Language brokering as acts of care: experiences of young migrants born in Poland and Romania living in Sweden

Abstract

ABSTRACT The aim of this article is to analyse how young migrants born in Poland and Romania, living in Sweden, construct their experiences of language brokering as acts of care within family relationships. The empirical data is based on narratives and visual material produced during interviews with 18 young people who moved to Sweden as children to join one or both parents migrating for work as part of the intra-EU mobility since 2004. The article adds new knowledge to the research on language brokering by focusing on its relational dimensions and designating it as one of the many other caring activities circulating between family members. The young people in the study act as language brokers by translating, interpreting, doing the writing and speaking as well as taking on an advocating and educational role for parents. By switching between languages in their ordinary conversations with siblings and parents they also engage in mutual multilingual learning. Their role as language brokers is analysed as part of the changing care dynamics between children and parents after reunification in Sweden. The young people construct their experiences in relation to feelings of love and obligation and their understanding of what is age appropriate to do. Their experiences of language brokering change over time and depend on other family members' bilingual competences and a supportive environment. According to our results, practicing language brokering may contribute to strengthening children's capacities as citizens and their feelings of being seen as important and valued in the family and society.