Measuring Voice in Poetry Written by Second Language Learners

Written Communication Jan 2015

Measuring Voice in Poetry Written by Second Language Learners

David I. Hanauer Indiana University of Pennsylvania

Abstract

There is increasing usage of creative writing in the ESL/EFL classroom based on the argument that this pedagogy develops writer’s voice, emotional engagement, and ownership. Within the context of teaching poetry writing to second language learners, the current article develops a scientific approach to ways in which voice can be measured and then empirically explores the claim that voice is present within poetry written by second language learners. The study explored this question: Do second language poetry writers have a discernable voice in their written poetry? This issue was investigated in two different ways: (a) utilizing human reader ratings of the likelihood that two poems were written by the same poet and (b) using computational linguistic methodology to explore systematic differences in specific linguistic features in poetry written by second language poets. The data presented here show that poetry written by the same L2 writer is more readily recognized as such and that relevant linguistic items have patterns of frequency of usage that are different for different poets. Together the two studies provide a compelling case that voice is measureable and present in the poetry written by second language learners.

Journal: Written Communication
Published: 2015-01-01
DOI: 10.1177/0741088314563023
Open Access: Closed
Topics: multilingual writers voice and style creative writing

Citation Context

Cited by in this index (3)

Nicholes (2025)

Ownership, Accuracy, and Aesthetics: University Writers’ Perceptions of GenAI Poetry

Written Communication
Krasova et al. (2024)

Multilingual English second language students’ voice in digital storytelling

Computers and Composition
Kraxenberger et al. (2022)

Wreading on Online Literature Platforms

Written Communication

Cites in this index (1)

Tardy et al. (2009)

The Construction of Author Voice by Editorial Board Members

Written Communication

Also cites 22 works outside this index ↓

10.4135/9781506374697

↗
10.1075/lal.19

↗
10.1075/lal.9

↗
10.1017/S0261444810000522

↗
10.1177/1077800412456960

↗
10.1177/1077800413489536

↗
10.1075/lal.19.01han

↗
10.1016/j.jslw.2003.08.001

↗
10.1075/etc.1.1.03hyl

↗
10.1057/9781137030825

↗
10.1016/S1060-3743(00)00036-9

↗
10.1057/9781137030825_10

↗
10.1016/j.esp.2006.10.001

↗
10.1007/978-1-137-11449-5_18

↗
10.1177/13670069010050030401

↗
10.1093/applin/amm008

↗
10.1016/S1060-3743(99)80112-X

↗
10.1146/annurev.ps.46.020195.003021

↗
10.1598/RRQ.46.1.4

↗
10.1075/lal.19.02spi

↗
10.1057/9781137030825_3

↗
10.1177/0261927X09351676

↗

CrossRef global citation count: 21 View in citation network →