Paul McIlvenny, Pirkko Raudaskoski

Figuring the transnational ?Child-to-be-adopted?: The web as a virtual sociocultural contact zone for intercountry adoption

Introduction

Figuring the transnational ?child-to-be-adopted?: the web as a virtual sociocultural contact zone for intercountry adoption. Unpack "child-to-be-adopted" in transnational adoption. This study analyzes the web as a virtual sociocultural contact zone, examining parents' online diaries and kinship discourses.

Abstract

This paper presents our research which is part of a larger project that explores how to track and understand the linguistic, discursive and sociocultural contact zones or networks brought about by intercountry adoption. Using mediated discourse analysis, critical discourse analysis, membership categorisation analysis and interaction analysis, the project attempts to trace a host of discourses and contingent practices of care and kinship that are heterogeneously assembled to ?translate? a child (legally and/or willingly) from one familial ?place? or network in the world to another, crossing linguistic, sociocultural, racial, class and national boundaries in the process. We introduce in this paper our first observations of the discursive construction of the ?child-to-be-adopted? in the pre-adoption stage. We focus on the crucial role of the ?intimate public sphere? of the Internet from the parents? point-of-view, specifically their personal web pages and online diaries that anticipate the ?transnational? mobility of the ?waiting? or abandoned child in a faraway place.

Review

This paper, "Figuring the transnational ?Child-to-be-adopted?: The web as a virtual sociocultural contact zone for intercountry adoption," presents a highly relevant and timely exploration into the complex linguistic, discursive, and sociocultural dynamics of intercountry adoption. By conceptualizing the "web as a virtual sociocultural contact zone," the authors introduce an innovative lens through which to examine the intricate processes involved in "translating" a child across familial, linguistic, racial, class, and national boundaries. This initial paper, as part of a larger project, commendably narrows its focus to the pre-adoption stage, specifically the discursive construction of the "child-to-be-adopted," offering crucial foundational insight into this often-overlooked phase. A significant strength of this research lies in its robust, multi-faceted methodological approach, integrating mediated discourse analysis, critical discourse analysis, membership categorisation analysis, and interaction analysis. This interdisciplinary toolkit is exceptionally well-suited to unravel the heterogeneous assembly of discourses and contingent practices of care and kinship. The decision to center on the "intimate public sphere" of the Internet, particularly parents' personal web pages and online diaries, provides a rich and authentic data source. This focus allows for a nuanced understanding of parental anticipation and the symbolic construction of the child's transnational mobility, moving beyond purely legal or administrative perspectives to capture the deeply personal and emotional dimensions. While this paper effectively presents valuable "first observations," it successfully lays the groundwork for the larger project, highlighting the potential for deeper insights into the evolving contact zones of intercountry adoption. Future work from this project might benefit from further exploring the interplay between the "willingly" and "legally" translated child, or how these anticipated discourses manifest or shift post-adoption from the child's or birth family's perspective. Nevertheless, this contribution stands out for its theoretical sophistication and innovative empirical focus. It promises to significantly advance our understanding of intercountry adoption as a site of complex discursive and sociocultural negotiation, and I strongly recommend its publication as a valuable addition to the field.

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