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

Cioce, Gabriella; Korczynski, Marek; Però, Davide

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Authors

Gabriella Cioce

MAREK KORCZYNSKI MAREK.KORCZYNSKI@NOTTINGHAM.AC.UK
Professor of Sociology of Work and Human Resource Management

DAVIDE PERO davide.pero@nottingham.ac.uk
Associate Professor



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 Mar 28, 2024
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

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