Dynamic Bilingualism to Dynamic Writing: Using Translanguaging Strategies and Tools

Abstract

This study is a qualitative analysis of a naturally occurring translanguaging phenomenon in the writing practices of fifteen high-scoring deaf bilingual adult writers. This study aims to identify translanguaging factors related to writing achievement and explore themes that emerge within an asset-based/antideficit, deaf bilingualism/Deaf Gain theoretical framework. Data were gathered by collecting, reviewing, coding, and identifying overarching themes in the interview transcripts. The findings show that high-scoring deaf participants utilized translanguaging writing strategies and tools such as translingual interdependence, language flexibility, semiotics and multimodalities, American Sign Language (ASL) drafting, and visual tracking skills that led to their writing achievement.

Keywords

• translanguaging
• dynamic bilingualism
• writing achievement
• deaf adults
• asset-based/antideficit
• Deaf Gain