Language is at the heart of this issue of The Mouth and central to the triad migration – language – integration. All of the contributions to this issue focus on language and its intersection with migration and/or integration, and language also lies at the core of our own research. Migration – or to use a more neutral and inclusive term – mobility is considered to be the most decisive factor influencing life in the 21st century in a world characterized by cultural superdiversity. Whatever type of migration and migration itinerary a person pursues, has pursued or intends on pursuing, the process of learning of a new language or language variety, new registers, styles, and sociolinguistic patterns, is almost inevitable. A declared political aim of European countries and other countries in the global North is integration, inclusion and participation of immigrants permanently living in the country. This idea is based on the ideology of the nation state as a unit the members of which are essentially alike, i.e. having a common identity united in one territory and speaking one language. However, the suggested homogeneity is in fact imaginary, for several reasons.
Check out our brand-new episode with the amazing poet Yashika Graham. Get insights into her writing practices and poetry and listen to her performing one of her poems.
Listen to our brand new podcast episode with ethnomusicologist David Aarons on Reggae in Ethiopia and learn more about a fascinating translocal musical encounter.
