The Contribution of Various Dimensions of L۲ Identity to L۱ National Identity: A Case of the Iranian EFL Context

The two most important defining aspects of L۱ national identity are language and social belonging that are manifested through the individual’s inclinations toward the mother tongue or the official language and the sociocultural heritage of the country in which people are living. Moreover, based on the available literature, L۲ identity may also exert an influence over the L۱ national identity; however, this claim has not been securitized through valid large-scale and comprehensive surveys. Therefore, this study sought to shed light on the relationship between various second language identity dimensions (SLID) and L۱ national identity. A sample of ۱۰۱۸ Iranian EFL learners who were selected based on the purposive snowball sampling filled out a researcher-made and validated Multidimensional L۲ Identity Questionnaire (MLIQ) and a National Identity Questionnaire (NIQ). Data analysis using multiple regression revealed that the constructed SLID model could significantly contribute to the L۱ national identity. The results also showed that the following four dimensions of SLID were significant predictors of national identity: transitive vs. intransitive, convergent vs. divergent, homogeneous vs. heterogeneous, and active vs. passive dimensions. Among these, active vs. passive and convergent vs. divergent dimensions had strong contributions to explaining the degree of the L۲ national identity. These findings can help EFL teachers and learners develop a positive L۲ identity with balanced dimensions that also promotes L۱ national identity

Keywords:

Identity Dimensions , L۲ Identity , Multidimensional L۲ Identity Questionnaire (MLIQ) , National Identity