Multilingualism in Italian Migrant Settings [Paperback]

Multilingualism in Italian Migrant Settings investigates the plural linguistic practices of the migrants in a particular refugee centre in Italy, the CAS (centri di accoglienza straordinaria; extraordinary refugee centre).

This book offers a practical and rigorous study of contact situations surrounding migrants from areas with complex repertoires. Language is inherently connected to migration, especially through its role as a principal tool for communication.

This volume places multilingualism in migratory contexts to comprehend how plurilingual migrants move freely between languages, and to evaluate their role in the linguistic landscape of the host country.

This monograph will appeal to scholars specialising in sociolinguistics and contact linguistics. The volume will also be informative for postgraduate students in the field of sociolinguistics, with a focus on migration and language use.

List of figures and tables

Acknowledgements

INTRODUCTION: Beyond borders: global changes and linguistic challenges in migratory contexts

CHAPTER 1: The European migrant crisis

1.1  Migrations and migratory policies in Europe

1.2  Unauthorised migrations in Italy

1.3  Migration and language

CHAPTER 2: The sociolinguistics of (im)migration

2.1  Multilingualism, speech community, and repertoires

2.2  The sociolinguistics of (im)migration across time and space

2.3  Multilingualism in postcolonial countries

2.4  Status and function of a language

2.4.1        Geopolitical factors