Towards Transculturality: English as a lingua franca in intercultural communication and in online language learning

邁向跨越文化性：以英語作為跨文化交流和線上語言學習的通用語言

Robert Godwin-Jones

《語文與國際研究》 23期 (2020/06) Pp. 23-54

https://doi.org/10.3966/181147172020060023002

摘要

With increasing social tensions in the world today from a variety of causes, one positive, pro-active measure educators (and others) can take is to bring together individuals from different cultural backgrounds in conversation or in common pursuits, in an effort to generate curiosity and encourage acceptance of cultural others. That in itself will not solve global crises, but it may ease divisions on a person-to-person scale. The approach advocated here is to leverage the worldwide network of English users and learners to create opportunities, especially online, for engaging with one another and with English language media. That process can lead to improving language skills and to students getting to know other English language speakers and communities. Furthermore, research in English as a lingua franca (ELF) has shown that interactions in that space make extensive use of negotiation and adaptation in regard to both language and culture, leading characteristically to a spirit of cooperation, accommodation, and solidarity. That outcome, however, is neither automatic nor universal. Nor are online exchanges without risk (Internet trolls, misinformation, addictiveness). Ideally, ELF English activities online can be mediated, if taking place in a formal instructional setting. In order to understand the unique position of English in today's world, it is helpful to place the use and study of ELF in the wider contexts of intercultural communication and of complex dynamics systems. Given the fluidity of people, language, and culture, it is asserted here that the term transculturality is today more appropriate than intercultural, as the latter implies a duality that belies today's cultural complexity.

關鍵字

English as a lingua franca ； intercultural communication ； online language learning ； complexity theory ； English language pedagogy

並列摘要

當今世界，由於各種原因造成的社會緊張局勢日益增加，教育學者（和其他人）可以採取的積極主動做法，是讓來自不同文化背景的個體進行對話或追求共同目標，以利產生好奇心並鼓勵接受他人的文化。雖然這本身並不能解決全球危機，但可以緩解人與人之間的分歧。這裡提倡的方法是利用英語使用者和學習者的全球網絡，尤其是線上，來創造機會使人與人、或與英語媒體進行互動。這個過程可以提高語言技能，並使學生認識其他英語使用者和社群。此外，以英語為通用語言（ELF）的研究表明，在這互動當中廣泛應用了語言和文化層面的溝通談判和調整適應，因而特別地創造了合作、包容、和團結的氣氛。但是，這種結果既非自動產生也不是普遍性的。而線上交流也不是沒有風險（網路酸民，假信息，網路成癮）。理想情況下，在正式的教學環境中進行ELF線上英語活動，是有媒介的功效。而將ELF的使用和研究置於更廣泛的跨文化溝通脈絡和複雜的多元系統中，是有助於瞭解英語在當今世界中獨特地位的。有鑑於人、語言和文化的流變，本文認為今日「跨越文化性」（transculturlity）一詞，應該比「文化間際」（intercultural）更合適，因為後者具二元性的暗喻，掩蓋了當今文化的複雜性。

並列關鍵字

英語為通用語言 ； 跨文化溝通 ； 線上語言學習 ； 複雜性理論 ； 英語教學法

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