Multiple Legitimate Language Games in Family Serendipitous Science Engagement

Abstract

In this paper, I explore the nature of family-based Serendipitous Science Engagement, analyzing a case of three children and a mother engaging with bugs they discovered in their yard. Employing linguistic ethnography methods, the analysis reveals how the absence of designated goals afforded legitimate multiple "language games", which supported each other. Guided participation entailed authentic sense-making modeling and gradual participation in the sense-making game, without abandoning other games. Theoretical and practical implications are discussed.