Author
Nimer, M., Rottmann, Susan Beth
Publication Date
2020-10
Publication Place
-
Sage
Subject
Sociology, Migration, Workers, Labor, Capitalism, Refugees, State, Work and economy
Type
Periodical
Language
English
Digital
Yes
Manuscript
No
Library
Özyeğin University
Library Asset ID
0896-9205
Record ID
2c674d7b-3cc1-4036-ab1d-3ba3f76ada91
Library Location
Humanities and Social Sciences
Date
2020-10
Notes
Mercator-IPC fellowship (2018-2019) at Istanbul Policy Center at Sabanci University ; Koc University ; European Union’s Horizon Europe
Sample Text
The literature on migration, language and employment is dominated by the human capital approach and promotes multilingualism as a universal good. This paper examines the relationship between language and work for migrants illustrating how they are ascribed value as capital according to their position and the "language part of work." First, we trace a genealogy of the migration regime in relation to the labor and linguistic market of migrants in Turkey, characterized by informality and exploitation. Then, we look at the experiences of refugees qualitatively to show how language is differentially valued and has modest effects on social mobility. We argue that language learning instead of stemming from individuals' possession of capital should be examined within a broader linguistic and employment framework. This research goes beyond conventional wisdom about the centrality of language as a means to improve employment by shedding light on the structure that shapes language value.
DOI
10.1177/0896920520964856
Cilt
47
