This paper delves into the identity constructions of Japanese young adults as users of English as a lingua franca on social media, with a specific focus on Instagram, a widely utilized platform among this demographic. Grounded in the premise that social media serves as a space for self-presentation, drawing from the social constructivist idea that the self is a performative act, the study centers on three Japanese young individuals with overseas experiences. It explores how they employ English as a communicative lingua franca in a transnational space while remaining highly conscious of their Japanese followers, endeavoring to portray idealized English-speaking selves. An ethnographic approach (Netnography) to the participants’ online practices involves prolonged online observations and interviews, seeking not only screen-based linguistic data but also uncovering the speakers’ voices behind the online screen. The findings illuminate that their identities as experienced English users evolves into a distinct aspiration to present themselves as competent English users. This aspiration is intricately attached to English ideologies, including native speakerism and the social status of English. The study provides valuable insights into the importance of scrutinizing the complex identity construction and language negotiation among speakers in ELF contexts, particularly within the realm of everyday online discourse. It sheds light on how young online users navigate between identities as English users and learners in the dynamic context of both global and local friendships.

中文翻译：

---

社交媒体中 ELF 用户的自我呈现：日本年轻人网络语言实践分析

本文深入研究了日本年轻人作为社交媒体上的通用语言用户的身份建构，特别关注了 Instagram（这一群体中广泛使用的平台）。该研究以社交媒体作为自我展示空间的前提为基础，借鉴了自我是一种表演行为的社会建构主义思想，以三名有海外经历的日本年轻人为对象。它探讨了他们如何在跨国空间中使用英语作为交际通用语言，同时保持对日本追随者的高度意识，努力描绘理想化的英语自我。对参与者在线实践的民族志方法（网络志）涉及长时间的在线观察和访谈，不仅寻求基于屏幕的语言数据，而且揭示在线屏幕背后说话者的声音。研究结果表明，他们作为经验丰富的英语用户的身份逐渐演变为一种独特的愿望，即展示自己作为有能力的英语用户。这种愿望与英语意识形态密切相关，包括母语和英语的社会地位。这项研究提供了宝贵的见解，说明了审查 ELF 环境中说话者之间复杂的身份建构和语言谈判的重要性，特别是在日常在线话语领域。它揭示了年轻的在线用户如何在全球和当地友谊的动态背景下在英语用户和学习者的身份之间进行导航。