The improvised language of solidarity: Linguistic practices in the participatory labour-organizing processes of multi-ethnic migrant workers

Cioce, Gabriella; Korczynski, Marek; Però, Davide

Abstract

There are considerable language barriers facing the potential collective labour organization of multi-ethnic migrant workers. From the research literature, we know little about linguistic practices that might overcome these barriers. Based on an ethnographic study of the participatory organizing of S.I. Cobas multi-ethnic migrant workers in the Italian logistics sector, we point to three linguistic practices that help overcome language barriers – translation, lingua franca and humour. We theorize these three linguistic practices as constituting an ‘improvised language of solidarity’. We argue that an improvised language of solidarity develops from, and can significantly support, participatory organizing.

Citation

Cioce, G., Korczynski, M., & Però, D. (2023). The improvised language of solidarity: Linguistic practices in the participatory labour-organizing processes of multi-ethnic migrant workers. Human Relations, 76(12), 1855-1880. https://doi.org/10.1177/00187267221119775

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Jul 8, 2022
• Online Publication Date: Aug 2, 2022
• Publication Date: 2023-12
• Deposit Date: Aug 5, 2022
• Publicly Available Date: Aug 5, 2022
• Journal: Human Relations
• Print ISSN: 0018-7267
• Electronic ISSN: 1741-282X
• Publisher: SAGE Publications
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 76
• Issue: 12
• Article Number: 001872672211197
• Pages: 1855-1880
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/00187267221119775
• Keywords: multi-ethnic migrant workers; migrant workers; language; solidarity; improvised language of solidarity; ethnography; SI Cobas; participatory organizing; communities of struggle
• Public URL: https://nottingham-repository.worktribe.com/output/9588159
• Publisher URL: https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/00187267221119775