Naturalisierung in und durch Sprachenporträts

Eine linguizismuskritische Analyse

Abstract

This article explores the dimension of naturalization as a linguicist practice in the context of language-reflexive methods with a particular focus on the language portrait as a widely used tool for representing multilingualism. From a critical perspective on naturalization, it examines the extent to which efforts to empower multilingual students may also contribute to the (re)production of naturalizing (self-)attributions and language-ideological assumptions. Central to the discussion is the question of how language(s), the body, and belonging are interconnected through the application of this method. The authors highlight the risk of assigning individual responsibility for the (non-)use of languages and advocate for addressing linguistic power relations within educational spaces. Rather than fostering individual feelings of accountability, the goal should be to enable reflection on how societal structures shape processes of subjectivation.