Language and identity formations of second-generation migrants in Deepak Unnikrishnan's temporary people

Title

Language and identity formations of second-generation migrants in Deepak Unnikrishnan's temporary people

Creator

Jose B.

Description

Decades of migration to the Gulf nations have led to the existence of second-generation migrants who were born and raised in migrant lands. The chapter uses the novel Temporary People (2017) by Deepak Unnikrishnan as a primary text to explore the role language plays in second-generation migrant identity formations and the assimilation process. The national language, Arabic, is situated in the specific socio-political context, a site where ideologies and power relations are reproduced. By identifying a gap in the language education policy, it reveals how migrant's inability to communicate in the Arabic language has complex implications on their identities and notions of belongingness. The chapter explores language's power to naturalize norms and hierarchical structures within society that can hinder the assimilation process and highlights the migrant-citizen divide. It shows how notions of temporariness and Othering in migrants are inherent within the language politics of the land. The chapter reaffirms language-identity relations and points to revaluating migrant language policies. 2023, IGI Global. All rights reserved.

Source

Strategies for Cultural Assimilation of Immigrants and Their Children: Social, Economic, and Political Considerations, pp. 69-85.

Date

2023-01-01

Publisher

IGI Global

Coverage

Jose B., CHRIST University (Deemed), India

Rights

Restricted Access

Relation

ISBN: 978-166844841-0; 978-166844839-7

Format

Online

Language

English

Type

Book chapter

Identifier

https://doi.org/10.4018/978-1-6684-4839-7.ch004

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