Translation as translanguaging

Abstract

This chapter aims to examine the strategic and flexible use of translation and the marking of named languages through the translanguaging lens in multilingual karate clubs in London, drawing data from the ethnographic project entitled ‘Translation and translanguaging: Investigating linguistic and cultural transformations in superdiverse wards in four UK cities’ (abbreviated as TLANG). Specific attention is paid to the Key Participant’s use, or not, of translation as marking the differences between named languages in different contexts for different purposes. Two key arguments this chapter would like to make are: translation as translanguaging; acts of distinction as manifested in marking language boundaries and delineating language differences are acts of translanguaging, just as blending and mixing named languages.