Adult Minority Language Learning: Motivation, Identity and Target Variety

by Colin J. Flynn

Overview

This book examines the role of affective variables in the process of learning a minority language. It presents a comprehensive account of how adult learners’ attitude, motivation and identity are related to their awareness of, and commitment to, different dialects and varieties as target speech models. These issues are examined in the context of Irish, a minority language which does not have a standard spoken variety and where the vast majority of learners have no regular contact with native speakers. Using a mixed methods research approach, this study explores the relationships that exist between, on the one hand, learners’ attitudes towards the three main traditional dialects of Irish and non-traditional second language varieties, and on the other, their motivation and self-concept as second language learners.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781788927055
Publisher:	Multilingual Matters Ltd.
Publication date:	03/20/2020
Series:	Second Language Acquisition , #139
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	272
File size:	1 MB

About the Author

Colin J. Flynn is Assistant Professor in Irish at Dublin City University, Ireland.

Colin J. Flynn is Assistant Professor in Applied Linguistics at Trinity College Dublin. He is currently a member of the Royal Irish Academy’s Coiste Léann na Gaeilge, Litríocht na Gaeilge agus na gCultúr Ceilteach [the Irish Language, Irish Literature, and Celtic Studies Committee] and an Executive Committee member of the Irish Association for Applied Linguistics. His research and teaching are focused on second-language learning, minority language revitalisation, bilingualism and multilingualism. His publications include books and articles on second language learning theories, language teaching methods, L2 attitudes, motivation, and identity, and metalinguistic knowledge.

Table of Contents

Introduction                                 

Chapter 1. The Irish Language and Adult Learners of Irish                 

Chapter 2. The Native Speaker and Target Models in Second Language Acquisition

Chapter 3. Attitude, Motivation and Identity in Second Language Learning                               

Chapter 4. Research Methodology                                                         

Chapter 5. Stage I: Irish Language Questionnaire for Adult Learners       

Chapter 6. Stage II: Speaker Evaluation Exercise                    

Chapter 7. Stage III: Semi-structured Interviews                

Chapter 8. Discussion and Conclusions                                   

Editorial Reviews

Offering new insights into language attitudes in a minority language context, this volume makes a timely contribution to our understanding of the self-concept of adult language learners from an affective perspective. Flynn not only provides readers with a robust empirical account of learner attitudes within the Irish language context, but also sheds light on the challenge of language learning through the lifespan.

Lorna Carson

Written in a highly readable style, this book details the findings of an in-depth and timely study among adult language learners, investigating the role of motivation, language attitudes and linguistic identities in determining levels of acquisition of (varieties of) the Irish language. The book constitutes a valuable resource for researchers, teachers and students interested in second language acquisition, bilingualism and sociolinguistics.

Robert M. McKenzie

Flynn has provided a fascinating way into thinking about why adult learners choose one variety or another as he explores what motivates adult learners of minority languages. As such, [the book] provides a useful case study investigating adult learners’ attitudes which could be applied to other minority language contexts.

BAAL News, Issue 121, Summer 2022 - Rachel O’Neill

This is a remarkable ‘one-stop-shop’ for researchers and practitioners working in the general area of second language teaching and learning; full of stimulating ideas, enlightening insights and valuable references. This book breaks new ground in research on the learning of an L2 as a minority language and is a ‘must’ for all researchers, curriculum designers and teachers working in the area of adult second language learning.

Muiris Ó Laoire

In addition to the chapters dealing with methodology and results, Flynn also provides useful background information, reviewing the history of the decline of Irish, the growth of English dominance, the emergence of regional dialects, and national attempts at Irish revitalisation [...] There is a concise and historically informed review of second-language acquisition research on attitude, motivation and identity.

Journal of Multilingual and Multicultural Development, 2021 - Catherine L. Caldwell-Harris

Flynn has provided the field with an impressive and in-depth study of adult language learner seeking to acquire the Irish heritage language. This is a must-read book for researchers, educators, and students in the field of SLA and bilingualism. For those seeking to enhance their understanding of language learning in diverse contexts, this book provides valuable insight into language attitudes regarding native and non-native varieties, which encompasses learners’ awareness of such variants and aspirations toward native models.

International Journal of Bilingual Education and Bilingualism, 2020 - Sergio Loza