A comparative analysis of language regimes in NPOs

Migration-related linguistic diversity poses challenges for societies and the functioning of democracies. Also, peoples access to societal participation and social justice is influenced significantly by the way societies approach multilingualism. In this regard, the role of organisations (both public institutions and civil society organizations) is of particular relevance. The research project investigates how linguistic diversity is handled in public institutions and civic society organisations in Vienna that pursue multilingual strategies to be inclusive towards a multilingual population (e.g. via collaboration with interpreters or by recruiting multilingual staff). The focus of the investigation is the organisational level and its role in handling migration-related multilingualism, an often-neglected aspect in sociological migration research. The researched organisations differ inter alia in their aims, organisational structures, size, funding, staff, and addressees, but all deploy inclusive multilingual strategies. Drawing on sociological and linguistic approaches, the project compares the ways that these organisations approach multilingualism and analyse their implications for individuals. The aim is to develop systematic knowledge about inclusive approaches to linguistic diversity which is of high policy relevance. A qualitative research design is applied which combines several qualitative research methods to open up different perspectives and gain insights on several levels. Interviews and focus group discussions with staff members from different organisations are conducted, as well as interviews with migrants, complementary ethnographic observations, and analyses of e.g. publications, guidelines, homepages of the respective organisations. The project is led by Clara Holzinger. She has an educational background in both sociology and language teaching and vast research experience in the field of migration studies, societal multilingualism, and street-level bureaucracy.