Methodological Principles for Researching Multilingually: Reflections on Linguistic Ethnography

Linguistic ethnography provides insight into how communication occurs between individuals and institutions, while situating these local actions within wider social, political historical contexts (Copland & Creese, 2015) has proven to be a particularly effective tool for developing our understanding of individuals’ lived multilingual realities (see Unamuno, 2014) societal multilingualism. Turning the ‘reflexive gaze’ that is central (Clifford Marcus, 1986) back onto linguistic itself, we argue where complex interactions are object study, more attention must given multilingualism affects each aspect process actually doing ethnography. In this paper outline development three principles put forward as being essential in conducting contemporary settings. The are: 1) Researching multilingually; 2) collaboratively; 3) responsively.