Linguistic (in)security in the ancestral homeland
Sociocultural reintegration of transnational return migrants in Türkiye
Bibliographic Data
| ID | 19217617 |
|---|---|
| Authors | Meltem ERCANLAR (0000-0002-3175-9162, Anadolu University, corresponding author), Emre Gökalp (0000-0002-6024-9321, Anadolu University) |
| Year | 2026 |
| Pages | 1-18 |
| Publication date | 2026-05-20 |
| Open Access | No |
| Type | ARTICLE |
| Venue | Journal of Multilingual and Multicultural Development (JOURNAL) |
| Journal identifiers | ISSN: 0143-4632 • E-ISSN: 1747-7557 |
| Publisher | Taylor & Francis (PUBLISHER • GB) |
| DOI | 10.1080/01434632.2026.2674778 |
| OpenAlex | W7161846400 |
| Language | EN |
| Citations received | 1 |
| References cited | 29 |
This study investigates the linguistic insecurity and discrimination experienced by Turkish-origin return migrants born and/or raised in Western European countries (Germany, Belgium, and France), the individual and structural factors shaping these experiences, and their impact on reintegration. For this purpose, in-depth, semi-structured interviews were conducted with 25 returnees who returned to Türkiye over the past 15 years. Employing qualitative research methods, the study draws on interview data and researcher's observation notes. Findings reveal that most return migrants experienced linguistic insecurity and discrimination when using Turkish in social interactions in Türkiye. These experiences were shaped by individual factors – including personal traits and perceived Turkish language deficiency – as well as structural factors such as gender roles, hierarchical relationship patterns, social representations of language, and experiences of linguistic discrimination. The study further demonstrates that migrants’ transnational identities and sense of belonging influence linguistic security, and that the insecurity and discrimination they encounter when speaking Turkish complicates their sociocultural reintegration
Acculturation · Ethnic group · Ethnocentrism · Immigration · Multilingualism · Sociocultural evolution · Sociolinguistics · Cyprus History, Politics, Society · Diaspora, migration, transnational identity · Education and experiences of immigrants and refugees
Migrant Transnationalism
Meaning and Linguistic Variation
English with an Accent
The Social Stratification of English in New York City
Translingual Discrimination
Heritage language anxiety and majority language anxiety among Turkish immigrants in the Netherlands
Anxiety, language use and linguistic competence in an immigrant context
Handbook of Return Migration
Globalization and Belonging
Return Migration
From “inbetweeners” to ‘transcultural mediators’
Place Matters to Life After Return
Stigmatization of Turkish return migrants in Turkey
Motives for Turkish return migration from Western Europe
Conceptualizing Simultaneity
What’s the problem? I am happy that you are my customer!’ African immigrant women’s emotional labour and resilience in a multilingual workplace
Second‐Generation “Return” to Greece
Return Migration and Transnationalism
Translanguaging Identities and Ideologies
Of Counter-Diaspora and Reverse Transnationalism
The quest for a 'better life
Super-diversity and its implications
| Citations per year | 1 |
|---|---|
| Citation span | 2026 - 2026 (1) |
| Highly cited | No |