belonging and acculturation

[Sean Devitt]

Dear All
A post-graduate student of mine is seeking help with a language phenomenon she
found with children transiting in Ireland many of whom were English L1
speakers. She describes it as follows:

"I am seeking feedback from researchers or teachers who have encountered native
speaker reports of difficulty with accents, slang, and word meaning when
transitioning between cultures.  I am doing post-graduate research in education
on belonging and acculturation in upper elementary/primary students who are
cultural transitors.  In interviews every student has mentioned experiences of
alienation and discomfort relating to accents, slang, expletives, and unknown
terms.  They were not asked about lanugage, but generally gave it as the first
example of what made them different from other students.  The native English
speakers were of American, Canadian, Indian, and European origins transiting to
Ireland.  Any definitions, terminology, theories or similar findings would be
most appreciated." Her affiliation and email address are Laurie Tasharski
tasharsl at tcd.ie Trinity College Dublin

I wonder has anyone else come across this phenomenon.
For the moment, replies can be sent to me (sdevitt at tcd.ie) until such time as
she has managed to join the list.
Best wishes
Sean Devitt

Dr. Seán Devitt, F.T.C.D.
Senior Lecturer in Education,
Education Department,
Trinity College, University of Dublin
Dublin, Ireland.
Phone: (353 1) 608 1293.