Translanguaging space: prolegomena for an integrational critique

Abstract

Through an article entitled Translanguaging Space (2011), Li Wei, a leading scholar of the trans- framework, unfolds his primary account of translanguaging. Providing a set of much-cited definitions and influential theoretical mantras, the piece enjoys a fundamental status in translanguaing theorization (See e.g., García & Li, 2014; Li, 2018). However, this primary and influential theoretical effort is not unproblematic since, as this article will show, it epitomizes a set of paradoxical viewpoints and a hybrid understanding of language and communication. Thus, this article contends that the notion of translanguaging space and its alleged functions/values cannot be taken for granted. Taking issue with the notion of translanguaging space, the present work will outline an introductory critique from an integrational perspective (See Harris, 1996), to contest the validity of claimed functions of translanguaging space and promised values of translanguaging. The work also aims to shed light on preliminary questions about the notion of translanguaging space and hopefully could invoke further discussion. In terms of significance, this article will highlight deficiencies of translanguaging theory and contribute to an integrational critique on the hybrid linguistic theory, i.e., translanguaging.