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

Date

2020

Authors

Lindner, Katrin
Hipfner-Boucher, Kathleen
Yamashita, Anna
Riehl, Claudia Maria
Ramdan, Mohcine Ait
Chen, Becky Xi

Journal Title

Journal ISSN

Volume Title

Publisher

Cambridge University Press

Abstract

In this study, we examined the acculturation experiences of Syrian refugee families in two contexts: Toronto, Canada and Munich, Germany. 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 objective of the study was to describe the linguistic environment of Syrian refugee children in Toronto and Munich two years post-resettlement. 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.

Description

Article from the CYRRC project "Specific Needs in Literacy and Language Learning of Refugee Children: A comparison of Germany and Canada"

Keywords

Citation

Published Version: Lindner, K., Hipfner-Boucher, K., Yamashita, A., Riehl, C., Ramdan, M., & Chen, X. (2020). Acculturation through the lens of language: Syrian refugees in Canada and Germany. Applied Psycholinguistics, 41(6), 1351-1374.