Reflection of Patricia Duff’s Paper on Transnationalism, Multilingualism, and Identity
In Duff’s article on transnationalism, she explores the complexities of identity formation through the lens of language and literacy, particularly focusing on how individuals navigate these elements across geographical and cultural borders. This perspective resonates with my transition across a different language and culture.
As I settled back into life in Taiwan, the Chinese language felt unfamiliar, almost foreign to me. I found myself clinging to English, the language that had become my comfort zone. From gadgets to social media settings, everything I could set to English, I did. Even now, more than two decades later, this practice persists. I think this linguistic habit goes beyond just a habit, but I like to think of it as a lingering embrace of an identity that was formed during my formative years in Singapore, which still holds a little bit of influence on me to this day.
Reflecting on Duff’s observations, I understand now that my grasp on the English language is more than just a preference, it’s a subconscious effort to hold onto a part of my past. As Duff’s concept puts it – how transnationalism and identity are intertwined with languages and literacies we use to navigate our worlds. It’s fascinating to see how language can play such a crucial role in shaping one’s identity and sense of belonging. In a way, my journey mirrors the experiences of many who find themselves navigating the complexities of different identities. Just like the subjects in Duff’s study, my own linguistic choices has been defining and redefining who I am. As I grapple between the two languages and culture, I often feel the sense of not quite belonging to either. This is perhaps the ‘hybrid sense of self’ that Duff describes as a common phenomenon among those with transnational experiences (Duff, 2015, p.448).
This realization beings new light to the fluid and complex nature of identity. It’s not static but evolves with every new experience and environment. The move from Singapore to Taiwan was not just a simple relocation, it was a pivotal chapter in my ongoing evolution of my personal identity, deeply defined by language and culture.
References
Duff, P.A (2015). ‘Transnationalism, multilingualism, and identity.’ Annual Review of Applied Linguistics, 35, pp. 57-80.