Learning Insular Nordic Languages: Comparative Perspectives on Migrants’ Experiences Learning Faroese and Icelandic
This article explores migrants’ language learning experiences in two small language communities in the West Nordic Region. We provide a comparative perspective based on an online survey and ethnographic interviews conducted in Iceland and qualitative research conducted in the Faroe Islands. A major...
| Main Authors: | , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Helsinki University Press
2022-09-01
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| Series: | Nordic Journal of Migration Research |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://journal-njmr.org/articles/474 |
| _version_ | 1811194545220616192 |
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| author | Lara Hoffmann Anna-Elisabeth Holm |
| author_facet | Lara Hoffmann Anna-Elisabeth Holm |
| author_sort | Lara Hoffmann |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | This article explores migrants’ language learning experiences in two small language communities in the West Nordic Region. We provide a comparative perspective based on an online survey and ethnographic interviews conducted in Iceland and qualitative research conducted in the Faroe Islands. A major finding from this study is that investment in language learning is a highly situated type of activity, which is contingent on personal circumstances, and on structural conditions. Prevailing language ideologies, such as purism and authenticity, can pose constraints on the language learning process among learners who are initially motivated to learn the language. Results show that many migrants follow a utilitarian approach to learning and perceived usefulness of languages influences participants’ linguistic choices. A lack of opportunities for language learning has been mentioned by learners in both places we investigate. |
| first_indexed | 2024-04-12T00:28:49Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-a65ccf4654f54d00afbbfc4ab5d9e753 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1799-649X |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-04-12T00:28:49Z |
| publishDate | 2022-09-01 |
| publisher | Helsinki University Press |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Nordic Journal of Migration Research |
| spelling | doaj.art-a65ccf4654f54d00afbbfc4ab5d9e7532022-12-22T03:55:25ZengHelsinki University PressNordic Journal of Migration Research1799-649X2022-09-0112310.33134/njmr.474409Learning Insular Nordic Languages: Comparative Perspectives on Migrants’ Experiences Learning Faroese and IcelandicLara Hoffmann0Anna-Elisabeth Holm1University in Akureyri, AkureyriUniversity of the Faroe Islands, TórshavnThis article explores migrants’ language learning experiences in two small language communities in the West Nordic Region. We provide a comparative perspective based on an online survey and ethnographic interviews conducted in Iceland and qualitative research conducted in the Faroe Islands. A major finding from this study is that investment in language learning is a highly situated type of activity, which is contingent on personal circumstances, and on structural conditions. Prevailing language ideologies, such as purism and authenticity, can pose constraints on the language learning process among learners who are initially motivated to learn the language. Results show that many migrants follow a utilitarian approach to learning and perceived usefulness of languages influences participants’ linguistic choices. A lack of opportunities for language learning has been mentioned by learners in both places we investigate.https://journal-njmr.org/articles/474language learningmigrationrural superdiversityinclusionicelandthe faroe islands |
| spellingShingle | Lara Hoffmann Anna-Elisabeth Holm Learning Insular Nordic Languages: Comparative Perspectives on Migrants’ Experiences Learning Faroese and Icelandic Nordic Journal of Migration Research language learning migration rural superdiversity inclusion iceland the faroe islands |
| title | Learning Insular Nordic Languages: Comparative Perspectives on Migrants’ Experiences Learning Faroese and Icelandic |
| title_full | Learning Insular Nordic Languages: Comparative Perspectives on Migrants’ Experiences Learning Faroese and Icelandic |
| title_fullStr | Learning Insular Nordic Languages: Comparative Perspectives on Migrants’ Experiences Learning Faroese and Icelandic |
| title_full_unstemmed | Learning Insular Nordic Languages: Comparative Perspectives on Migrants’ Experiences Learning Faroese and Icelandic |
| title_short | Learning Insular Nordic Languages: Comparative Perspectives on Migrants’ Experiences Learning Faroese and Icelandic |
| title_sort | learning insular nordic languages comparative perspectives on migrants experiences learning faroese and icelandic |
| topic | language learning migration rural superdiversity inclusion iceland the faroe islands |
| url | https://journal-njmr.org/articles/474 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT larahoffmann learninginsularnordiclanguagescomparativeperspectivesonmigrantsexperienceslearningfaroeseandicelandic AT annaelisabethholm learninginsularnordiclanguagescomparativeperspectivesonmigrantsexperienceslearningfaroeseandicelandic |