Adolescent second language literacy: Language‐culture, literature, and identity

Abstract The process of reconceptualizing identity as it relates to re‐representing oneself in a second language‐culture is considered in relation to the interface between language, culture, and cognition. Through discussing language and its use in the contexts of literary texts, it is suggested that adolescent second language speakers of English can both better come to understand the second culture as embedded in the language and to feel more comfortable with expressing their sense of self through language. Concepts deriving from the philosophy of language, sociolinguistics, cognitive linguistics, and sociocultural theory are utilized in this effort. Pedagogical recommendations are also provided.