Emerging second language writing identity and complex dynamic writing

Abstract

ABSTRACT Complex Dynamic Systems theory (CDS) has been widely used in the field of second-language acquisition (SLA). While adopting CDS to investigate second language writing (L2W) research, second language writing identity (L2WID) is little address in CDS. This study emerges the notions of CDS and L2WID, and reconceptualizes as an inclusive framework for future studies. The notion of L2 Complex dynamic writing is refined and it consists of writers’ heterogeneities, acts of agency, and attractors among systems. The studies of L2WID are reviewed and categorized in sociopsychological, sociocultural, and sociolinguistic perspectives. Emerging the features of L2 complex dynamic writing and L2WID provides a framework to fill in the gap between L2 writing performance and writers’ identities. This study contributes to three aspects. This study tailors the connection of L2 writing process and L2WID and offers an inclusive framework for those who are situated in L2 writing formal (classroom) or informal (social media) discourses to examine the power relations among L2 writing texts, selves, and relationships in their writing discourses. Ultimately, this framework fundamentally theorizes the nonlinear features of L2 complex dynamic writing with consideration of L2WID.