What the study found
The study found that online translingual practices, including Chinese-English mixing and the use of other languages, scripts, symbols, and styles, are varied and complex. These practices can express linguistic diversity and fluidity, but the use of English in neoliberal settings may also align with socioeconomic differences and prompt resistant attitudes locally.
Why the authors say this matters
The authors conclude that looking at widely circulated styles and stereotypes in social media discourse helps deepen understanding of linguistic diversity and choice. They say this also sheds light on neoliberal power structures in the workplace and civic society.
What the researchers tested
The researchers studied Chinese-English mixing and translingual practices in the context of neoliberal multilingualism, which refers to multilingual language use shaped by market-oriented social conditions. They combined critical discourse analysis with descriptions of sociopolitical contexts and examined social media users' translingual performances, multimodal quotes, affective expressions, metapragmatic discussions, and ideological manifestations.
What worked and what didn't
The analyses revealed dynamic online uses of English, Taiwan Mandarin, Japanese, and other languages, along with scripts, symbols, and styles. The study also found that translingual practices can be used to show diversity and fluidity, while neoliberal uses of English may stratify along socioeconomic lines or lead to resistant attitudes at the local level.
What to keep in mind
The abstract does not describe specific limitations. The findings are based on social media discourse and the sociopolitical contexts discussed in the article, so the scope appears to be centered on those settings.
Key points
- The study examined Chinese-English mixing and translingual practices under neoliberal multilingualism.
- Online language use included English, Taiwan Mandarin, Japanese, and other languages, scripts, symbols, and styles.
- Translingual practices could display linguistic diversity and fluidity.
- Neoliberal uses of English may stratify along socioeconomic lines.
- The study also found local resistant attitudes in some cases.
Disclosure
- Research title:
- Online translingual practices show linguistic diversity and stratification
- Authors:
- Mei-Ya Liang, Chih-Cheng Wang, Shu-Ning Lee
- Institutions:
- National Central University, National Taiwan Normal University, University of Taipei
- Publication date:
- 2026-03-07
- OpenAlex record:
- View
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