Using Facebook as a Conduit to Communicate: Translanguaging Online

Abstract

This chapter describes the translanguaging practices of young Aboriginal adults when they use the social media site Facebook. It is apparent that their language use in this medium reflects the complex and diverse nature of their language backgrounds. Specifically, they use their range of linguistic resources, including traditional language words and Aboriginal English forms along with Standard Australian English, according to context and topic to successfully communicate with their audience about a variety of content and for a variety of purposes. In doing so they are also able to construct individual, multilingual, personal and cultural identities through deliberate linguistic choices, moving fluidly between the different forms within their language repertoires, demonstrating their ability to use and to benefit from their translanguaging practices.