How to research multilingually : possibilities and complexities.

Abstract

This chapter aims to develop researchers’ awareness and understanding of the process of researching multilingually—where they must use, or account for the use of, more than one language in the research process. We provide a conceptual framework that guides researchers in: 1) realising that using more than one language is possible; 2) considering the interconnecting possibilities and complexities of researching multilingually, e.g. being reflexive and reflective, considering the spaces of the research, and the relationships entailed in the research context; and 3) becoming purposeful about the decisions they make in all phases of the research process, e.g. from the initial design of the project, to engaging with different literatures, to developing the methodology and considering all possible ethical issues, to generating and analysing the data, to issues of representation and reflexivity when writing up and publishing. The chapter draws on examples from the authors’ AHRC-funded network project Researching Multilingually (AHJ005037/1).