Adulthoods in Several Languages: Constructions of Self and of Language

Abstract

Eighteen of the 24 research participants had moved countries and changed languages, in a variety of circumstances, in their adolescence or adulthood. For several individuals, this move had been their second change of language and/or country. Many of these individuals had moved for education or work opportunities, constructed as choice, while some had moved because of difficult circumstances — for example, escaping occupation or war. A few individuals had found themselves unable to return to their countries of origin for political reasons. In this chapter I examine the meanings given to these changes of language and context, and how individuals constructed themselves in relation to these.