Adult Minority Language Learning: Motivation, Identity and Target Variety

This book examines the role of affective variables in the process of learning a minority language. It presents a comprehensive account of how adult learners’ attitude, motivation and identity are related to their awareness of, and commitment to, different dialects and varieties as target speech models. These issues are examined in the context of Irish, a minority language which does not have a standard spoken variety and where the vast majority of learners have no regular contact with native speakers. Using a mixed methods research approach, this study explores the relationships that exist between, on the one hand, learners’ attitudes towards the three main traditional dialects of Irish and non-traditional second language varieties, and on the other, their motivation and self-concept as second language learners.

Colin J. Flynn is Assistant Professor in Applied Linguistics at Trinity College Dublin. He is currently a member of the Royal Irish Academy’s Coiste Léann na Gaeilge, Litríocht na Gaeilge agus na gCultúr Ceilteach [the Irish Language, Irish Literature, and Celtic Studies Committee] and an Executive Committee member of the Irish Association for Applied Linguistics. His research and teaching are focused on second-language learning, minority language revitalisation, bilingualism and multilingualism. His publications include books and articles on second language learning theories, language teaching methods, L2 attitudes, motivation, and identity, and metalinguistic knowledge.