Abstract:

Against the backdrop of English as a lingua franca (ELF) increasingly becoming the dominant mode of international communication, English users’ identity perceptions and language practices have shown a trend toward diversification. However, systematic empirical research on ELF identity types among Chinese English majors remains relatively limited. As a mixed-methods approach that integrates both emic and etic perspectives, Q methodology is particularly effective in uncovering the internal structure of individuals’ subjective cognition. This study employed Q methodology to examine English majors’ ELF identity profiles and their influencing factors. The findings identified three distinct ELF identity profiles: instrument-oriented users of standard English, culture-oriented ELF users, and ambivalent multilingual users of English. These profiles were primarily shaped by sociocultural contexts, significant others, and individual factors. This study not only contributes to empirical research on ELF identity in the Chinese context but also offers insights for foreign language education and the development of intercultural competence.

Keywords: English as a lingua franca; ELF identity; Q methodology; language learner identity; English varieties

摘要：

在英语通用语（ELF）日益成为国际交流主流形态的背景下，英语使用者的身份认知与语言实践呈现出多元分化的趋势，但当前针对中国英语专业学习者ELF身份类型的系统性实证研究仍较为匮乏。Q方法作为一种整合主位与客位视角的混合研究方法，能够有效揭示个体主观认知的内在结构。本文采用Q方法探究英语专业大学生的英语通用语身份轮廓及其影响因素。研究发现，英语专业大学生英语通用语身份轮廓有3种：工具取向的标准英语使用者、文化取向的英语通用语使用者和矛盾的多元英语使用者。这些英语通用语身份轮廓主要受社会文化环境、重要他者和个人因素的影响。本研究既丰富了中国语境下英语通用语身份的实证研究，也为外语教育与跨文化能力培养提供了启示。

关键词: 英语通用语, 英语通用语身份, Q方法, 语言学习者身份, 英语变体