Tag Archives: Social inclusion

nyc2 035re Learn English, Make Friends!

Posted on November 4, 2011 by Ingrid Piller

How to make English-speaking friends is one of the perennial hot topics for new overseas students and new migrants. Advice on how to make “native” friends circulates like an underground currency: “Move in with English-speaking flat-mates!” “Avoid co-ethnics!” “Watch footy … Continue reading →

Posted in Language learning, gender & identity, Language, migration & social justice | Tagged , , , , , , | 9 Comments

Toiletological English Toiletological English

Posted on October 6, 2011 by Ingrid Piller

Can you guess what kind of product the following text is promoting? Your well-being is close to our heart rail&fresh [product] areas are bright and friendly and leave nothing to be desired. The [product] facilities are kept perfectly clean round … Continue reading →

Posted in Language & globalization | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

Gerkish Flag Turkish alphabetisation for German integration

Posted on September 13, 2011 by Victoria Benz

Contemporary Germany is the 3rd largest immigrant-receiving country internationally. In 2008, 15.6mio inhabitants (19% out of a total of 82.1mio) were post-1950 immigrants or their descendants (German Bureau of Statistics). With 2.9mio, Turks constitute the largest group of these. Unfortunately, … Continue reading →

Posted in Language, migration & social justice | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

ich spreche deutsch Many tongues instead of one!

Posted on August 31, 2011 by Bettina Kleiner

I was so grateful to read Ingrid Piller’s in-depth critical post on German language politics, where she offered a profound analysis of the assumptions underlying the campaign “Ich spreche Deutsch”. The title of the campaign can easily be associated with … Continue reading →

Posted in Language, migration & social justice | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

raus mit der sprache The cult of personal responsibility

Posted on July 20, 2011 by Ingrid Piller

Ads for a campaign to speak German are currently all over Germany. The campaign is called “Ich spreche Deutsch” (I speak German) and aims to convince migrant youths to learn more German or learn German faster. The campaign’s clever slogan … Continue reading →

Posted in Language, migration & social justice | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments