Final Project: Life History

Your subject should be somebody who has experienced living in two cultures, for example an immigrant, refugee, expatriate, or foreign visitor. Look for someone in your network of friends and family, or in your neighborhood or place of work, who might be receptive to you. You do not need to know them well. Make sure they agree to be interviewed and recorded for this project. They can remain anonymous if they wish.

Meet your subject at a time and place that is convenient for them. Be a good guest/host, a good listener, and a sympathetic interlocutor. Have a list of questions, but don’t feel you have to stick to it. As soon as possible following the session, write down the most important points and your general impressions. This will help you in the write-up stage.

Listen back to the whole interview at least once. As you do, note the timer markings of the most important passages in the recording timeline, and listen to those particular passages repeatedly. Select a passage (about 3-4 pages) for a word-for-word transcription, of which 2 pages will be a narrow transcription marked with symbols used in CA analysis.

A total of 8 pages

of which 4 pages are your summary and analysis,

and 4 pages are transcription or translation

(includes 2 pages of narrow CA transcription)

Your summary and analysis section should include the following:   

Name (or pseudonym), basic profile, how you know the subject, where you conducted the interview, language of interview, type of recording (audio, video, notes)

Your overall impression including age, gender, cultural background, speech communities, personality, demeanor, presentation of self, body language, openness or reluctance, manner of speech, philosophical outlook

Summary of life story, with an emphasis on bicultural experiences.