Dominant Language Constellations as an Approach for Studying Multilingual Practices

Abstract

The Dominant Language Constellation (DLC) is a group of one’s most important, vehicle languages, functioning as a whole, 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 most expedient languages for a person. (Aronin L. Dominant language constellations: an approach to multilingualism studies. In: Ó Laoire M (ed) Multilingualism in educational settings. Schneider Publications, Hohengehren, pp 140–159, 2006: 145; Aronin L. Multicompetence and dominant language constellation. In: Cook V, Wei L (eds) The cambridge handbook of linguistic multicompetence. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, pp 142–163, 2016). DLC as a model delimits, specifies, and systematises the data regarding how multilinguals and groups deal with multiple languages concurrently. Communal DLCs are manifestations of how societal multilingualism occurs through linguistic practices. Grounding on the complexity approach and Braudel’s longue durée perspective the chapter explores theoretical foundations for employing DLC as a unit of analysis of language practices and additional perspective to the time-honoured methods of research in multilingualism.