Abstract
Language serves as a vessel for oceanic journeys—connecting distant shores, preserving oral traditions, and facilitating cross-cultural exchange. Investigating human interactions through linguistic diversity and language revitalization efforts are just some of the ways we honor the power of words and their ability to transcend borders and unite minds. There are almost 120 million displaced people worldwide. The refugee crisis has placed many countries under considerable pressure to accommodate and integrate large numbers of refugees and immigrants. Moving to a new country, forcibly or voluntarily, is a life-changing experience that comes with multiple challenges, ranging from difficulties in integration, language barriers, xenophobia, sexual abuse to isolation. The purpose of this study is to explore how refugee women encounter their social spaces and socialize in host communities through their language and literacy practices. The purpose is to explore how the women transition to life in the host country, the challenges they encounter during this transition, and the resilience they demonstrate. In this interpretative study, 35 purposively sampled women were selected, and two narratives were elicited for this paper. By drawing on narratives as a research method, insight was gained through the women’s life stories, and funds of knowledge. The study highlights that, despite the burdens and challenges encountered by the women, they demonstrate agency and remarkable resilience. Gaining insight through the women’s life stories and literacy practices has the potential to contribute to an understanding of factors that may contribute to their socialization and becoming agentive participants in the community.
Details
Presentation Type
Paper Presentation in a Themed Session
Theme
Communications and Linguistic Studies
KEYWORDS
REFUGEE WOMEN, LANGUAGE, LINGUISTIC JOURNEYS, NARRATIVES
