Non Spanish-speaking immigrants provide a new social and cultural reality in the language landscape in Chile. A group that is growing exponentially comprises Haitian immigrants whose arrival to the country has risen from 3,848 people in 2014 to an estimated 88,000 in 2017. This situation has prompted diverse actions to minimise the impact that language barriers pose on immigrants’ cultural, social, educational and labour integration.
Our presentation will focus on one of those actions, a language programme designed in response to a request from the Investigation Police of Chile, directly involved in the integration of the Haitian immigrants. The civilian police officers were interested in learning the basics of Kreyòl Ayiseyn to facilitate mutual understanding with the immigrants. The presenters designed the language programme which was implemented by four Haitian immigrants who acted as linguistic mediators, becoming a communicative “bridge” between police officers and the immigrants. The mediation -deemed crucial for language learning- ranged from linguistic elements to cultural and identity-based aspects evident in the language.
The programme adopted Intercultural Communicative Competence Theory as a theoretical lens where the cognitive, affective and attitudinal skills used by culturally different people facilitate a degree of efficient communication, and allow appropriate and effective behaviour within a shared social and cultural context. In addition, the programme was underpinned by three principles: i) interaction between speakers builds intercultural knowledge particularly when the speakers collaborate as equals; ii) acknowledgement of the interdependence between languages, which presupposes that while learning a second language the mother tongue also develops; and iii) the recognition of situated learning where knowledge develops through experience.
The results of this pioneer programme in the Chilean context contribute to shaping an emerging research agenda on language and migration matters.
Keywords: linguistic mediators, integration of immigrants, ICC
