Speaker
Description
The dynamics of multilingualism is one of the most important and at the same time most challenging enquiry for researchers. The Dominant Language Constellation Approach (DLC) works as a lens to gain more situated and deep understanding of what happens between and within generations of multilinguals. The contribution will demonstrate how the Dominant Language Constellation Approach (DLC) is instrumental in revealing causal factors and patterns of change that may lead to malleability or stability of sociolinguistic arrangements across generations. At present, the studies on Dominant Language Constellations deal with teaching and learning, social linguistic arrangements and language interactions within a DLC (Hufeisen, 2018; Lo Bianco 2020; Moccozet & Böckh, 2023; Aronin 2025; Vetter 2025). Studies on DLC in a family are pioneered by Limacher-Riebold (2026). The unique so far stance with the focus on inter- and intra-generational dynamics taken by the CODILAC group – Convergence on Dominant Language Constellations: World Englishes in their multilingual ecologies” is outstandingly topical. In this contribution, I will discuss the current multilingual language practices and linguistic futures through the lens of DLC and outline the possible routes of DLC research in Inter - and Intra- generational perspective.
References
Aronin, L. (2025). Dominant Language Constellation (DLC). In Carol A. Chapelle (ed.). The Encyclopedia of Applied Linguistics Second edition. Wiley-Blackwell. https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1002/9781405198431.wbeal20226
Hufeisen, B. (2018). Models of multilingual competence. In A. Bonnet & P. Siemund (Eds.), Foreign language education in multilingual classroom (pp. 173–189). John Benjamins.
Limacher-Riebold, Ute (2026). DLC practices in multilingual families and school activities. The dynamic DLC of mobile multilingual families. In Aronin Larissa and Eva Vetter (Eds.) Dominant Language Constellations for Teachers: A practical dimension. (pp. TBA) Springer.
Lo Bianco, J. (2020). A meeting of concepts and praxis: Multilingualism, language policy and the Dominant Language Constellation. In J. Lo Bianco & L. Aronin (Eds.), Dominant Language Constellations: A new perspective on multilingualism (pp. 35–56). Springer.
Moccozet, L., & Böckh, M. (2023). Digital DLC models as instruments for raising awareness and better understanding of current multilingualism in HEI. In L. Aronin & S. Melo-Pfeifer (Eds.), Language awareness and identity: Insights via Dominant Language Constellation approach (pp. 45–65). Springer.
Vetter, E. (2025). Constellation Linguistique Dominante. In Sílvia Melo-Pfeifer & Christian Ollivier (Eds.) Encyclopédie de l'éducation plurilingue / Encyclopedia of plurilingual education. (pp.123-125). Peter Lang (collection Champs Didactiques Plurilingues).