Multilingual Matters Adult Minority Language Learning: Motivation, Identity and Target Variety (Second Language Acquisition): 139

Review Written in a highly readable style, this book details the findings of an in-depth and timely study among adult language learners, investigating the role of motivation, language attitudes and linguistic identities in determining levels of acquisition of (varieties of) the Irish language. The book constitutes a valuable resource for researchers, teachers and students interested in second language acquisition, bilingualism and sociolinguistics. --Robert M. McKenzie, Northumbria University, UK Offering new insights into language attitudes in a minority language context, this volume makes a timely contribution to our understanding of the self-concept of adult language learners from an affective perspective. Flynn not only provides readers with a robust empirical account of learner attitudes within the Irish language context, but also sheds light on the challenge of language learning through the lifespan. --Lorna Carson, Trinity College Dublin, Ireland This is a remarkable 'one-stop-shop' for researchers and practitioners working in the general area of second language teaching and learning; full of stimulating ideas, enlightening insights and valuable references. This book breaks new ground in research on the learning of an L2 as a minority language and is a 'must' for all researchers, curriculum designers and teachers working in the area of adult second language learning. --Muiris O Laoire, Institute of Technology, Tralee, Ireland Product Description This book examines the role of attitude, motivation and identity in the process of learning a minority language. It contains mixed-method empirical research which investigates how attitude, motivation and identity in adult learners of a minority language are related to their awareness of, and commitment to, different dialects and varieties of the language as learning targets. Specifically, it is concerned with the attitudes of adult learners of Irish towards acquiring various traditional (Gaeltacht) and non-traditional (second language) varieties of the language. It explores whether relationships exist between these attitudes towards varieties and learners' motivation and self-concept as second language speakers. About the Author Colin J. Flynn is an Assistant Professor in Irish at Dublin City University, Ireland.