Narrative in the study of migrants

Abstract

This chapter presents an overview of contributions and future directions for narrative analysis in migration studies looking at different approaches, methodologies, and objects of study within sociolinguistics and other disciplines concerned with discourse in society. It begins with general definitions and considerations of the multiple roles that narratives carry in social life. The chapter discusses two key areas of study: research on identities and representations by and about migrants, and research on migrants' storytelling practices within institutions and communities. It argues that narratives are among the most constitutive genres of human linguistic communication and are central to the construction of identities. The chapter identifies three different sub-areas: work that deals with migrants as language learners, work that treats migrants more in general as members of communities, and work that focuses on storytelling centered on migrants but told by members of out-groups.

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