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International Research on Multilingualism: Breaking with the Monolingual Perspective pp 13–26Cite as

Dominant Language Constellation as a Method of Research

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Part of the book series: Multilingual Education ((MULT,volume 35))

Abstract

The contribution will explore the grounds for employing Dominant Language Constellation (DLC) as an additional approach to the time-honored methods of research in multilingualism. Dominant Language Constellation is a group of one’s most important languages, functioning as an entire unit, and enabling an individual to meet all needs in a multilingual environment. Unlike linguistic repertoire, which embraces all the skills and registers of all the acquired languages, the Dominant Language Constellation includes only the vehicle languages of a person. Communal DLCs are manifestations of how societal multilingualism occurs through linguistic practices. This paper develops the DLC theory further. After some theoretical considerations on the complementary but distinct concepts DLC and language repertoire, the article will demonstrate what kind of research can be done with the help of the DLC approach. It will suggest ways to investigate the particularities of evolving DLCs in various contexts from linguistic, sociolinguistic and applied linguistic disciplinary angles, taking into consideration the particular research interest, the demands of the situation and the desired amount of detail.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. International School, Oranim Academic College of Education, Kiryat Tiv’on, Israel

    Larissa Aronin

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  1. Larissa Aronin
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Correspondence to Larissa Aronin .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Center for Teacher Education, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria

    Eva Vetter

  2. Department of Linguistics, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria

    Eva Vetter

  3. Department of English, University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Tyrol, Austria

    Ulrike Jessner

  4. Department of Applied Linguistics (Multilingualism Doctoral School), University of Pannonia, Veszprém, Hungary

    Ulrike Jessner

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Aronin, L. (2019). Dominant Language Constellation as a Method of Research. In: Vetter, E., Jessner, U. (eds) International Research on Multilingualism: Breaking with the Monolingual Perspective. Multilingual Education, vol 35. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-21380-0_2

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-21380-0_2

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  • Publisher Name: Springer, Cham

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-030-21379-4

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-030-21380-0

  • eBook Packages: EducationEducation (R0)

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