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Appendix 1: Transcript of Rina’s

Think Aloud Protocol (Uncorrected)

(March 14, 2001: 3 days before the end of elementary school, sixth grade:
12 years old)

Why my Life is Special

I feel my life is special because I am bilingual. Being bilingual has many
benefits. I can speak, read and write in both English and Japanese, which
helps me make friends in both cultures. I also feel that being bilingual
expands my future. Meaning that there are many jobs that only people like
I can do. For example, translating tourist guides etc.
I also feel my life is special because I have at least five very close
bilingual girlfriends. Because we are all bilingual, we all know how
eachother feels about problems at school. For instance, if someone at
school says something mean to a friend A, we all listen and give her and
eachother advice and share our own similar stories. Leaving us all feeling
well informed for when we are in similar situations. We can also trust
eachother and we are all very close, which I think plays an important role
in special lives.

(Note: The English errors in this transcript have not been corrected.)
Copyright @ 2010. Multilingual Matters.

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