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Acculturation through the lens of language: Syrian refugees in Canada and Germany

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  26 October 2020

Katrin Lindner ,
Kathleen Hipfner-Boucher Open the ORCID record for Kathleen Hipfner-Boucher [Opens in a new window] ,
Anna Yamashita ,
Claudia Maria Riehl ,
Mohcine Ait Ramdan  and
Xi Chen
Katrin Lindner
Affiliation:
Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München
Kathleen Hipfner-Boucher*
Affiliation:
University of Toronto
Anna Yamashita
Affiliation:
University of Toronto
Claudia Maria Riehl
Affiliation:
Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München
Mohcine Ait Ramdan
Affiliation:
Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München
Xi Chen
Affiliation:
University of Toronto
*
*Corresponding author. E-mail: khibou59@gmail.com
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Abstract

The objective of our study was to investigate the acculturation experiences of Syrian refugee families in two contexts (Toronto, Canada, and Munich, Germany) 2 years postresettlement. Specifically, using qualitative methodologies, we examined acculturation orientation through the lens of parent and child minority and majority language use and preferences within multiple contexts. The interview data related to parent and child minority and majority language practices in Canada suggested an integration orientation. Those of families living in Germany were less indicative of a clear orientation; contextual factors restricted parents’ participation in the majority culture, while the youngest of their children tended toward assimilation. Our study revealed similarities and differences in the acculturation experiences of Syrian refugees in Canada and Germany and unveiled specific factors that influenced acculturation orientation in each country.

Keywords

acculturationlanguage preferencelanguage userefugees
Type
Original Article
Information
Applied Psycholinguistics , Volume 41 , Special Issue 6: The Language, Literacy and Social Integration of Refugee Children and Youth , November 2020 , pp. 1351 - 1374
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Copyright
© The Author(s), 2020. Published by Cambridge University Press

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