Non-conformity to ENL norms: a perspective from Chinese English users

Abstract

Abstract English as a lingua franca (ELF) research poses challenge to mainstream English language teaching (ELT) in terms of its exclusive reference to English as a native language (ENL). On the other hand, some studies have been conducted to show that non-native English speakers (NNESs) have an aspiration for ENL and, in turn, add emphasis to ELT practitioners' effort in helping NNESs to approximate native English speaker (NES) competence. In response to the debate, this paper focuses on Chinese English speakers' perceptions of (non-)conformity to ENL in order to offer insights into the extent to which NNESs are ENL-(in)dependent. This paper draws on the data contributed by 502 Chinese university students and 267 Chinese professionals through questionnaires and interviews. The questionnaire responses displayed a slightly positive orientation towards instances of non-conformity to ENL norms and revealed the respondents' choice between the formulaic conformity and the functions of non-conformity. The interviews unfolded the tension between exonormative and endonormative orientations to English. The participants' exonormative orientations reflect their belief in the centrality of NESs to norms of English use, their conceptualization of English as a fixed entity, and their aspiration for social advantages that they believe the conformity to ENL norms can bring to them. Their endonormative orientations relate to their acknowledgement of the communicative function of English that diverges from the norms of ENL and their concern for their cultural identity, which they believe conflicts with the conformity to ENL norms. This paper thus demonstrates that the preference for ENL is only one side of NNESs' attitudinal picture. Further, the reasons behind this preference point to the need for change from monolithic English to pluralistic Englishes in mainstream ELT.