied Linguistics 23(3):329-341
• Publisher Policy: Reproduced under a Creative Commons License