DOI: 10.5176/2251-2853_3.2.157
Authors: Dr. Lan LO
Abstract:
Language and communication are playing a significant role between migrant communities and the host society as a consequence of globalization. However, migrant communities often experience greater difficulties in relation to integration in host countries from a language and communication perspective. Language and communication in this paper are seen as a media and bridge among service providers and users to achieve migrant workers’ integration. In this context, a case study of the Chinese community in the UK was done with the objective to investigate the main barriers and causes in relation to the role of language and communication for Chinese migrant workers integration. It analyzed the language and communication issues from two key aspects such as within the Chinese migrant community, between the Chinese and host society. Despite the relevance of this topic for its integration implications in the relevant literature, little effort has been made to examine the role of the language and communication barriers facing migrant workers. Thus, this paper covers that gap in the existing literature by analyzing participant observation and in-depth interview data obtained in the East Midlands area in the UK in 2009, 2011 and 2012. The results indicate a communication gap among official and unofficial service users and providers in migrant workers integration. An open language and communication network is suggested as an appropriate approach to improve migrant workers integration.
Keywords: language and communication, Chinese migrant community integration, open language and communication, UK
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