Language and Identity in a Multilingual, Migrating World

Multilingualisms vary. Given such variation, how can those from essentially monochromatic,

monolingual backgrounds begin to appreciate the colorful multilingual

realities of the majority world? This question led to the symposium Language and

Identity in a Multilingual, Migrating World, May 10-15, 2018, in Penang, Malaysia.

This resulting four-part collection of papers:

focuses on diff erent models for understanding the dynamics of multiples-multiple

languages, multiple identities, and the relationship between the two

looks at varying social and geographic contexts of multilingualism, including urban,

diaspora, refugee, and cross-border settings

examines the history and adequacy of the term "heart language" as it has come to be

used especially by organizations and practitioners of Bible translation in the West

describes a range of multilingual situations in South Asia, Central Asia, Europe,

Madagascar, and Africa

The concluding chapter seeks to build on the contributions of the overall symposium by

suggesting a research agenda for furthering our understanding of language and identity in

our multilingual, migrating world.