Co-constructing meaning through semi-understanding: conducting the sociolinguistic interview in an (un)known language

Abstract In my research I examine the linguistic practices of Moroccans in Spain, many of whom speak Moroccan Arabic as well as Modern Standard Arabic, Tamazight, French, English and Spanish at varying levels of proficiency. As part of my research, I conducted a 10-month linguistic ethnography. I was able to rely on my native English and near-native Spanish language skills for my research, but it was also necessary to use Modern Standard Arabic and even Moroccan Arabic in my sociolinguistic nterviews. I possess limited working knowledge of Modern Standard Arabic and even more limited knowledge of Moroccan Arabic. In this paper, I discuss one instance of conducting a sociolinguistic interview in Moroccan Arabic and Modern Standard Arabic. I conduct a discursive analysis of the interactional positioning and linguistic resources in this 46-min interview based on a perspective of “spaces of linguistic non-understanding.” I show how spaces of “linguistic semi-understanding” arise in the sociolinguistic interview which require the researcher to move beyond the genre of the interview. I also demonstrate how these spaces are intertwined with negotiations of social and cultural knowledge. Lastly, I highlight the challenges and opportunities afforded to researchers who work in communities and languages outside of their own.