Migration, Adult Language Learning and Multilingualism: Critical Sociolinguistics Research with New Speakers of Faroese(Routledge Critical Studies in Multilingualism)

*2025 BAAL (British Association of Applied Linguistics) Book Prize WINNER* This book extends lines of inquiry at the nexus of migration, adult language learning, and multilingualism, illuminating the lived experiences of migrants in the Faroe Islands and critical new insights into sociolinguistics from the periphery. Building on recent epistemological shifts in research on minoritised languages, this volume integrates threads from scholarship on migration studies, new speakers, and critical sociolinguistics in examining blue-collar workplaces in the Faroe Islands. In bringing greater attention to these contexts, Holm showcases how these sites, when analysed via an ethnographic lens, reflect both the changing sociolinguistic landscape at the periphery in light of globalisation and adult language learners’ commitment to language learning as a form of personal and social investment. In shedding light on the specific case of Faroese, the volume critically reflects on the specific challenges involved in acquiring a small language in a bilingual context and on those impacting the sustainability of minoritised languages, including the increasing use of English, and the opportunities for stakeholders in language policy and planning to promote greater social inclusion for adult migrants. This volume will be of particular interest to students and scholars in critical sociolinguistics, linguistic anthropology, language education, migration studies, and applied linguistics.

Table of Contents:
1 Introduction A study with new speakers of Faroese Objectives and research questions The significance of the study and its contribution to research My own trajectory and my own perspectives as a researcher Overview of the volume Notes References 2 New times in the Faroe Islands: The social and historical context Introduction The socio-historical context for the study A historical portrayal of the sociolinguistic context ‘Normalization’ efforts: Language policy and planning New times and a changing sociolinguistic landscape Mobility and migration: Part of the culture Contemporary trends in in-migration in a changing sociolinguistic landscape Migrants, public discourses and integration policy and initiatives Characteristics of the labour market Multilingualism in the periphery Faroese as an Additional Language: Challenges and opportunities Availability of courses in Faroese language and culture Notes References 3 The conceptual framing of my research in the Faroes Introduction Conceptual shifts within sociolinguistics in the wake of globalisation A shift towards globalisation and contemporary mobilities A shift towards speaker trajectories A shift towards superdiversity, in rural areas as well as urban areas A shift towards the notion of new speaker (as opposed to non-native speaker)Recent research on language and transnational migration and the view from the periphery Language, migration and contemporary workplaces Language, border crossing and residence rights The view from the periphery Research into adult language learning in the context of migration The limitations of the traditional research approach to second language acquisition A critical framework focusing on situated investment in language learning An extended model of investment in language learning Capital Identity Ideology Adapting the extended model of investment in language learning to my research in the Faroes Notes References 4 Research methodology Introduction Critical sociolinguistic ethnography Fieldwork, methods and data collection Visits to the field: Moving from observer to co-worker The first phase: scoping the field The second fieldwork visit: Identifying research sites A brief third visit The fourth and fifth fieldwork visits: Moving from observer to worker The sixth fieldwork visit Other visits and data gathering opportunities Recruiting research participants The research participants The focal participants Research sites: blue-collar workplaces A multilingual cleaning company The two fish-processing plants The semi-structured interviews with the participants Interviews with employers in blue-collar workplaces My researcher diary, observations and the ethnographic protocols Other ethnographic data: Documents and photographs Ethics, reflexivity and researcher positioning Ethical considerations Researcher positioningMy approach to data analysis Notes References 5 Linguistic resources and language learning trajectories Introduction Linguistic resources and funds of knowledge from the country of origin Alex David Anna Joanna Natalia New linguistic resources developed in the Faroes Alex - a case of non-investment in new linguistic resources David’s disposition and reasons for not investing in Faroese Anna’s continuous investment in learning Faroese Joanna’s investment in Faroese and reflections on deskilling Natalia, a proficient new speaker of Faroese Language learning as situated practice Notes References 6 Linguistic resources and identities at work Introduction Fish-processing plants as workplaces in the Faroes Workplace observations during the first phase of fieldwork More detailed observations in one factory during the second phase of fieldwork Five focal participants: Language resources, funds of knowledge and identities Jelena Nita Eunita Lea NataliaIdentity disruption in the context of migration Note References 7 Language ideologies Introduction Ideologies and ideological currents in contemporary public discourses Media discourse in the Faroes about adult migrants’ language learning and about ‘integration’ The participants’ perceptions of the value of Faroese and the ideological conditions for language learning Participants’ perceptions of the value of Faroese Media representations of adult learners, their lived experiences of language learning and their positioning as new speakers of Faroese The value and significance of Danish in Faroese society: Differing viewpoints among the particpants Lea’s language learning dilemma: Pride and affiliation or profit? The shaping of views through lived experience: Participants’ encounters with Danish A dual language learning barrier to labour market advancement: Helena’s views and experiences Public discourses regarding other languages Ideologies regarding bilingualism and multilingualism English as the new lingua franca: A neutral vehicle of communication? A highly valued asset? Notes References 8 Conclusion Introduction Revisiting the research questions and summary of findings Research question 1 Research questions 2 and 3 Research question 4Directions for future research Faroese as an Additional Language (FAL) Understanding investment in language learning: a diary study with a small group of focal participants Multilingualism as added value Language, inclusion and labour markets The policy implications of the research Note References Index

About the Author :
Anna-Elisabeth Holm works at the University of the Faroe Islands. Her doctoral research was completed at Heriot-Watt University, Edinburgh. Her main research interests include sociolinguistic ethnography, language education for adult migrants, multilingualism in peripheral regions, and language policy and practice. Recent publications include: Holm et al. (2020). “Employers could use us, but they don’t”: voices from blue-collar workplaces in a northern periphery. Language Policy, Vol. 19, Issue 3, pp. 389-416; Hoffmann & Holm (2022). Learning Insular Nordic Languages: Comparative Perspectives on Migrants’ Experiences Learning Faroese and Icelandic. Nordic Journal of Migration Research, Vol. 12, Issue 3.