Writer background and voice construction in L2 writing

Abstract

In the field of second language writing, some scholars argue that the concept of authorial voice is too culturally loaded to be accessible to L2 students, especially those from collectively-oriented cultures. Others, however, provide evidence, although not yet conclusive, showing that writers' cultural background may not affect their ability to construct an authorial voice. Given such conflicting arguments, and also in response to Tardy's (2012) call for research on the impact of extra-textual writer identity on voice construction, this study empirically examined the extent to which key writer background variables, such as age, gender, cultural background, and level of exposure to the target language and culture, may influence L2 writers' voice construction. Two hundred argumentative essays from L2 writers of various backgrounds were analyzed in terms of overall voice salience and use of individual voice elements. Correlational and regression analysis results showed that, overall, these variables had very limited, if any, impact on L2 writers' textual voice construction. The observed lack of strong association between voice salience and cultural background corroborates and supplements findings from previous research with a more qualitative approach, thus calling for a more cautious interpretation of the role of culture in voice development and L2 writing.