Role of Language in Integration Research

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Role of Language in Integration Research

• Kien S. Lee
• Community Science
• 438 N. Frederick Avenue, Suite 315
• Gaithersburg, MD 20877
• [phone], ext. 108 (voice) ? (301)
  519-0724 (fax) www.communityscience.com
• kien_at_communityscience.com

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• We asked 115 people, as part of the evaluation of
  The Colorado Trusts Supporting Immigrants and
  Refugee Families Initiative Immigrant Integration
  Strategy what immigrant integration means

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Their answers were

• Cultural and social exchange
• Mutual respect and equal treatment between
  immigrants and receiving community members
• Equal access to opportunities and resources
• Sense of community
• Acceptance by receiving community
• Civic participation
• Sense of safety and security
• Ability to navigate systems

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• What are the implications of their responses on
  immigrant integration research?

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• Concepts that differ across histories, contexts,
  and cultures
• Sense of community
• What does community mean in different cultures
  and which community?
• Acceptance by receiving community
• What does acceptance mean for different groups
  that experience different degrees of intolerance
  or discrimination?
• Civic participation
• What does civic participation mean and how is
  it practiced in different cultures?
• Sense of safety and security
• What is considered safe and secure for
  different groups that experienced different
  dangers in their home country?

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Integration-related variables that differ across
histories, contexts, and cultures

• Immigrant, refugee
• Family, family members
• House, home
• Volunteer, volunteerism
• Education levels (e.g., pre-school, middle, high)
• Race and ethnicity
• Language

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Consequences

• Incorrect translation and interpretation
• Unfair comparisons across groups
• Inaccurate comparative analysis
• Invalid and culturally insensitive measures
• Omission of valid outcomes
• Inaccurate conclusions
• Ineffective interventions

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What Should Researches Do?

• Use qualitative research methods to explore
  concepts first
• Then use qualitative findings to shape
  quantitative research methods
• Translate and back-translate
• Use multiple translators to account for regional
  differences, even if same language
• If comparing groups, explain impact of historical
  and cultural variables on group differences or
  similarities

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What Should Researchers Do?

• Pilot-test survey and other data collection
  instruments
• Understand potential participants and
  respondents experiences with research in home
  country
• Check their own assumptions and biases