The eagle-eyed amongst you may have noticed there is something unusual about our name. Indeed, I have had a few followers ask me “why languaging,” and ever so often it is accompanied by the rather interesting question, “Has somebody registered ‘The Language Lab’ as a domain before you?” (I did just check – they are all over the Internet!). So, well done, followers! Anyway, today, I would like to explain briefly what “languaging” really means.
Merrill Swain (2006) argues that language is not merely a static product, but that it plays a significant role in mediating complex thoughts. When we write or speak, the processes we engage in actually help develop our cognitive abilities. The term “languaging” characterises such a process of negotiating and producing meaningful and comprehensible output, and draws attention to the constructive nature of such a task.
We all engage in “languaging” on a daily basis, for example, when we share a funny story with others or when we write an email to our boss. In situations where different types of language are involved simultaneously, however, the process becomes highly constructive and beneficial to our cognitive functioning.
An immigrant who has to negotiate the day-to-day complexities of using their own language and the language of their new resident country, for instance, will be developing highly technical “languaging” skills by doing so. Similarly, when a student is learning through the medium of a foreign language, their engagement with different linguistic elements from different sources is a highly complex process which is highly beneficial to them.
I chose to adopt the term “languaging” in our name because at the Lab, our multilingual and highly skilled Consultants use “language as a tool to mediate problem solutions,” where we see the problem and we offer you the solution. We help our clients to carry out “languaging” for the benefit of their career and/or education, and empower them to benefit from the cognitive development that such processes can offer.
Edison Tam MA MCIL CL is a Translator, Proofreader, and Copyeditor (zh-hk/en) who works with students, independent non-fiction writers, academic researchers, and clients from businesses and organisations of all sizes.
He is Chartered Linguist and Member of the Chartered Institute of Linguists (CIOL), and has undergone wide-ranging academic training in Business, Modern Languages, and Applied Linguistics in Hong Kong, London, and Barcelona.
Reference
Swain, M. (2006). Languaging, agency and collaboration in advanced second language proficiency. In H. Byrnes (Ed.), Advanced Language Learning: The Contribution of Halliday and Vygotsky (pp. 95-108). London: Continuum.
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