Colombian Diaspora in London

1Language Socialization and Interculturality: Address Terms and Language
2Maintenance in Colombian Diasporic Working Communities in London.

3
4
5ID: 12620383
6
7September 2010
8
9MA Communication
10
11Birkbeck College, University of London
12
13
14Acknowledgements:
15
16I would like give my thanks to Zhu Hua at Birkbeck College, University of London, for her advise
17during the process of this research project and to Fatma Said at Birkbeck College, University of
18London for her continued support. I would also like to thank my family for their guidance and all
19the people that gave their time to take part in this study.
20
21ABSTRACT:
22The aim of this study is to gain a wider knowledge of 'interculturality' by analysing
23intergenerational conflict through language socialization between first and second generation
24migrants in Spanish Speaking Latino (SSL) communities in London. The research has a particular
25focus on the Colombian Diasporic Community, investigating the manner in which first and second
26generation Colombian migrants use culturally appropriate address terms to access and activate
27membership into Colombian Diasporic working communities in London. A consequence of the trend
28of community membership is the initiation of a chain which encompasses both first and second
29generation Colombian migrants as members of these diasporic communities. Through language
30socialization first and second generation migrants activate social, cultural and linguistic values
31whereby they negotiate, construct, and renew these values and identities through communication. A
32key element to understanding how intergenerational conflict arises is in the identification of
33possible differences in socio-cultural values and language ideologies. These may, to a certain
34extent, be key indicators of the conflict and imposed identities that are managed between first and
35second generations in the wider community and diasporic working communities. In identifying
36these problems between first and second generation migrants, social, cultural and linguistic norms
37can be negotiated and renewed in order to provide better relations between first and second
38generation migrants within these communities.
39
40Key words: Interculturality, Colombian diasporic community, address terms, language socialization
41language maintenance, Colombian diasporic working communities.
42
43
44
45
46
1
47TABLE OF CONTENTS
48
49ABSTRACT
50
51CHAPTER 1 INTRODUCTION
521.1 Introduction................................................................................page 5
531.2 Rationale....page 5
541.3 Aims and Objectives of Study... page 7
551.4 Research Question..page 9
561.5 Research Method....page 9
571.6 Assumptions and Limitations.... page 10
581.7 Conclusion. page 11
59CHAPTER 2 LITERATURE REVIEW
602.1 Introduction....page 12
612.2 Latin American Diaspora in the UK. page 13
62 2.2.1 Spanish Speaking Latino (SSL) community in London..page 14
63 2.2.2 Colombian Diaspora in London. .page 15
64 2.2.2.1 Colombian Diasporic working community.. page 16
652.3 Interculturality (IC)....page 17
662.4 Language Socialization in diasporas.... page 18
672.5 A Colombian diasporic working community under study with address terms as an analytical
68focus .......page 20
692.6 Conclusionpage 23
70CHAPTER 3 METHODOLOGY AND METHODS
713.1 Introduction. page 24
723.2 Aims of Study..page 24
73 3.2.1 Research Questions & Hypotheses.page 26
74 3.2.2 Research Problem.. page 27
753.3 Target Sample ......page 28
76 3.3.1 Data Collection & Analysis....page 29
773.4 Research Approach...page 30
783.5 Conclusion.....page 31
79CHAPTER 4 DATA ANALYSIS AND DISCUSSION OF RESULTS
804.1 Introduction..page 32
814.2 Discussion of Results...page 32
82 4.2.1 Participant Backgrounds... page 34
83 4.2.2 Determinates of Inter-generational Conflict..... page35
84
4.2.2.1 Imposed identities and membership.... page 35
85
4.2.2.2 Social, cultural and language attitudes.... page 42
86
4.2.2.3 Language maintenance & Linguistic abilities..page 47
874.3 Address Terms Activating Membership.. page 50
884.4 Findings... page 57
894.5 Conclusion....... page 60
90CHAPTER 5 CONCLUSION
915.1 Introduction. page 61
925.2 Summary of the research. page 61
935.3 Limitations of the research.. page 63
945.4 Future development. page 64
2
955.5 Conclusion... page 65

96
97REFERENCES.....page 66
98APPENDICES
99Appendix A: Interview Transcripts.....page 71
100Appendix B: Information Sheet for Interviewees..page 129
101
102CD: All Interview Voice Recordings
103Approved Ethics Form
104Signed Consent Forms
105
106
107
108
109
110
111
112
113
114
115
116
117
118
119
120
121
122
123
124
125
126
127
128
129
130
131
132
133
134
135
136
137
138
139
140
141
142
3
143TABLES AND GRAPHS

144
145Fig.1. Table of Participants...page 34
146Fig.2. 1st and 2nd Generation Migrant Community Representation......page 35
147Fig. 3. Members of Community....page 49
148Fig. 4. Formal and Informal Address Terms. page 52
149Fig. 5.1 Option 1: Frequency of Formal & Informal Address Terms. page 54
150Fig. 5.2 Option 2: Frequency of Formal & Informal Address Terms.. page 54
151Fig. 6. Negotiated and Renewed Identities page 58
152
153
154
155
156
157
158
159
160
161
162
163
164
165
166
167
168
169
170
171
172
173
174
175
176
177
178
179
180
181
182
183
184
185
4
186CHAPTER 1 INTRODUCTION
187
1881.1 Introduction
189
190Migration in Britain has developed into something of a natural phenomena that many generations of
191migrant families and individuals have experienced and grown accustomed to over the past few
192decades. The increasing influx of non-Commonwealth populations with fewer historical links with
193the UK is currently contributing to the ever growing 'super-diversity' of London (Vertovec, 2007).
194Although relatively established as a migrant group in some parts of the UK, Latin Americans (LA)
195have not been officially recognised or classified as an ethnic group, unlike the United States where
196this group is prevalent and receives official recognition (Mcllwaine, 2005; Guarnizo, 2008). This
197oversight of Latin Americas diasporic population is not only evident in ethical demographics but
198also in the little information about Latin Americans and Spanish Speaking Latinos (SSLs) (Block,
1992008) in Britain. Literature discussing multilingualism and Spanish in the UK is limited and
200originated towards Spanish nationals as opposed to SSLs. This study will examine the process of
201secondary language socialisation and language maintenance between different generations of SSL
202diasporic communities, in particular, focusing on the Colombian diasporic working community in
203London.
204
2051.2 Rationale
206
207Spanish Speaking Latino (SSL) migrants in Britain, particularly in London, are a relatively new and
208established community known as a 'New Migrant Population' (Kyambi, 2005). This New Migrant
209Population or SSL community has been gradually increasing but there have been seldom attempts to
210bring this burgeoning ethnolinguistic group to the attention of a wider audience (Block, 2008). At
211present, there have been various socio-geographical studies and reports surrounding the
212phenomenon of Latin American migration into Britain, of which the focus has been on the social
213impact migration has among Latin American families and employment in London (Mcllawaine,
2142005; Miller, 1998; Cock, 2007; Bermdez Torres, 2003; Dempsey & Lema, 1998). However, we
215can find a rich source of information about SSLs in the United States, with various studies and
216reports on bilingualism, language maintenance and the effect interculturality has on these diasporic
217communities as individuals and within the family unit (Zhu, 2010). To a certain extent we can say
218that the development of culture, identity and language of these migrant communities in the US is a
219paradigm likely reflected within the SSL community in the UK. It is therefore important that
220research stays abreast of the distinction between the US and Britains migrant population, with more
221publications and books looking into these local ethno linguistic issues.
222Nevertheless, there have been several books that underline migrant multilingualism and Spanish,
223however mainly looking at Spanish nationals and providing little, if any, information discussing
224SSLs. On the other hand, there have been several studies and reports that do focus on SSL migrants,
225particularly Colombians in London, such as (Bermdez Torres, 2003; Dempsey & Lema, 1998;
226Mcilwaine, 2005).
227
228These studies are an important source of background information about Colombians living in
229London. They present a range of information about how migrants survive and negotiate social
230norms, culture, identity and language in London. Although, these studies present a crucial body of
231information, it is often not great in detail and sometimes lacks a concrete understanding of language
232multilingualism in migrant communities living in London.
233
234However, there has been relevant work published on similar migrant populations such as Zhu Hua's
235study on Bilingualism and Multilingualism in Chinese diasporic families (2010) as well as Li s
236Second Generation Language Socialization and Multilingualism in Chinese Second Generation
237Community (2007). Parallel to these studies there have been similar articles on language
238socialisation practices and cultural identity in Mexican families in the US (Schecter & Bayley,
2391997) and language maintenance and family relations of Chinese immigrant children living in
240Australia (Tonnenbaum & Howie, 2002).
241
242These articles although not directly related to the SSL diasporic community are an invaluable
243source of background information about how migrant communities learn to assimilate, negotiate
244and understand renewed forms of socio-cultural values, identities and communication in their new
245country of residence. The issues that are looked at in this research will allow me to explore and
246consider the varying attitudes and forms that suggest how migrants build, maintain and practice
247their relationships in an intercultural context both at home and at work.
248
2491.3 Aims and Objectives of Study:
250
251The principle aim of this study is to examine the subject of 'interculturality' and 'diaspora', focusing
252on the process of secondary language socialisation among Colombian diasporic working
253communities in London.
254
255The primary objective of this dissertation is to examine and analyse the methods employed by first
256and second generation Colombian migrants seeking to gain access to SSL communities which may
257bolster their employment opportunities and relations by providing links to employers. The study
258will also focuses on the use of specific contextual cues such as address terms; in addition to social,
259cultural and linguistic remarks given by participants. The remarks highlight whether the differing
260attitudes towards language, culture and identity affects relations between first and second
261generation Colombian migrants. Additionally, the project findings demonstrate that although being
262an SSL, be it first or second generation helps one gain access to a community, it does not
263necessarily improve relations and employment opportunities within the wider context of SSL
264communities across London and the UK.
265
266In order to build successful links and relations within the SSL communities, both first and second
267generation migrants must learn to negotiate and understand renewed forms of socio-cultural values,
268identities and communication in their new country of residence. Key to this is secondary language
269socialisation (Lam, 2004) which enables an outsider to gain and activate membership to specific
270social groups. It also initiates a process of belonging whereby the outsider becomes a member (e.g.
271part of a Colombian diasporic working community), and who can in turn can bestow membership
272upon a newcomer. The process of secondary language socialisation in order to gain membership to
273communities initiates a self perpetuating chain involving both migrants and second generation Latin
274Americans.
275
276Here we analyse the strategies used to create and maintain social relations inside and outside work
277which as a result will assist us to put forward a socio-linguistic strategy to be used in minimising
278conflicting attitudes and problems between different generations of Colombians that work or
279socialise together.
280
281
2821.4 Research Question

283
284As mentioned above the study aims to understand the concept of interculturality and the process of
285secondary language socialization and language maintenance between different generations of Latin
286American diasporic working communities. The study focuses on address terms and commentary
287made by the participants in relation to their attitudes towards social, cultural and linguistic norms in
288intergenerational communication and behaviour between members of Spanish Speaking Latino
289(SSL) communities (Block, 2008), particularly focusing on Colombian diasporic working
290communities in London.
291
292This study will aim to answer the following questions:
293
294
1. Do the differences in social, cultural and language ideologies of first and second generation
295
Colombian migrants, affect work-related relationships and membership in the community?
296
If so, how are their cultural, social and linguistic norms negotiated?
297
2. How are relevant contextual cues such as address terms used to activate the membership
298
and common cultural and ethnic backgrounds of interactants and interlocutors in order to
299
gain access to the Colombian diasporic working community?
300
3011.5 Research Method
302
303The study is based on a qualitative approach since this seems to be the most appropriate choice for
304achieving the key aims of the current study. A qualitative approach can be properly classified or
305associated with the collection, analysis, interpretation, and presentation of narrative information
306which is essentially the approach that was taken when conducting the research. On the other hand, a
307qualitative approach allows us to discover patters, themes and categories in our data, as opposed to
308deductive analysis where data is analysed according to an existing framework. As a result, these
309differences in research objectives influence the way qualitative research generates research
310questions (Teddlie & Tashakkori, 2009). In addition, it is crucial that this study be as flexible as
311possible and that a conservatively small number of participants be used because of the in-depth and
312valuable information they could provide related to the research questions that where under
313investigation.
314
3151.6 Assumptions and Limitations
316
317There are several limitations that apply to this study. First, the study makes use of a small sample
318size, limited to a specific socio-economic group in full-time work and all of whom were twenty
319years of age or above. Therefore, it is not possible to claim that the sample of this study is
320representative of all Latin American migrants in London and the UK in how it relates to the findings
321in this project.
322
323The second limitation of this research is the varying lengths each participant used in answering the
324interview questions. Although all interviews were originally calculated at 45 minutes long, some of
325the interviews took more or less time than was planned. Some participants elaborated more on
326certain points leading to interesting discoveries and new information that was used in the research.
327
328
329
10
3301.7 Conclusion
331
332This project consists of five chapters, the first of which shows the area of interest and outlines the
333problem and research question of the study. The research questions, the aims of the study and
334objectives are presented and the study's limitations and the selected methodology are briefly
335discussed.
336
337The second chapter reviews literature on interculturality, diaspora, secondary language socialization
338and background information about SSLs, particularly Colombians living in London. Additionally,
339the literature review will discuss how both first and second generation migrants use address terms in
340order to activate community membership and similar cultural, social and linguistic attitudes.
341Chapter 3 discusses the methodological approach and the approach used for the collection of data as
342well as the fieldwork limitations. The fourth chapter presents the findings of the research, using
343both research material and data collected to answer the questions presented in the first chapter. It
344presents a thorough discussion of the results in response to the research questions. This discussion
345will analyse the validity of the research hypotheses and will finally be presented in the research
346findings. The fifth chapter is the conclusion to the research and presents our recommendations for
347further study in this area of research.
348
349
350
351
352
353
11
354CHAPTER 2 LITERATURE REVIEW

355
3562.1 Introduction
357
358This chapter reviews the existing literature on the Colombian diaspora in London, focusing on
359language socialisation and interculturality. This section will include literature on secondary
360language socialisation and address terms used in Colombian diasporic working communities in
361London. The study will aim to present the growth in importance of Spanish Speaking Latino (SSL)
362communities in recent years with various publications and reports focussing on Colombians in
363London (Bermdez Torres,
2003; Block, 2008; Dempsey & Lema, 1998; Mcilwaine, 2005).
364However, this migrant population has yet to be well documented in comparison to other migrant
365populations in Britain. SSL migrants in London are an under-studied group (Carlisle, 2006), with
366few in-depth studies on multilingualism and language socialisation published on this growing
367migrant group. A small part of this literature focuses explicitly on the migration process of Latin
368Americans in London, examining the manner in which they negotiate, construct and renew their
369socio-cultural values and identities outside and within their communities. However, the majority of
370studies discussed focus on the influence of interculturality on the shift in new social and cultural
371identities for different generations of Colombian diasporic working communities. With regards to
372this, the review will discuss the process of language socialisation through which first and second
373generations part of a Colombian diasporic working community negotiate, construct and renew their
374socio-cultural values and identities through interaction. Part of the review will additionally discuss
375address terms looking at how important they are at activating membership as well as initiating
376common socio-cultural values, identities and culture in the wider community. This review will
377begin with some background information detailing the Latin American diaspora in the UK, which
12
378will lead onto more information on the SSL community and specifically looking into the Colombian
379diaspora in London. As was mentioned previously the review will look into interculturality,
380language socialisation and address terms, and part of the review will include a small part discussing
381language maintenance within the Colombian diasporic community.
382
3832.2 Latin American Diaspora in the UK
384
385Latin American migrants in the UK, particularly in London are a relatively new and established
386group compared to other longer established migrant groups which hold previous links with the UK
387such as those who arrived from countries of the former British Empire (Kyambi, 2005; Vertovec,
3882007). The Latin American diasporic community in the UK started to form itself in the late 1970s,
389at the time arriving with work permits for domestic cleaning and catering jobs (Decho and
390Diamond, 1998). Although the work permit system had been abolished by the early 1980s, Latin
391American communities, particularly the Colombian community, continued to grow its migrant
392community arriving as economic and political migrants (Bermudez Torres, 2003). There are a
393number of studies that identify the various economic and social practices that these migrants have
394created in order to survive, advert risk and establish themselves in London such as (Dempsey &
395Lema, 1998; Bermdez -Torres, 2003; Mcilwaine et al, 2006; Guarnizo, 2006). As a result of these
396studies, it is possible to examine the changes in cultural dynamics and values, Zhu (2010) suggest
397diaspora as one of the most suitable platforms for addressing the cultural and social changes of
398these diasporic communities. It is equally important to underline the influence Spanish has on the
399identity of Colombian migrants. Spanish is often used as the lingua franca of most Spanish
400Speaking Latinos migrants (Block, 2008) and plays an influential role in the representation of their
401community and their social and cultural values.
13
402 2.2.1 Spanish Speaking Latino (SSL) community in London

403
404While it is difficult to present an exact figure for the population of the SSL community currently
405residing in London, there is evidence to suggest that the Colombian diasporic community is the
406largest of all SSL communities present in London (Block, 2008). As one of the biggest and most
407influential diasporic SSL communities, the Colombian community has seen growth in
408unprecedented levels due to the socio-political situation in Colombia. A problem that escalated in
409the 1980s as an effect of the civil war and the increase in violence due to the drugs war (Pellegrino,
4102004). However, SSLs still face problems when migrating as the upheaval has a significant effect
411on the individuals and the family and group dynamics (Alba & Nee, 2003). SSL migrants are likely
412to attempt to build and sustain multi-stranded social relations that link together their societies of
413origin and their place of settlement. Through this inherent need to maintain their identity, culture
414and values, diasporic communities sometimes try to preserve and maintain traditional values and
415beliefs from their place of origin, often rejecting changes taking place in their countries of origin as
416an effect of globalisation. Simultaneously there are other migrants that embrace change and develop
417new identities for themselves in their new place of settlement (Mcllwaine, 2005). For example, in
418Blocks study of SSLs in London (2008), all participants were asked to give an example of the
419context in which they would use Spanish or English. Most participants stated that English was
420necessary in order to better themselves both in employment and in order to access different social
421groups and communities. Despite this explicit reflection on the importance of English, most
422participants stated that they spent most of their time speaking in Spanish; however one very
423interesting point that was made was the desire for Colombians in London to preserve Spanish and
424even to persuade others to speak it.
425
14
4262.2.2 Colombian Diaspora in London

427
428The preservation of identity, culture and values within the Colombian diasporic community has had
429a multitude of effects on the wider community (Mcllwaine et al, 2006) There are conflicting
430opinions and tensions between different generations and, much like second generation migrants
431there is substantial amount criticism aimed at first generation migrants that change and develop new
432identities for themselves. Many of the second generation migrants are exposed to their parents
433cultural values and practices which produces complex problems between trying to develop their
434own identities and coping with family disintegration (Mcllwaine et al, 2006; Guarnizo, 2008; Block,
4352006). Studies have shown that the degree of discrepancies in migrant families increases with the
436number of years of residence in a foreign country (Zhu, 2010). Mcllwaine (2007) presents a variety
437of causes and effects that influence problems and family disintegration; these include loss of
438identity and lack of values. This conflict that arises between first and second generation migrants or
439immigrant families may be down to their uncompromising attitude to accepting inter-generational
440differences. Normally in immigrant groups greater respect is demanded and obedience to authority,
441therefore inter-generational differences may cause conflict between different generations (Phinney
442et al, 2000).
443
444Language is a recurring theme that is considered both problematic and invaluable to immigrants.
445Most tension between diasporic communities and the local communities are due to differences in
446language ideology Silvertein (1979, p.193) explains language ideology as 'sets of beliefs about the
447language articulated by users as rationalization or justification of perceived language structure and
448use'. This reflects the speakers views about socio-cultural values of different languages (Zhu,
4492010).
15
450 The degree of social contact with specific communities and social groups may affect the level of
451understanding a migrant has of local language ideologies (Kroskrity, 2004). According to Zhu Hua
452(2008) socio-cultural values of different languages may differ between generations. For example,
453British-born migrants may consider English as a 'we-code' and therefore prefer it to their parents
454language. On the other hand, many adult immigrants from East and South Asia in the UK identify
455English as a 'they-code' (Gumperz, 1982) and prefer to use their native languages (e.g. Cantonese,
456Urdu) for family interaction. The discrepancies in the language abilities of different generations of
457diasporic communities are another interesting factor. Second generation migrants, especially
458younger children, have the ability to learn languages faster and more consistently than the older or
459first generation migrants (Wong-Filmore, 1991). As a result of the different language ideologies
460and challenges both first and second generation migrants face in maintaining their communities
461ethnic language, conflict and tensions may arise on how, when and to what extent each language is
462used (Schecter, & Bayley, 1997; Zhu, 2008)
463
4642.2.2.1 Colombian Diasporic working community
465
466The Colombian diasporic community in London can be identified by various social, cultural and
467linguistic forms that unite and represent them in London. Music, dance and retail that have their
468roots in Colombian culture are some of the few divisions that form the Colombian diasporic
469community. However, immigrants socio-cultural and linguistic norms are rarely negotiated in these
470community spaces. Family and work contexts are perhaps the most useful to better understand how
471members of diasporic communities negotiate and renew their own social, cultural and linguistic
472norms with those in their places of settlement Diasporic workers in this project are considered as an
473example of communities of practice defined as, ' a group of people who, united by common
16
474enterprises, develop and share ways of doing things, ways of talking, beliefs and values in short,
475practices' (Zhu, 2010; Eckert & McConnell-Ginet, 1999). The concept of community of practice
476allows us to examine the ways in which individuals access and activate their membership in the
477diasporic working community through the process of language socialisation - particularly focusing
478on the attitudes and beliefs of second generation (younger) migrants have towards social, cultural
479and linguistic norms of a community and looking at how they construct their own social and
480cultural identities.
481
4822.3 Interculturality (IC)
483
484Interculturality (IC) has become a popular notion used across various different areas of research
485such as sociology and language teaching (Nishizaka 1995, 1999; Mori 2003; Zhu, 2010). It is
486important to make a clear distinction as to how this notion will be utilized in the study. For instance,
487this study makes some key assumptions about intercultural conversation, which includes: 1)
488showing that interculturality is not always achieved when communicating with interlocutors from
489different countries who have different first languages this can occur between members of the same
490community, who speak the same language; 2) demonstrating how knowledge of a culture and its
491values can be claimed by 'non-members' of a community; 3) showing that although someone has
492presumed knowledge of a culture and its values, the interlocutor can choose not to enact their
493membership in a community even if they are criticised (Zimmerman, 2007).
494
495The assumptions above look at interculturality in a different light to its widely established
496traditional interpretation and approach (Hofstede, 1980; Trompenaars and Hampden-Turner, 2004).
497The conventional approach looks at participants that come from different cultures as simply 'being'
17
498different and these cultural differences influence interlocutors' communication strategies. These
499differences result in intercultural miscommunication (Shi, 2006). This particular approach to
500interculturality fails to treat culture as a dynamic process that can be activated and used as a means
501of achieving a specific goals in discourse and interaction (Scollon & Scollon, 2001). Various studies
502have taken this paradigm of interculturality and have emphasised the developing 'inter' features of
503communication, treating cultural differences as an active and progressive process that can be
504viewed in distinct ways ( Mori, 2003; Higgins, 2007a, Zimmerman, 2007; Axelson, 2007). For
505instance, Higgins (2007b) argues that cultural differences only arise if they are relevant to a
506particular situation and that culture and ethical identities are fluid concepts. In fact studies have
507shown that cultural differences are not always relevant to misunderstandings in conversation.
508Interculturality can also be a source of friendship and understanding (Higgins, 2007b), however it
509can also have a negative impact on participants and prevent them from learning about each other
510(Axelson, 2007).
511
512In order to better understand how participants' cultural and ethnic identities are made salient in
513conversation, the study will examine the use of specific contextual cues, such as formal and
514informal address terms. These address terms signal and inform participants of each other's chosen
515categories of membership and also activate important social, cultural and contextual factors such as
516status, age, gender, familiarity and intimacy (Mori, 2007).
517
5182.4 Language Socialization in diasporas
519
520Members of a community become socialised into community-specific ways of using language
521(Bequedano-Lopez & Kattan, 2007) and to a certain extent learn to speak and use the language in a
18
522way applicable to that community, and adjust to the beliefs and norms associated with speaking a
523language (Zhu, 2010). Numerous language socialisation studies (e.g.,Baquedano-Lopez, 2001;
524Heath, 1983; Schieffelin & Ochs, 1986; Scollon & Scollon, 1981; Valdez, 1996) suggest that
525communication between generations of speakers in diasporic communities, have indicated that
526language learning is intrinsically linked to the construction of social roles, cultural affiliations,
527beliefs, values, and practices among participants in a community. Schieffelin & Ochs (1998 &
528Schieffelin, 2001) state that the process of language socialization and acquisition are integrated; and
529that language acts as a tool to initiate the individual into the cultural and social practices of a
530community, whereby the knowledge of using a language is part of acquiring social competence in
531that community. As a result of the differences in social and cultural knowledge and even language
532ideology and linguistic abilities between generations of diasporic families how are cultural and
533social norms negotiated? This study will explore examples of language socialisation in Colombian
534diasporic working communities in London and we will argue that the process of language
535socialisation leads to the construction of interculturality.
536
537Language socialisation plays an important role in the construction of identity within a family,
538colleagues or community. Studies by (Heath, 1983; Schieffelin & Ochs, 1986; Scollon & Scollon,
5391981; Valdez, 1996) suggest that children of migrants and minority children are socialised and
540guided to adopt different sets of language behaviours that pre-dispose them to adapt to society. Gee
541(1996) suggests that discourses are not acquired by explicit instruction, but by enculturation into
542social practices through teaching and supported interaction from parents and other adults and
543individuals who have a strong understanding of the discourse. While socialisation can result in
544societal reproduction it can represent societal change through (re)interpretation (Corsaro, 1997).
545Therefore during the process of language socialisation a child can take on an active and creative
19
546social role which allows them to produce, construct and negotiate the identities which have been
547constructed by others around them. In turn this influences and challenges the identities of those with
548whom they are socialising. The forms in which these identities can been seen include the use of
549grammatical, lexical and phonological resources (Ochs & Schieffelin, 1995), codeswitching
550(Williams, 2005; Zhu, 2008) and TSCLP 'talk about social, cultural and linguistic practices.' (Zhu,
5512008).
552
5532.5 A Colombian diasporic working community under study with address terms as an
554analytical focus
555
556The Colombian diasporic workers that will be studied are based in London. As part of the Latin
557American community in the UK (Bermdez Torres, 2003), Colombians have the largest population
558of SSL in the UK. Spanish is widely used throughout the community and has been known to have
559been used as a lingua franca when communicating with Portuguese, Brazilians and some Western
560Africans within the Colombian community and spaces (Mcllwaine, 2007). Colombian immigration
561has seen a steady increase in recent years since the early nineties (Mcllwaine, 2005), with many
562migrants arriving as economic and political migrants as well as the growing student population. In
563the Colombian community Spanish is said to have prevalence in the households, work and even in
564spaces of retail that are Colombian or Latin American influenced (Guarnizo, 2008). Colombians and
565SSLs are known for taking low-paid jobs usually working in the domestic cleaning services, hotel
566and catering (Guarnizo, 2008). Many Colombian immigrants have had professional positions,
567businesses and well-paid jobs in their native country, however due to the ongoing civil war and
568tough economic climate many have resorted to migration.
569
20
570All of the participants in this study have a high proficiency in Spanish; they are a group of first
571generation and second generation migrants. Most of the second generation migrants have worked or
572are currently employed in the domestic cleaning sector where they interact with first generation
573migrants in Spanish. The use of address terms, including pronouns, proper nouns, kinship terms and
574status terms play an important part in the creation and maintenance of social relations at work
575where both first and second generation migrants socialise on a daily basis (Mhlhusler & Harr,
5761990). In Colombian culture communication is very open but at the same time includes a lot respect
577(Muhlhusler & Harr, 1990). Respect, openness and social relationships are considered very
578important in Colombian societies. They bring people together and maintain close relationship;
579therefore address terms are one of the best resources to look at in order to examine the inter580relationship between language and social relations.
581
582There have been various studies that look into the use of address terms in Spanish, particularly
583looking into the socio-cultural functions as well varieties in usage (Moles, 1974; Mhlhusler &
584Harr, 1990). These studies indicate that the use of specific forms of address terms is based on the
585roles, status, degree of intimacy in other words confianza (confidence), age, gender and situational
586contexts. This 'confianza' points to establishing close and distant relationships as well as the
587maintenance of social and age hierarchy which help to develop and maintain relationships.
588
589SSLs adopt a number of forms of address in order to activate social and cultural identities as well as
590friendship and respect. For second generation migrants this knowledge is limited compared to
591native speakers of Spanish. However, studies show that second generation immigrants do have a
592variety of tools that are used in order to activate their ethnic identities (Zhu, 2010). This is
593beginning to take form in popular culture and often clashes with what they have been taught by
21
594their parents.
595
596Studies (Hughes, 2005) show that Spanish is predominately used at work, home and in social
597occasions. For second generation Colombian migrants the use of language is negotiated depending
598on the situational context. At work second generation Colombian migrants tend to use Spanish in
599order to communicate with each other; however, this is only used in order to activate identity and
600cultural membership. For second generation migrants that look for work and access job channels
601through the Colombian diasporic working community, many fail to add openness and respect into
602their initiation and approach for looking into jobs. Many second generation migrants tend to resort
603to using parents or parents of friends to help them find jobs due to their low confidence in their use
604of Spanish and in communicating with first generation migrants. This low confidence and tension in
605language use translates itself into the workplace causing communication problems and conflict with
606first generation Colombians that do not speak English (Mcilwaine, 2005) This study intends to
607discover common problems between first and second generation migrant communication as well as
608differences in the use of address terms.
609
610There has been a considerable amount of sociolinguistic studies concerning address terms. Brown
611and Gilman's (1960) pronominal address framework outlines the influence specific address terms
612have on power and solidarity. Other studies such as those of Brown and Ford (1964) and Hymes
613(1967) examine social structures and social distance in communication. On the other hand, Pride
614(1971) and Moles (1974) investigate formal and informal terms of address as well as culturally
615influenced forms of address such as confianza (confidence) and respeto (respect). These concepts
616support the view that address terms can help to negotiate, construct and renew identities and socio617cultural beliefs in diasporic communities (Zhu, 2010).
22
6182.6 Conclusion
619
620The study will go on to use the concepts of language socialisation and address terms in order to
621determine how first and second generation migrants access and activate the Colombian diasporic
622community in London. The study will then go on to find the determinants behind the tension that
623presents itself between first and second generation migrants at work. The Colombian diasporic
624community will be analysed as a community of practice where both first and second generation
625migrants socialise, access and activate their community membership. The differences between first
626and second generation migrants will be considered based on their attitudes and beliefs towards
627language, cultural and social norms as well as the ways in which they utilise address terms to
628socialise within the community.
629
630
631
632
633
634
635
636
637
638
639
640
641
23
642CHAPTER 3 METHODOLOGY AND METHODS

643
6443.1 Introduction
645
646In this chapter I will present the study's selected research methodology. The methodology selected
647in this study will be one that is most suitable for the type of research analysis and findings I will
648intend to achieve. This chapter will review the purpose of the study, present the research questions
649and hypotheses, discuss the data analysis and data collection methods and the limitations of the
650research.
651
6523.2 Aims of Study
653
654The purpose of the study is to examine the process of language socialization between both first and
655second generation migrants in SSL (Spanish Speaking Latino) communities, particularly focusing
656on the Colombian diasporic working community in London. The motivation behind carrying out the
657research on this particular community is based on two crucial points that are intrinsically linked to
658one another. The first is to determine how both first and second generation Colombian migrants
659gain access to these communities of practice and how they activate membership through their
660knowledge of the social, cultural and linguistic devices used in the community. In turn, this
661information will allow me to evaluate and identify the differences and similarities in the social,
662cultural and linguistic forms used by both generations to access the community. The second part of
663the study will set out to determine the social, cultural and linguistic differences that exist between
664first and second generation Colombians that either have contact or are currently actively involved in
665the Colombian diasporic working community in London.
24
666The study will examine the manners in which first and second generation Colombian migrants
667negotiate and learn to understand renewed forms of socio-cultural values, linguistic abilities and
668identity. Above all the purpose of the study is to demonstrate how differences between first and
669second generation migrants affect their relationships in the community and cause inter-generational
670conflict at work due to their different language ideologies, beliefs and values. In order to achieve
671this, it was important to review literature on language socialization, inter-generational
672communication in diasporic communities, intercultural communication and address terms. With this
673background information the study could determine whether tensions or conflict exist between first
674and second generation Colombian migrants in the community based on their generational
675differences in language ideology, culture and social awareness. Using address terms and pronominal
676forms in the study could determine each generational group and individual's linguistic competence
677and knowledge of the social and cultural norms of language that trigger common identities in
678conversation. This is of course an important feature that will help identify where tensions arise
679because of their differences as well as what their similarities in language use and linguistic ability
680are, it will shed light on the migrants knowledge of the community's social and cultural norms.
681These important points that have been raised should provide the study with the key determinants
682that cause inter-generational conflict in the Colombian diasporic working community.
683
684Based on the above, several factors call for a constructivist approach to the current research, which
685will include elements of qualitative research methods. As this is a fairly complex issue the study
686will be evaluating and analysing the attitudes and opinions of the participants.
687
688
689
25
6903.2.1 Research Questions & Hypotheses

691
692This study intends to answer the following questions in order to prove two hypotheses.
693
694
695
Colombian migrants affect work-related relationships and membership in the community? If
696
so, how are their cultural, social and linguistic norms negotiated?
697
698
and common cultural and ethnic backgrounds of interactants/interlocutors in order to gain
699
access to the Colombian diasporic working community?
700
701
702
H1: In order to enhance employment opportunities and build a support network, Colombian
703
migrants in London must utilise culturally specific address terms and modality in their
704
communication to gain access of existing Spanish-Speaking Latino (SSL) communities.
705
706
H2:
It is possible that an increased understanding of interculturality and language
707
socialization among the Latin American community in London could lead to improved
708
opportunities for both Spanish-Speaking Latino (SSL) migrants and second generation Latin
709
Americans to pursue higher education and develop new attitudes towards employment and
710
positive work habits.
711
712
713
26
7143.2.2 Research Problem

715
716The study analyses how first and second generation migrants gain and activate membership in
717Spanish-Speaking Latino communities, particularly the Colombian diasporic working community.
718The problem that arises is the tension and conflict that often occurs in inter-generational
719communication. Different beliefs, values and cultural ideologies all influence the ways in which
720first and second generation migrants identify themselves and impose identities on one another. To
721understand where these differences present themselves it is important to look into the process of
722language socialisation through the use of address terms, pronominal uses and language ideology.
723These linguistic forms are greatly influenced by cultural and social aspects of a language.
724Depending on how these forms are used and manipulated by an individual, one could determine the
725individual's social, cultural and linguistic competence of the language they are socialized by. It is
726therefore important to understand the significance social, cultural and linguistic forms have on the
727competence of certain groups and individuals involved with interacting with the Colombia diasporic
728community
729
730As the SSL migrant population grows in London, more second generation migrants follow their
731parents work dynamics. Generally working in low-paid jobs with poor working conditions they are
732faced with the challenging task of having to adapt their beliefs and values to one that closely
733resembles that of their parents. This places substantial pressure and tension on second generation
734individuals when they interact with second generation work colleagues and share ideas, attitudes
735and beliefs. There is of course a level of competence that each second generation individual posses
736and acquires throughout their lives which can affect how they communicate and behave around first
737generation migrants. However, there are also problems that exist with the first generation group in
27
738the form of their aspirations and plans for their children. Very few conform to the British way of
739living, instead they enact and maintain their existing identity in society, passing on their beliefs,
740values and desires. When confronted with a nuanced identity of themselves through their children
741or other second generation migrants tensions arise as a consequence of their reformed identities,
742skewed concepts of their social and cultural beliefs, as well as their linguistic abilities to
743communicate in a culturally driven way.
744
745This is a problem that exists within the wider Colombian diasporic community, therefore this study
746will look into finding ways in which both first and second generation migrants can learn to
747negotiate and renew their imposed identities in order to attain a more harmonious relationships.
748There are major developments that can take place within the community, in the sense that there
749could be more opportunities for both generations to strengthen the community by working together
750and developing affiliations both nationally and internationally with SSLs and Colombians abroad.
751
7523.3 Target Sample
753
754Sampling was achieved by targeting two specific groups which consisted of a split between first and
755second generation Colombian migrants living in London. The sample population included five first
756and three second generation Colombian migrants. The selected sample group were all involved with
757the Colombian diasporic community either through family or work; this was especially important
758for analysing the relationships between how first and second generation migrants at work. The
759sample group was over twenty years of age and either in part-time or full-time employment. The
760majority of participants were working in the domestic cleaning services job sector.
761
28
762It was essential to keep the study as flexible as possible and to select a conservatively small number
763of people because of the possible valuable information they could provide related to the research
764questions under examination.
765
766Accessing the sample was challenging and time consuming. I employed the snowballing technique
767to identify specific individuals able to answer the questions I had devised for the study. Although
768this method of sampling may not have been as efficient as others, it was cost-effective and lead to
769quality participants who were believed to best suit the scale and relevance of my research.
770
771 I had access to a wide variety of migrants, ranging from Latin American charities through to
772 domestic cleaning contractor companies. For reasons of validity and reliability of data all samples
773 that were accessed were examined on the appropriateness of each individual and their compatibility
774 for the research requirements. Once the sample group was selected I decided to build a slightly
775 more informal relationship with the participants as there may have been initial trust issues and lack
776 of understanding of the research. In this manner I could guarantee the reliability and authenticity of
777 the information that was provided. Building the relationships with the participants was crucial in
778 understanding their story and for them to be interested in the research before they agreed to sign the
779 ethics form and participate in the interviews.
780
7813.3.1 Data Collection & Analysis
782
783Once the reliability and validity of participants from the selected sample group was finally
784approved, they were individually briefed and asked to attend an individual interview. Each
785participant took part in an in-depth individual interview, which consisted of open and close-ended
29
786questions surrounding their attitudes and opinions about culture, society, work, language, inter787generational relationships and discourse markers such as forms of address used to communicate
788within the community as either a first or second generation Colombian migrant.
789
790All interviews were conducted at each of the participant's households except for two interviews
791which took place near to the participant's place of employment. Due to the time restrictions and
792restricted size of sample two individual interviews which took place simultaneously. As I was
793interviewing only two participants at the time it was not difficult to manage, distribute and
794coordinate the questions and answers.
795
796After all the interviews were completed and recorded (voice) they were transcribed. All of the first
797generation interviews were conducted in Spanish and the second generation interviews were
798conducted in English. After the interviews were transcribed they were translated into English. The
799data was analysed annotating key points and a small section of data from the transcripts was
800analysed using SPSS statistical software in order to quantify the data more effectively in
801manageable sections.
802
8033.4 Research Approach
804
805The research approach that was chosen played a fundamental role in the design and presented the
806various approaches in which it could contribute or limit the study.
807
808Following the purpose and nature of questions in the study I decided to follow the inductive
809approach. This approach will allow the study to describe, understand and explain the complex
30
810phenomenon of the Colombian diasporic community in London. The phenomenon of the

811Colombian diasporic community in the UK has had little literature published, nevertheless, there
812have been some studies that examine into this area (Block, 2008; Mcllwaine, 2005).
813
814 The qualitative approach will allow me to gain a deeper understanding of the topic and can be ideal
815in the collection, analysis, interpretation, and presentation of narrative information. Additionally,
816this type of analysis will allow me to discover patters, themes and categories in data, as opposed to
817deductive analysis where data is analysed according to an existing framework.
818
8193.5 Conclusion
820
821In order to effectively answer the proposed research questions and access a richer source of data the
822study will use a qualitative approach. Using this approach will benefit the study due to the size of
823the sample and the type of data that will be collected.. The research will look at eight participants
824and interview them in either Spanish or English based on their preference. The interviews aim to
825understand the differences in attitudes and beliefs that exist between first and second generation
826migrants in the Colombian diasporic community.
827
828
829
830
831
832
833
31
834CHAPTER 4 DATA ANALYSIS AND DISCUSSION OF RESULTS

835
8364.1 Introduction
837
838This chapter presents a summary of the findings, followed by a discussion of the results as related to
839the questions and hypotheses of the study.
840
841The results of this study are based on a qualitative analysis of the attitudes of both first and second
842generation Colombian diasporic worker's attitudes towards social, cultural and linguistic practices
843in the Colombian community. The results are further based on the working and social relationships
844between first and second generation working migrants in the context of a Colombian diasporic
845working community. In addition to from commentary and interviews with both first and second
846generation Colombian migrants, this study will look at the differences in the strategies employed to
847initiate and maintain relationships through the use of culturally specific address terms. In order to
848find the social, cultural and linguistic competencies of the second generation Colombians, data on
849address terms was collected and analysed against the address terms data of first generation
850Colombians. I looked at how confianza (confidence) affect the use of formal and informal address
851terms and how this indicates familiarity and knowledge of the community norms and language.
852
8534.2 Discussion of Results
854
855The interviews that were carried out in this study were all based on individuals. Due to the type of
856method that was employed in this study most of the participants where sampled through
857snowballing techniques. The aim of the study was to conduct six to eight in-depth individual
32
858interviews which would include two second-generation Colombian migrants and four to six first
859generation Colombian migrants. Initially, it was proposed that the study include a focus group of
860two second generation and two first generation Colombian migrants, but this was re-evaluated and
861changed, a pilot study the validity of the responses lacked quality and legitimacy. This was partly
862due to the restricted freedom participants had to freely express real opinions about each other's
863habits. Based on this discovery, it was decided that in order to keep the validity and flexibility of the
864study, interviews would only be carried out on individuals.
865The participants involved in the interviews were appropriate for the study as they all had knowledge
866of the Spanish Speaking Latino community in London and were members of the Colombian
867diasporic working community in London. All participants had previous experience working with or
868working for Colombian migrants in the domestic cleaning sector, except Jorge who despite this
869displayed a considerable amount of knowledge about the community. At the time of the study more
870than half of the participants were working in the domestic cleaning sector, which was crucial in
871order to understand the current situation of the diasporic working community in question. Most
872interviews where conducted in the respondents home except for two interviews that took place in
873the place of employment of two first-generation Colombian migrants. An hour of interview time
874was set aside for each interview and all interviews ended before the hour except for one interview
875with a first generation Colombian migrant which lasted longer than the set time. However, in this
876case it was important to keep the interview flexible as a lot of important information was being
877extracted and discussed for the benefit of the study.
878
879A total of eight individual interviews where completed in the space of two weeks. Three were
880conducted in the first week and five in the following week. All respondents took part in the
881interviews as individuals on a one to one basis, answering all the questions and pro-actively
33
882participated in the study through their responses and extra information.

883
8844.2.1 Participant Backgrounds
885
886Of the participants that were included in the study six were working in the domestic cleaning sector.
887The other two participants one worked as a chef and the other as an Account Manager. The six
888participants working in cleaning included four first generation Colombian migrants; Alexandra,
889Eddy, Hector and Fabio and two second generation Colombian migrants Milton and Toni. Jorge a
890second generation Colombian migrant, worked for a medium size firm as an Account Manager and
891Oscar, a first generation migrant worked as a Head Chef at a London restaurant. All second
892generation migrants were born in the UK, worked and had studied up to at least college level.
893
894Fig. 1 (below) displays a table with the participants' demographic information, including the type of
895membership they considered themselves to have within the Colombian diasporic community.
896
Name
Age Generation Type
Occupation
CommunityType
Alexandra
34
First Generation Migrant
Cleaner
Out-Community
Eddy
55
Cleaner
In-Community
Jorge
24
Second Generation Migrant
Account Manager
Out-Community
Hector
33
Cleaner
In-Community
Fabio
46
Cleaner
In-Community
Milton
20
Cleaner
Out-Community
Oscar
53
Chef
Other
Toni
21
Cleaner
In-Community
897Fig.1. Table of Participants

898
899
34
900Fig.2. 1st and 2nd Generation Migrant Community Representation

901
902Fig. 2 demonstrates that half of the participant's did not consider themselves to be active
903participants of the community, and the other 50 percent felt that they played an active role in the
904community. Of the first generation migrants two migrants did not consider themselves as playing an
905active role in the community, whereas the other half did consider themselves to be part of the
906community. Of the second generation migrants only one participant considered himself to be part of
907the community whereas the other two participants did not feel they played an active part in the
908community. This demographic information was crucial in measuring the participant's attitudes to
909social, cultural and linguistic attitudes as well as identifying how they perceive their own identity
910and others in and outside the community. A review of the transcripts showed that there was a
911relationship between the 'Type of Community Membership' and the social, cultural and linguistic
912attitudes displayed towards the wider community.
913
35
9144.2.2 Determinates of Inter-generational Conflict

915
916The study tested the following determinants of inter-generational conflict, all of which were
917reviewed in the literature review. These determinants are:
918
919
Imposed identities and membership
920
Contrasting social, cultural and language attitudes
921
Attitudes towards language maintenance and linguistic abilities
922
9234.2.2.1 Imposed identities and membership
924
925In all eight interviews that were conducted I found that the participants imposed identities on
926themselves and others within the Colombian diasporic community. All participants had different
927attitudes and beliefs concerning identity and membership which generally involved a lot of
928confusion, acceptance and rejection between first and second generation migrants.
929
930In the first section of the interview I asked the participants to explain whether they considered
931themselves to be active members of the Colombian diasporic community in London or not and what
932it meant to be part of that community. This data illustrates that although there are more second
933generation migrants distancing themselves from the community there are still cases of first
934generation migrants that decide to leave the community.
935
936Alexandra considers herself as a first generation migrant that has isolated herself from the SSL
36
937community. She states that:

938
939
Before I very much liked staying in contact (with the SSL community) because I
940
felt very lonely and I was in need but after seeing that there was not much help
941
offered, well little by little I started leaving.1
942
943
Pues antediormente me gustaba mucho estar en contacto porque me
944
sentia muy sola y necesitaba, pero al ver que uno no encuentra como mucha
945
ayuda pues yo me fui alejando poco a poco.2
946
947Alexandra demonstrates that she initially found comfort and support with the community as she
948identified more with the language and the cultural and social norms they managed. She describes
949how some people's attitudes and personalities change when they leave their native countries.
950According to Alexandra it is hard to find people that are consistently willing to help others in need.
951From Alexandra's testimony it is evident that in diasporic communities migrants rely on their fellow
952members for help but once there is rejection they find new means of support outside the community.
953Normally this widens the gap between themselves and their regular contact with the community.
954
955As well as changing attitudes and personalities Hector states that there is a lack of trust surrounding
956the community. These trust issues cause many first and second generation migrants to leave their
957communities and look for different relationships and contacts outside. Oscar mentions that in some
958cases Colombian migrants who have spent some time in the UK start to reject their own culture and
1
2
See Appendix A, Line 1823.

37
959identify more with British practices. They start to behave, emulate and form identities and
960personalities that fit into the society and culture. Oscar states:
961
962
...they are ashamed to show that they are Colombian, well because Colombians have
963
a bad reputation throughout the world as drug dealers and stuff, so many are ashamed
964
of speaking their language so they speak in English...they start to act like the English,
965
going to restaurants like the English, they go to the theatre like the English, their
966
friends are English, they don't mix with Colombians so they go on to form a different
967
identity... they start enculturating themselves in a new society...3
968
969
...le da pene que sepan que es colombiano por que pues el Colombiano tiene una
970
mala fama de todo mundo de narcotraficante y de todo esas cosas, entonces
971
muchos les da pena hablar en el idioma uno entonces hablan en ingles...Empiezan
972
a comportarsen como los ingleses, a ir a restaurantes como los ingleses, van al
973
teatro como los ingleses, las amistades son inglesas, no se rozan no se mesclan con
974
Colombianos entonces van creando como una identidad diferente... se van como
975
culturisando en una sociedad... totalmente diferente. 4
976
977Oscar clearly criticises those Colombians that decide to leave the community but most of all those
978that reject their own social, cultural and linguistic backgrounds in the way he has mentioned above.
979Oscar believes that in order to progress and develop in life, there is no need to abandon your
980identity: he believes that trying to mimic a new foreign indentity is troublesome.
981
3
4

See Appendix A, Line 4076..
38
982In contrast, Eddy believes that he has experienced a change in his identity as a result of migrating to
983the UK. He states that he has learned to be more objective about situations and respect both adults
984and the younger generations. While these changes to Eddy's identity may not seem immediately
985obvious as changes to his cultural ideologies, respecting and listening to the younger generations is
986not as common in Colombia as it is in the UK. Due to the high emphasis that is placed on respect
987and obedience to elders in Colombia and Latin American countries a large amount of problems arise
988when migrants confront their parents with different social, cultural and language ideologies. This
989problem projects itself in work situations when first and second generation migrants interact and
990work with each other. Most of the first generation participants display a mixture of confusion,
991acceptance and rejection when talking about second generation migrants. However, in examining
992the second generation migrant's opinions of whether they feel they have preserved their parents
993socio-cultural values and identity, they appear much clearer about their relationships with first
994generation migrants. When asked whether migrating has an impact on individuals and the family,
995Jorge responds:
996
997
I think the second generation person becomes a lot different... they become more
998
westernised...and you can definitely see a difference between the two groups...
999
between the second generation Colombian people and the migrants themselves. 5
1000
1001When asked whether he felt he preserved his parents beliefs and cultural values Jorge responded
1002that although he had kept some of his parents values he had also developed his own. Milton
1003supports Jorge's view, stating that:
1004
1005
...the society I've grown up in hasn't made me the person my parents want me to
5
39
1006
be... probably, and I've got a different attitude.... and I tend to speak more English
1007
because I'm use to that with my brothers.6
1008 To add to the statement above Toni, also a second generation migrant, expresses his belief that
1009there is tension that between 1st and 2nd generation migrants. He adds that first generation migrants
1010see the 2nd generation different because they dress and speak differently.
1011
1012Oscar believes that there are major cultural differences between first and second generation
1013migrants despite their shared heritage. He adds that many of the key elements that form the key
1014elements that form the identities of Colombians are different to those that second generation
1015migrants manage. Oscar identifies signs of rejection and confusion:
1016
1017
...the culture that they manage, the language that they use is different to our own,
1018
so that makes us different, but in no moment do we reject them as Colombians...
1019
there's were the question lies... that rejection, exists in the little knowledge of the
1020
language and our culture...that is what makes the native Colombian feel a little
1021
reserved with the someone that is from here. 7
1022
1023
...la cultura que ellos manejan nuestra, el lenguaje que ellos manejen nuestro es
1024
diferente al nuestro, entonces eso nos hace diferentes, pero en ningun momento
1025
nosotros los rechazamos como Colombianos... alli esta la cuestion...ese rechazo
1026
esta, es en el poco conosimiento del idioma y de la cultura nuestra...eso es lo que
1027
hace que el Colombiano nato se sienta un poquito prevenido con al que a estado
1028
aqui.8
6
7
8

40
1029
1030Furthermore, Oscar believes that second generation migrants have a different culture that is mainly
1031linked to music, fashion and movie stars and has little to do with Colombian culture. Eddy agrees
1032with Oscar's statement adding:
1033
1034
...Young people also change because they are with fashion, and where everything is
1035
modern..9
1036
1037
...los jovenes tambien cambian por que ellos estan donde esta la moda, donde esta
1038
lo moderno...10
1039
1040On the other hand Oscar considers that the identities and sociocultural values of the second
1041generation are often passed down and learnt through imitation of their parents and are occasionally
1042used in family reunions or around other Colombians. Following this observation one can assume
1043that 2nd generation migrants often negotiate and renewed their identities to adapt to first generation
1044migrants based on their understanding of cultural, social and linguistic norms. However, there is no
1045indication in the data that first generation migrants have adapted to the younger generation or
1046second generation migrants. There is a certain confusion that surrounds the community, particular in
1047the significance that 1st generation migrants place on learning English in order to improve their
1048social relations and work opportunities. Fabio expresses the importance of knowing English has on
1049his employment opportunities:
1050
1051
... when you come like this, not knowing the language... it's where you have to go
9 See Appendix A, Line 2592.
41
1052
because if you don't understand this language you are not going to have many
1053
opportunities... you have to be real and recognise if you know English...you can have
1054
better opportunities...11
1055
1056
... cuando uno venes asi, sin saber este idioma... es por donde tu te tienes que
1057
meter por que si no entiendes este idioma no va a tener muchas puertas
1058
abiertas ... hay que ser real y si tu te vienes con el ingles.. puedes tener mejores
1059
oportunidades por otro lado...12
1060
1061Fabio acknowledges that knowing English can improve employment opportunities and lead to new
1062possibilities other than sticking in the same community to either work in or find employment.
1063
10644.2.2.2 Social, cultural and language attitudes
1065
1066This section will be looking into the social, cultural and language attitudes of first and second
1067generation migrants. As both first and second generation migrants become socialised into different
1068cultures and societies they can experience changes in their social, cultural and language attitudes.
1069The majority of second generation migrants experience tension and conflict against their newly
1070developed identities, whereas first generation migrants experience this problem both at work and
1071with their children. In order to avoid inter-generational conflict and tension between first and
1072second generation migrants, they must negotiate social, cultural and linguistic norms. A major
1073problem that prevails in most first generation migrants is the lack of language use and language
1074skills. In the case of the second generation Colombian migrants the biggest problem is lack of
42
1075understanding of culture but most importantly their language ideologies and linguistic abilities.
1076Alexandra recognises language as being one of the major obstacles when arriving to the UK, adding
1077that as result of poor language skills the number of opportunities and time you spend with your
1078children decreases and in the long term affects family and marital relationships. Eddy adds that
1079without the necessary language skills in the UK migrants become outcasts in society.
1080
1081Although most second generation migrants recognise that there is tension and at times conflict
1082between what is perceived to be their own formed identity and their parents' identity, many fail to
1083see how they can negotiate their own cultural, linguistic and social norms with those of their parents
1084and work colleagues. In the previous section Oscar stated that although native Colombians do not
1085reject second generation migrants as Colombians the rejection that exists due to the limited
1086knowledge they have of the language and culture. When all of the 2 nd generation migrants were
1087asked about whether they believed a certain amount of tension existed between first and second
1088generation migrants they all agreed that their parents felt unhappy with the way they have reformed
1089their own identities and attitudes towards the British culture and language.
1090
1091Alexandra believes that most second generation migrants do not socialise enough with the Latino
1092community or Colombians and feels that they are slowly losing their identities. Alexandra states:
1093
1094
...the parents want the kids to be the same like them when they were in
1095
Colombia but now the kids that are brought up here are diffferent to the kids
1096
back home. Here the kids don't think things through very well, whereas a kid in
1097
Colombia is more on the ball and much faster...13
1098
43
1099
...los papas quieren que los jovenes sean iguales como que ellos cuando
1100
estaban en Colombia pero ya los jovenes que se crean aqui son diferentes a los
1101
jovenes de alla. Aqui los muchachos no piensan las cosas como muy bien,
1102
mientras un muchacho en colombia es mas listo, como mas rapido...14
1103
1104Alexandra adds that second generation migrants try to communicate like their parents and imitate
1105their communication styles. She believes that even if children are born in the UK they should all be
1106given the opportunity to learn how to speak in Spanish and learn about the culture in order to be
1107able to socialise within the Colombian and other Spanish Speaking Latino communities. Alexandra
1108feels that the tension and conflict that is caused between inter-generational migrants is down to the
1109parents and not English culture. She goes on to state that the younger generation born in the UK
1110have already become independent by the time they are sixteen years of age, not a common
1111occurance in Colombia. In Colombia family is very close and it is the norm for children to stay with
1112the family until they graduate or get married. Many Latin American families take on English
1113customs and teach their children only one side of their own identity. Alexandra places high
1114importance on traditional upbringing, which is why she believes that teaching core values such as
1115respect, culture and language benefits children more. Alexandra believes that there is a general lack
1116of discipline and respect in the way children are brought up in the UK, and when children grow up
1117they show less respect shown to adults. Alexandra feels that Latin American families that know how
1118to raise their children with their country's customs, values, education, culture and language in mind
1119to be accomplished individuals in the future.
1120Eddy agrees with Alexandra's previous comments refering to how second generation migrants lose
1121their parents' values, customs and culture. Eddy believes that some of the younger generation lack
44
1122respect for their elders. When asked whether he had either experienced or believed that there were
1123difficulties that existed between first and second generation migrants at work Eddy responded:
1124
1125
...the one that is from here doesn't change a bit... the thing is the one that is from
1126
here or the one from over there wants to dominate one another, only because the
1127
person from over there has his beliefs and impunity that says, I'm the toughest
1128
around here and no one is going to f**k with me and the one from here has f**ked
1129
himself and now he is trying to lead the other so that he doesnt f**k with him or he
1130
is setting rules based on his knowledge, that's how it is. 15
1131
1132
...el que es de aqui no cambia nada ...lo que pasa es que el de aqui o el de
1133
alla quiere dominar al uno o al otro, nomas porque el de alla trae su creyencia y
1134
su impunidad,que dice, yo soy el mas beraco y a mi no me va a joder nadie, y
1135
el de aqu pues ya se ha jodido y lo esta orientandolo para que no lo jodan o
1136
esta imponendo su conocimiento y asi es.16
1137
1138Hector expresses another point on what may tirgger possible tensions and conflicting situations
1139when working with 2nd generation migrants.
1140
1141
...if your brother is a person, lets say... a person that says, I was born here, I am one
1142
hundred percept English, lets say for sure that no Latino would not bother to get to
1143
know him one hundred percent... because know he will look over his shoulder at a
1144
person. 17
45
1145
1146
... si tu hermano es una persona mas, digamos... la persona que diga, "yo naci
1147aqui, yo me creo Ingles cien por ciento", degamos por seguro que mas de un latino no se
1148le arrimaria cien por ciento... por que ya el se va a ver por encima de la persona...18
1149
1150Based on the data collected from the interviews, it is evident that in order for second generation
1151migrants to negotiate social, cultural and linguistic norms they must use their knowledge of their
1152parents' culture and language and implement it when communicating within the community. As for
1153first generation migrants, they must learn to understand the culture of the country they are living in
1154and utilize combined knowledge of both the language and culture to understand culturally driven
1155communication and attitudes. When asked whether he thought that second generation migrants had
1156more advantages of acquiring better positions and accessing more resources based on their
1157knowledge of the language itself, Eddy stated:
1158
1159
Errm... yes but not only in English also in the knowledge of how you should behave
1160
or maybe knowledge of where to go from a certain place to another where it is much
1161
easier. There are many forms of knowledge.19
1162
1163
ermm..si pero no solamente en el ingles pero en el conocimiento de como debe
1164
manejarse o tal vez el conocimiento de como debe irse de tal parte a tal sitio
1165
donde queda mas facil. Hay muchos medios de conocimiento.20
1166
1167Eddy displays a significant piece of understanding that shows that cultural as well as linguistic and
46
1168social knowledge of the country in which you are working and living in requires more than
1169language awareness. Without the social, cultural and language awareness of a country or
1170community you cannot socialised to community-specific ways of using language. To a certain
1171extent this equally translates itself into the communication that takes place between first and second
1172generation migrants and leads to more successful communication.
1173
11744.2.2.3 Language maintenance & Linguistic abilities
1175
1176The linguistic abilities of second generation migrants vary depending on the level of contact they
1177have with the language as well as their knowledge of social and cultural backgrounds of a
1178community.
1179
1180When analysing all three second generation interview transcripts (Jorge, Toni and Milton) each
1181mentioned how they felt they had good knowledge of the language, although this varied to a certain
1182degree. Jorge and Toni both felt that they could use and understand the language with fluency but
1183admitted that there were some slight differences between their linguistic abilities and those of a
1184native speaker. For example, Jorge felt that although he usually uses Spanish to speak with his
1185parents, Latin Americans and Spanish people he felt that there was an obvious difference in the
1186competence of first and second generation migrants, that being that first generation migrants had a
1187better command of Spanish that second generations. Additionally, Milton and Toni made some
1188interesting observations when asked whether they had a different language ideology to 1 st
1189generation migrants and both participants mentioned that when speaking to an older or first
1190generation migrants, Milton used his language wisely and Toni would communicate with 'respect'.
1191Milton identifies a slight variation in his accent; however he feels fully confident using community-
47
1192specific ways of using language.

1193
1194The interview findings showed that Milton and Toni were more interested in maintaining their
1195parents native language and felt that it was important for their sense of identity. They understand
1196that they have formed new identities but feel that maintaining their parents native language is
1197important for socialising and accessing the SSL communities, and in particular the Colombian
1198diasporic community. On the other hand, Jorge felt that maintaining his parents native language
1199was not important as he mainly communicated in English with friends and at work. He felt that
1200losing his linguistic abilities of the language did not affect his identity. These key comments clearly
1201demonstrate how regular contact with the Colombian diasporic community manifests more interest
1202in maintaining the community language and having much more linguistic awareness. Milton and
1203Toni both work in the domestic cleaning sector and as a result have regular contact with
1204Colombians whereas Jorge works and socialises with English friends both in and outside of work.
1205An interesting observation that was made was the significance migrants showed towards learning
1206English but most importantly the emphasis that was put on identity and language maintenance.
1207Seven out of eight participants felt that maintaining their native language or their parents native
1208language which in this case is Spanish was crucial for their identity. See Fig. 3 below.
1209
1210
1211
48
1212Fig.3. Members of community

1213
1214
1215Although first generation migrants consider themselves as having different identities to the
1216constructed identities of second generation migrants, Oscar states that their social and cultural
1217norms can be negotiated even if the second generation migrant was not born in the same country but
1218manages to utilize and manipulate both linguistic and cultural concepts to aid communication.
1219According to Oscar:
1220
1221
What highlights the difference and distance between the generations here and the
1222
people that come from over there is exactly the use of language and the use of
1223
cultural concepts.21
1224
1225
Lo que marca la diferencia y el distanciamiento de las generaciones de aqui y la
1226
gente que viene de alla es exactamente el manejo del lenguaje y el manejo de los
1227
conceptos culturales.22
1228
1229Oscar demonstrates that tension and conflicts between first and second generations may derive from
1230the lack of knowledge 2nd generation migrants have of their parents native language. This
1231knowledge of linguistic and cultural concepts is especially important when accessing and activating
1232membership through SSL communities. There are culturally driven linguistic forms that can be
1233employed to activate membership and common cultural and ethnic backgrounds of interlocutors.
1234The following section will look at these linguistic devices in more detail.
1235
12364.3 Address Terms Activating Membership
49
1237
1238This section of the study looks at the explicit use of address terms used by first and second
1239generation members of the Colombian diasporic community in London. Interviews with the
1240participants allowed me to extract relevant information on the different types of culturally specific
1241address terms and pronominal uses which included formal and informal address terms. The data that
1242was collected allowed me to understand ways in which cultural, social and linguistic knowledge of
1243language influence relationships between first and second generation migrants in the community.
1244The differences in beliefs and values also influence the way language is used and perceived,
1245therefore by looking at specific linguistic devices such as address terms I was able to measure the
1246participants knowledge of the language on a number of points. These included linguistic
1247competence, social awareness, cultural knowledge and language ideology. These points allowed me
1248to look at how both first and second generation migrants use formal and informal address terms in
1249order to activate membership and establish common cultural, social, linguistic and ethnic
1250backgrounds within the community. This formed as a particularly important part of the study as it
1251provided an insight into why conflict and tension could exist between 1 st and 2nd generation
1252members of the Colombian diasporic working community.
1253
1254In order to test second generation migrants on their linguistic abilities and knowledge of social and
1255culturally recognised address terms I divided the address terms into two categories: formal and
1256informal. From these categories, I was able to attain certain findings and opinions with regards to
1257how participants used culturally specific address terms to initiate and activate common social,
1258cultural and linguistic forms. This was particularly important as it allowed me to achieve a better
1259understanding of the differences that occur between the forms in which first generation migrants
1260communicate when compared to second generation migrants. The analysis was largely influenced
50
1261by the type of address terms that the participants used and their opinions about their own language
1262ideologies and language proficiency. The address terms that were used by both first and second
1263generation migrants were compared and contrasted, therefore based on this information I was able
1264to assess the extent to which first and second generation migrants used different terms of address.
1265
1266The data collected was gathered from both first and second generation migrants. I was particularly
1267interested in assessing the manner in which participants would initiate a greeting and had little to do
1268with the variety of terms that could be used to address an individual inside the community.
1269However, the alternatives to using address terms were recorded and considered as important
1270precursors that displayed the participant's knowledge and variation of culturally specific address
1271terms and language. This was especially important in the case of second generation migrants as it
1272showed their linguistic ability, social and cultural knowledge of how to use the language.
1273
1274The data focused on two major categories of address terms, formal and informal. In this way the
1275information that was elicited could be compared and contrasted against important cultural and
1276social contextual cues in language such as respeto (respect) and confianza (confidence), which to a
1277certain extent are similar to the dimensions of 'power' and 'solidarity' discovered by Brown and
1278Gilman (1960). The selection process of terms in the interview involved the interviewer asking the
1279participants to give a number of examples of terms used to communicate on the initial contact and
1280salutation at the beginning of an interaction to another member of the community. The participants
1281were asked to give examples of address and salutation based on whether they knew the person or in
1282this case have confiaza and the second option was dependent upon not knowing the person or
1283having little contact and confianza with the person with whom they initiate a conversation. The
1284latter option can also be viewed as a sign of respeto (respect), based on power, social hierarchy and
51
1285employment position at work. The data elicited was categorised and placed into a table outlining the
1286formal and informal address terms used by both first and second generation migrants. Fig 4 displays
1287a variety of formal and informal address terms.
1288
Participants
Type
FormalAddress
InformalAddress
Eddy
First generation
Migrant
Hello, how are you?

Hola, com esta?
Hola
How are you?
Como esta?
Alexandra
First generation
Migrant
Oscar
First generation
Migrant
Toni
Second
generation
Migrant
Good Morning
Buenos das
Buenos dias, como esta?
Buenos dias
Good afternoon
Buenas tardes
Buenos dias
How are ya, what are you doing
around here?
Que'ay, como esta, que hace por aca?
What's happening brother?
Que'ubo hermano?
Sir Don
How's it going?
Quemas?
Mister Senor
Doctor Doctor
What's up man?
Utd que hombre?
How are you?

Como te encuentras?
Are you alright?
Bien o no?
How is it going?
Quemas?
Hola
Hola, como esta?
Pijuya
Pirobo
What's happening?
Entonces que?
What's hap'ning
Ento'es que?
Everything good mate?
Todo bien parsero?
Ento'es que parse?
All good mate?
What's happening big man?
Ento'es que caravana?
How are you brother?
Como esta llave?
Milton
Second
generation
Migrant
Hola
Hola, como esta?
Jorge
Second
generation
Migrant
Hello, nice to meet you?

Hola, mucho gusto?
Hola como esta?
What's happening?
Que'ubo?
Hector
First generation
Hola
What's up kid?
52
Migrant
Fabio
First generation
Migrant
Hola, como esta?
Que'ubo mjo, utd que?
Buenos dias
Entonces que parcerito?

What's happening man?
Que pasa guevon?
Bro
Parce
Hola
Hola, como esta?
Buenos dias
How are you friends?
Que maricon?
Como le ha ido?
Utd que?
Como estuvo la cosa?
1289Fig 4. Formal and Informal Address Terms

1290
1291The tables below display a variety of address terms used to communicate in formal and informal
1292contexts. From the terms above we can find the varieties of address that are more commonly used in
1293this group of participants. Fig 5.1 and Fig 5.2 show the most popular formal and informal address
1294terms used by the participants.
1295
1296
1297
Type of Migrant Generation
Formal Address Option1
Informal Address Option1
First Gen Migrant
Second Gen Migrant
Frequency
Frequency
Hola
Buenos Dias/Buenas Tardes
Que'ubo/Que'ay
Parce/llave
Guevon/Marico
1298Fig 5.1 Option 1: Frequency of Formal & Informal Address Terms

1299
1300
Type of Migrant Generation
Formal Address Option 2
Informal Address Option 2
First Gen Migrant
Second Gen Migrant
Frecuency
Frecuency
Hola
Buenos Dias/ Buenas Tardes
other
Que'ubo
53
Parce
Guevon/Maricon
other
1301Fig 5.2 Option 2: Frequency of Formal & Informal Address Terms

1302
1303
1304Fig 5.1 and Fig. 5.2 demonstrate that first generation migrants use a larger variety of address terms
1305than first generation migrants. First generation participants also display higher competency in
1306culturally specific formal and informal address terms, whereas the second generation participants
1307showed more basic knowledge of these terms. These results indicate that although the second
1308generation participants do have knowledge of culturally specific address terms in both formal and
1309informal uses, they lack variety. However, Toni's interview demonstrates that he posses a more
1310complex linguistic variety of address terms. Toni contributed more varieties of address terms than
1311any other second generation participant. Fig.4 shows one of Toni's preferred formal terms of
1312address, bien o no?, carry's a degree of respeto (respect) but at the same time presents a degree of
1313confianza (confidence). This is an example of a complex and culturally specific address term that
1314can be used as both a formal and informal salutation based on the context and relationship with an
1315interlocutor. With these types of address terms there is a degree of confidence and respect that
1316applies to each and every formal address term. Unlike informal address terms, formal pronominal
1317and language use is based on the context and the relationship with the interlocutor. For example, the
1318term Hola (Hello) is a very popular form of address that can be manipulated to present respect and
1319confidence to a greeting. Hola can be used to initiate conversation or display a sign of respect.
1320Unlike popular terms such as Buenos dias (good morning), Hola is a variable term that can even be
1321used to initiate conversation with very close friends, family members and work colleagues.
1322Therefore Hola presents a certain degree of respect and confidence when used in variety of contexts
1323and with a variety of interlocutors. On the other hand, if we take a closer look at Buenos dias we
1324can see that it is a term used to show respect and not confianza (confidence). While this term is
54
1325rarely used between family members, it could be applied in a work situation with a group of people
1326someone is already familiar with but with whom they do not have the right amount of confianza
1327(confidence) to greet informally.
1328
1329Fig.4 shows that first generation migrants used both varieties of Hola and Buenos Dias, whereas
1330second generation migrants only used varieties of Hola as their only formal term. This indicates that
1331generation migrants are predisposed to use less formal varieties of address than first generation
1332migrants. Additionally, this demonstrates that second generation migrants may lack a certain degree
1333of respect, which is crucial in order to initiate conversation with older generations effectively within
1334the community.
1335
1336Within the Colombian diasporic community solidarity and respect are key factors that help structure
1337and build relationships through language use and awareness. Respect for others and obedience to
1338authority can be actively demonstrated through communication, particularly through the use of
1339address terms. Speakers combine social, cultural and linguistic expressions to activate membership
1340and trigger common social, cultural, linguistic and ethnic backgrounds.
1341
1342In the case of the second generation participants Eddy and Alexandra explain that although there is
1343still a lot of respect for the older generation, their differences in language and ideology presents
1344obstacles, tension and conflict when communicating with each other. Oscar goes further still to say
1345that second generation migrants have different ways of expressing themselves and of using their
1346parents' native language.
1347
1348We can say that based on these opinions second generation migrants are seen as having less
55
1349awareness of culturally specific language, which can largely affect their relationships between
1350members of the Colombian diasporic community. Second generation migrants are considered equal
1351but largely perceived as different to native speakers of the language. Language ideology and
1352language use plays a vital role in the reformulation of identities. Making certain decisions such as
1353how to use language, what terms to use, what forms of politeness, formality and informality
1354ultimately affects communication.
1355
1356In comparing Toni's address terms to that of Jorge and Milton's it is evident that Toni displays
1357broader knowledge and varieties of both formal and informal address terms (see Fig. 4). Toni
1358considers himself to be part of the community unlike Jorge and Milton, which to a certain extent
1359can affect how he interacts with the community. However, despite the fact that Jorge and Milton do
1360not consider themselves to be part of the community they present a knowledge of how members of
1361the community communicate and use informal address terms. Jorge's example of an informal
1362address term is the word que'ubo, which means what's happening?, on the other hand Milton's
1363example of informal address was como esta llave?, meaning, how are you brother?.
1364
13654.4 Findings
1366
1367The key findings that were analysed and discussed in relation to the research questions have
1368allowed me to form a solid conclusion. The information that the literature review and transcript data
1369contribute is important and a crucial response to the research questions that have been presented in
1370the study. In order to better understand what the final findings are we must return back to the initial
1371questions in order to ascertain whether or not the literature review and transcript data have indeed
1372helped answer those key questions.
56
1373
1374The research questions were:
1375
1376
1377
Colombian migrants affect work-related relationships, identity and membership into the
1378
community? If so, how are their cultural,social and linguistic norms negotiated?
1379
1380
and common cultural and ethnic backgrounds of interactants/interlocutors in order to gain
1381
access to the Colombian diasporic working community?
1382
1383Both the literature review and the findings of the survey present answers to these questions. The
1384transcript data and literature review, provide evidence of the determinates of inter-generational work
1385conflict between 1st and 2nd generation migrants and the ways in which their cultural, social and
1386linguistic norms are negotiated. The relevant forms of address that help activate membership into
1387the Colombian diasporic community are as follows:
1388
1389
Subject
Socio-cultural
attitudes
First generation
View 2nd generation as influenced

by British culture.
Maintain same attitudes and stay in
one group.
See the second generation
differently because of the way they
dress and socialise with different
people.
Grew up in a different environment
and identify themselves as having
different values.
Believe in a wide spread lack of
respect and community values
Second generation
Growing up with a more

westernised and
independent mentality and
having different attitudes.
Socialise in variety of
different groups.
Different values and
practices.
Adjust communication
strategies when speaking
with first generation.
Form different identities to
parents (first generation).
57
Language
ideologies and
linguistic
abilities
Negotiated and
renewed sociocultural and
linguistic norms
among second generation

Colombians.
Envision a future in Colombia.
No intention of returning to
Colombian to live.
Feel they have to compensate when

speaking to second generation in
Spanish.
Loose some linguistic ability of
native language over time.
View their lower English language
as a constraint.
Place high importance on Spanish
language as vital to maintaining
their Colombian identity.
Prefer to use English,

including in the home.
Some place low importance
on Spanish language in
maintaining their identity.
More confident speaking
English than Spanish.
Limited use of linguistic
forms such as switching
between formal and
informal address terms.
Place high value on good attitude

and respect.
Prefer use of correct Spanish.
Highlight the importance of
learning English and the cultural
and social norms.
Membership
and Forms of
Address
Believe membership is not gained

but inherent based on ethnic
background. However, believe that
membership must be activated in
order to access the community.
Use a wider variety of formal
address terms and pronominal
forms.
Consider openness and confidence
in language important when
addressing friends and co-workers
through the use of culturally
specific address terms and
pronominal forms.
Respect for cultural and

social norms of first
generation.
When speaking to first
generation utilize Spanish
and use appropriate forms
of address.
More approachable and
respectable when
communicating with
members of the community.
Believe that membership is
inherent based on their
ethnic backgrounds.
Use less formal and
pronominal forms of
address.
Place high value on respect
when communicating with
second generation
Colombians.
Limited conversation
initiating techniques. This is
evident by the limited
knowledge of address terms.
Although they understand
informal ways of utilizing
language they lack in
knowledge and confidence
to use these linguistic tools
inside the community.
1390Fig 6. Negotiated and renewed identities

58
1391
1392The above table (Fig. 6) illustrates that there is obvious tension that exists between first and second
1393generation migrants based on their conflicting beliefs but most notable are the barriers that are
1394placed in front of second generation Colombians by the first generation. Their differences in values
1395and beliefs and social and cultural backgrounds contribute to the ongoing conflict that exists
1396between these two groups at work or in the community. One ways of negotiating and reformulating
1397these contrasting attitudes is by creating a deeper understanding of each others social and cultural
1398backgrounds through language learning. From the research that was conducted in the study it is
1399evident that first generation immigrants who are able to attain a good grounding in English (the
1400language of the host country) early upon arrival are likely to have better relations with the second
1401generation and improved employment prospects.
1402
1403As a result of the above findings for the research questions, it is clear that the hypotheses are valid:
1404
In order to enhance employment opportunities and build a support network, Colombian
1405
migrants in London must utilise culturally specific address and modality in their
1406
communication to gain access of existing SSL communities.
1407
It is possible that an increased understanding of interculturality and language socialization
1408
among the Latin American community in London could lead to improved opportunities
for
1409
both Spanish-Speaking Latino (SSL) migrants and second generation Latin Americans to
1410
pursue higher education and develop new attitudes towards employment and positive work
1411
habits.
1412
14134.5 Conclusion
1414
1415As has been shown in the findings above, the interviews with first and second generation uncover
59
1416the key determinants of inter-generational conflict at work and inside the Colombian diasporic
1417community as well as the negotiation and reformulation of social, cultural and linguistic norms. The
1418findings also point to the use of culturally specific formal and informal address terms that bolster
1419the opportunities to activate and gain access into existing SSL communities and the Colombian
1420diasporic working community. The analysis of literature and findings from the interviews show that
1421the data provided has responded to the research questions and validated the hypothesis. The next
1422chapter will discuss the effect of the results and provide a guide to future development in this area
1423of study.
1424
1425
1426
1427
1428CHAPTER 5 CONCLUSION
1429
14305.1 Introduction
1431
1432This chapter provides a summary of the findings as well as a discussion of the results connected to
1433the purpose of the objectives of the research question. In accordance with the analysis of data from
1434the previous chapter, detailed conclusions will be presented. Limitations of the research will be
1435discussed as well as the future recommendations for future research in this area of study.
1436
14375.2 Summary of the research
1438
1439There have been limited studies focusing on SSL communities in London, particularly the
60
1440Colombian diasporic community in London. However, there have been numerous studies that look
1441into other communities, such as Zhu Hua's study (2010) on the Chinese diasporic community and
1442inter-generational communication. Although there has been limited communication studies carried
1443out on the SSL communities in London, various other individual studies focusing on language
1444maintenance, code-switching and language socialisation have played a vital role in the formation of
1445the research. The study contributes to this body of research by providing new findings on how
1446differences in language, cultural and social backgrounds between the first and second generation
1447Colombian migrant population is affect not only family but community and work relations. The
1448growing wave of British Colombians or second generation Colombian migrants has brought first
1449and second generation migrants closer in work situations and within the community. Differences in
1450attitudes and imposed identities causes tension in these respective groups; therefore a mutual
1451understanding of language, cultural and linguistic backgrounds makes for improved relations.
1452In order to understand how theses differences between first and second generation migrants
1453manifest itself and the ways in which they could negotiate and reform identities in order to improve
1454relations and access the community, the study prosed two research questions and two hypotheses.
1455
1456The findings of the study can be outlined by the validation of both of the hypotheses. The findings
1457have helped provide an insight into the reasons behind inter-generational conflict in the Colombian
1458diasporic community as well as identifying how these differences can be reconciled in order to
1459improve relationships inside the community, at work and how they can improve educational and
1460work based opportunities. Through the analysis of relationships between first and second generation
1461Colombian migrants within the community, this study found that cultural, social and linguistic
1462differences were the biggest contributors to tension in the community, as well as conflicting
1463attitudes, values and beliefs surrounding these key determinants of inter-generational conflict.
61
1464
1465Furthermore, the study uncovered possible solutions relating to how first and second generation
1466Colombian migrants could negotiate and renew their attitudes towards their respective cultural,
1467social and linguistic differences. The study showed that although there is an evident tendency for
1468second generation migrants to leave the community and avoid socialising in these groups, many fall
1469into work or the community. They are then presented with the major problem of socialising and
1470trying to activate their membership in the community through their knowledge of the cultural, social
1471and linguistic norms that are commonly used. Therefore it is important for second generation
1472migrants to knowledge of these norms that are handled in the community in order to improve and
1473harmonize relations in the community and at work. On the other hand, first generation migrants,
1474although they are for the most part conformist and faithful to their beliefs and values about social,
1475cultural and linguistic attitudes they see that educating themselves and socialising outside the
1476community can improve both their work related and social opportunities. This indicates that with a
1477renewed understanding of the culture and language in which they are communicating, they can
1478better understand the second generations. The study found that there is a general lack of
1479understanding and acceptance towards second generation Colombians as a result of their
1480reformulated identities of living in London and being raised up differently to their parents. The first
1481generation migrants would impose identities on the second generation and expect them to mirror the
1482social, cultural and linguistic attitudes of their parents. Simultaneously, first generation migrants
1483would acknowledge their differences based on their contact with different groups of people,
1484education and language. As a result, the study found that the absence of socialisation within groups
1485outside of the closely knit community affected their attitudes towards the second generation.
1486Equally, the poor understanding of the country's default language had a negative impact upon their
1487employment opportunities and results in an ever encompassing chain of migrant workers that
62
1488exclude themselves from the wider community. This effect can cause tensions between first and
1489second generation migrants working together and affect the opportunities that flow into the
1490community.
1491
1492This study was found that although keeping the cultural, social and linguistic attitudes helped form
1493the identities of first and second generation migrants, the long terms effects were that of excluding
1494themselves from the wider community which led to economic and social problems for some
1495participants.
1496
14975.3 Limitations of the research
1498
1499One limitation of the research was the size of the sample and the distribution between age and
1500gender that represented the study. While this limitation is mentioned in the recommendations for the
1501future development of the research, the finding would not necessarily represent the same conclusion
1502if the size of the sample were bigger and the age and gender more distributed. There are other
1503factors that affected the research, such as varying lengths of interview, time constraints and
1504unexpected changes to interview schedules.
1505
1506The study focused on a specific sample of both first and second generation Colombian migrants that
1507have contact with the Colombian diasporic working community in London. Therefore the findings
1508cannot be generalised or taken as representative of the wider population of first and second
1509generation Colombian migrants in other areas of the UK or living in London.
1510
1511A further limitation was the result the group interviews that took place in the pilot study between
63
1512first and second generation migrants. The group interviews did not offer the quality of information
1513that the study required. Views were very guarded and not representative of their real beliefs and
1514attitudes of one another. A possible solution would have been to interview one set of first generation
1515Colombian migrants and one set of second generation Colombian. In this way the study would have
1516elicited greater knowledge of beliefs and opinions about the Colombian diasporic community and
1517their respective opinion and attitudes regarding one another. In summary, a larger population sample
1518would have been an ideal solution in order to represent the findings of the study.
1519
15205.4 Future development
1521
1522The first recommendation for future developments in this area of research would be a mixed
1523methods of study looking into the attitudes and opinions of a more expansive population of first and
1524second generation SSL migrants living in the UK. Determining how their area of work affects their
1525language socialisation and cultural, social and linguistic attitudes as well as the effect this has on
1526their membership to the community and their identities. This study would investigate how social1527economic differences affect the attitudes and beliefs of groups of first and second generation
1528migrants and could possibly determine how community is used and how they see themselves and
1529their identity based on their employment background and generation type.
1530
15315.5 Conclusion
1532
1533Researching language socialisation in the Colombian diasporic community in London, particularly
1534looking into the relationships between first and second generation migrants at work is a relatively
1535new research area. A review of previous research in this field demonstrates inter-generational
64
1536tension in families and how these tensions can be reconciled through language socialisation. The
1537purpose of this study was to investigate how community membership can help not only first but
1538second generation migrants in accessing work opportunities and building relationships. However,
1539the research also looks into how conflicting values and beliefs between these two groups affect
1540community membership and relations at work. With the growing population of second generation
1541migrants falling into the same work routines as their parents it was important to identify the
1542problem that exist between these groups not only in a family setting but also at work. The research
1543found a link between the differences in first and second generation members and how that linked to
1544the difference in their cultural, social and linguistic attitudes.
1545
1546
1547
1548
1549
1550REFERENCES
1551
1552Alba, R., & Nee, V. (2003). Remaking the American Mainstream: Assimilation and Contemporary
1553Immigration. Harvard University Press, Cambridge, MA.
1554
1555Axelson, E. (2007). Vocatives: A double-edged strategy in intercultural discourse among graduate
1556students. Pragmatics, 17(1), 95-122.
1557
1558Baquedano-Lpez, P. & Kattan, S. (2007). Growing up in a multilingual community: Insights from
1559Language socialization. In P. Auer & Li Wei (eds.), Handbook of multilingualism and multilingual
1560communication (pp. 69-100). Berlin: Mouton de Gruyter.
1561
1562Baumann, G. (1999). The multicultural riddle: Rethinking national, ethnic and religious identities.
1563London: Routledge.
1564
1565Bermdez Torres, A. (2003).Navigation guide to refugee populations in the UK: Colombians.
1566London: ICAR (Information Centre about Asylum and Refugees in the UK).
1567
1568Block, D. (2006). Multilingual identities in a global city: London stories. London: Palgrave.
1569
1570Block, D. (2008), The Increasing Presence of Spanish-Speaking Latinos in London: An Emergent
1571Community?, Journal of Language, Identity & Education, 1532-7701, Volume 7, Issue 1, 2008,
1572Pages 5 21.
1573
65
1574Brown, R.,& Ford, M. (1964): Address in American English. In: Hymes, Dell H.
1575(ed.):Language in culture and society. New York: 234 244.
1576
1577Brown, R., & Gilman, A. (1960). The pronouns of power and solidarity. In T. A. Sebeok, (ed.) Style
1578and Language (pp. 253-76). Cambridge, MA: MIT Press.
1579
1580Carlisle, F. (2006) Marginalisation and ideas of community among Latin American migrants to the
1581UK, Gender and Development, 14:2, 235-245.
1582
1583Chiu, M., Feldman, S., & Rosenthal, D. (1992). The influence of immigration on parental behavior
1584and adolescent distress in Chinese families residing in two Western nations. Journal of Research on
1585Adolescence, 2, 205-239.
1586
1587Clyne, Michael (1999), Inter-cultural communication at work: cultural values in discourse,
1588Cambridge University Press.
1589
1590Cock, J. (2007) Colombian Spaces of Transnationality in London. Upgrade document from M.Phil.
1591to PhD, Department of Geography, Queen Mary, University of London.
1592
1593Corsaro, W. (1997). The sociology of childhood. Thousand Oaks: Sage/Ping Forge Press.
1594
1595Decho, P. and Diamond, C. (1998) Latin Americans in London: A Select List of Prominent Latin
1596Americans in London. 1800-1996, Institute of Latin American Studies, London.
1597
1598Dempsey, R., & Lema, J. C. (1998). La comunidad colombiana en Londres. Peterborough, UK:
1599Open Channels.
1600
1601Eckert, P., & McConnell-Ginet, S. (1999). New generalizations and explanations in language and
1602gender research. Language in Society, 28(2), 185-201.
1603
1604Gee, J. P. (1996). Social linguistics and literacies: Ideology in discourses. London: Falmer Press.
1605
1606Gudykunst, W. B. (1994). Bridging differences: Effective intergroup communication (2nd edition).
1607Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage.
1608
1609Gumperz, J. (1982) Discourse strategies. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
1610
1611Guarnizo, L. (2006) Londres Latina: La Presencia Colombiana en la Capital Britnica. Mimeo.
1612University of California, Davis.
1613
1614Guarnizo, L. (2008) Londres Latina: La Presencia Colombiana en la Capital Britnica.
1615Universidad de Zacatecas and Miguel Angel Porra: Mexico DF.
1616
1617Heath, S. B. (1983). Ways with words: Language, life and work in communities and classrooms.
1618Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
1619
1620Higgins, C. (2007a) Constructing membership in the in-group: Affiliation and resistance among
1621Urban Tanzanians. Pragmatics, 17(1), 49-70.
66
1622
1623Higgins, C. (2007b). Introduction: A closer look at cultural difference: Interculturality in talk-in1624interaction. Pragmatics, 17(1), 1-8.
1625
1626Hofstede, G. (1980). Cultures consequences: International differences in work-related values.
1627Beverly Hills: Sage.
1628
1629Holliday, A., Hyde, M., & Kullman, J. (2004). Intercultural communication: An advanced resource
1630book. London: Routledge.
1631
1632Hughes, A. (2005). La inmigracin espaola a Australia del Sur: el establecimiento y el
1633mantenimiento de la cultura espaola de los emigrantes espaoles de los aos 60 . Unpublished
1634Honours Thesis, Flinders University.
1635
1636Hymes, D. H., (1967): "Models of interaction of language and social setting".
1637Journal of Social Issues 23/2: 828.
1638
1639Kroskrity, P.V. (2004). Language ideologies. In A. Duranti (ed.), A Companion to Linguistic
1640Anthropology (pp.496-517). Oxford: Blackwell Publishing.
1641
1642Kyambi, S. (2005) Beyond Black and White: Mapping New Immigrant Communities, Institute for
1643Public Policy Research, London.
1644
1645Lam, W. S. E. (2004). Second Language Socialization in a Bilingual Chat Room: Global and
1646Local Considerations. Language Learning & Technology. Vol. 8, No. 3, September 2004, pp.44-65 .
1647
1648Levinson, S. C. (1983). Pragmatics. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
1649
1650Mcllwaine, C. (2005). Coping practices among Colombian migrants in London. London: Queen
1651Mary, University of London.
1652
1653Mcllwaine, C., Datta, K., Evans, Y., Herbert, J., May, J., & Wills, J. (2006). Work and survival
1654strategies among low-paid migrants in London: Queen Mary, University of London.
1655
1656McIlwaine, C. (2007) Living in Latin London: How Latin American Migrants Survive in the City,
1657Department of Geography, Queen Mary, University of London.
1658
1659Miller, R. (1998) Introduction. In Decho, P. and Diamond, C. Latin Americans in London: A Select
1660List of Prominent Latin Americans in London.1800-1996, Institute of Latin American Studies,
1661London.
1662
1663Modood, T., Berthoud, R., Lakey, J., Nazroo, J., Smith, P., Virdee, S. et al. (1997). Ethnic minorities
1664in Britain: Diversity and disadvantage. London: Policy Studies Institute.
1665
1666Moles, Jerry A. (1974): "Decisions and variability. The usage of address terms
1667
pronouns and
1668languages by Quechua-Spanish bilinguals in Peru". Anthropological linguistics
67
1669
16/9: 442463.
1670
1671Mori, J. (2003). The construction of interculturality: A study of initial encounters between Japanese
1672and American students. Research on Language and Social Interaction. 36(2). 143-184.
1673
1674Mori, J. (2007). Reconstructing the participants treatment of interculturality: Variations in data
1675and methodologies. Pragmatics, 17(1), 123-141.
1676
1677Mhlhusler, P. & Harr, R. (1990). Pronouns and people: The Linguistic construction of social
1678and personal identity. Oxford: Basil Blackwell.
1679
1680Nishizaka, A. (1995). The interactive constitution of interculturality: How to be a Japanese with
1681words. Human Studies, 18(2-3), 301-326.
1682
1683Ochs, E., & Schieffelin, B. B. (1995). The impact of language socialization on grammatical
1684development. In P. Fletcher & B. MacWhinney (eds.), Handbook of Child Language (pp.73-94).
1685Oxford: Blackwell Publishing.
1686
1687Pellegrino, A. (2004). Migration from Latin America to Europe: Trends and policy challenges.
1688
1689Phinney, J. S., Ong, A., & Madden, T. (2000). Cultural values and intergenerational value
1690discrepancies in immigrant and non-immigrant families. Child Development, 71 (2), 528539.
1691
1692Pride, J. B., (1971): Formal and informal language. An inaugural
1693address.Wellington.
1694
1695Schecter, S. E. & Bayley, R. (1997). Language socialization practices and cultural identity: Case
1696Studies of Mexican-descent families in California and Texas.TESOL Quarterly, 31, 513-541.
1697
1698Schecter, S., & Bayley R. (1997). Language socialization practices and cultural identity: case study
1699of Mexican-Descent Families in California and Texas. TESOL Quarterly, 31(3), 513-541.
1700
1701Schieffelin, B. B. & Ochs, E., (Eds.) (1986).Language socialization across cultures.Cambridge:
1702Cambridge UP.
1703Scollon, R., & Scollon, S. (1981).Narrative, literacy and face in interethnic communication.
1704Norwood, NJ: Ablex.
1705Scollon, R. & Scollon S.W. (2001). Intercultural communication: A discourse approach.(2ndEd.)
1706Blackwell Publishers.
1707
1708Shi, X. (2006). Intercultural Transformation and Second Language Socialization. Journal of
1709Intercultural Communication, 11, 343-367.
1710
1711Silverstein, M. (1979). Language structure and linguistic ideology. In P. R. Clyne, W. F. Hanks, &
1712C. L. Hofbauer (eds.), The elements: A para-session on linguistic units and levels (pp.193-247).
1713Chicago: Chicago Linguistic Society.
1714
68
1715
1716Teddlie, C. & Tashakkori, (2009) A. Foundations of Mixed Methods Research: Integrating
1717Quantitative and Qualitative Approaches in the Social and Behaviour Sciences. London: Sage
1718Publications.
1719
1720Tonnenbaum, M. & Howie, P. (2002). The association between language maintenance and family
1721relations: Chinese immigrant children in Australia. Journal of Multilingual and Multicultural
1722development, 23(5), 408-424.
1723
1724Trompenaars, F. & Hampden-Turner, C. (2004) Riding the waves of culture: Understanding
1725cultural diversity in business (2nd edition). London: Nicholas Brealey Publishing.
1726
1727Valdez, G. (1996). Con respeto: Bridging the distances between culturally diverse families and
1728schools. New York: Teachers College Press
1729
1730Vertovec, S. (2007) Super-diversity and its implications. Ethnic and Racial Studies, 30:6, 102417311054.
1732
1733Williams, A. (2005). Fighting words and challenging expectations: Language alternation and social
1734roles in a family dispute. Journal of Pragmatics, 37, 317-328.
1735
1736Wong-Fillmore, L. (1991). When learning a second language means losing the first. Early
1737Childhood Research Quarterly, 6, 323-346.
1738
1739Zhu, H. (2008). Duelling Languages, duelling values: Codeswitching in bilingual intergenerational
1740conflict talk in diasporic families. Journal of Pragmatics, 40, 1799-1816.
1741
1742Zhu, H. (2010). Language Socialization and Interculturality: Address Terms in Intergenerational
1743Talk in Chinese Diasporic Families. Language and Intercultural Communication, 10(3), 189-205.
1744
1745Zimmerman, E. (2007). Constructing Korean and Japanese interculturality in talk: Ethnic
1746membership categorization among users of Japanese. Pragmatics, 17(1), 71-94.
1747
1748
1749
1750
1751
1752
1753
1754
1755
1756
1757
1758
1759
1760
1761
1762
69
1763
1764
1765
1766
1767
1768
1769
1770
1771
1772
1773
1774
1775
1776
1777
1778
1779
1780
1781
1782
1783
1784
1785
1786
1787
1788
Appendix A
1789Transcripts of Interviews
1790
1791ALEXANDRA
1792
1793I:Utd ha planado o a ido a alguno de los eventos latinoamericanos este verano?
1794I: Did you go to, or consider going to, any Latin American events this summer?
1795A: No, no he ido.
1796A: No, I didnt go.
1797I: Me puede decir por que no ha ido?
1798I: Can I ask you why not?
1799A: Porque ya no me llama mucho la atencion.
1800A: Because it doesnt interest me much.
1801I: Por que no le llama la atencion?
1802I: Why doesnt it interest you?
1803A: Porque yo veo todo lo mismo, no cambian....la misma rutina.... las comidas que sacan son muy
1804caras.... mucha gente.
1805A: Becuase its all the same, it doesnt changethe same routinethe foods expensivetheres a
1806lot of people.
1807I: Pudiera decir yo que hasta cierto punto los eventos son como muy...
1808I: Could you say that up to a point these events are very
1809A: Aburidores.
1810A: Boring.
70
1811I: A, OK.
1812I: Oh, right.
1813A: Claro que tiene sus diversiones. A algunos les gusta, otros no les gusta... eso depende, no?
1814A: Of course they can be fun. Some people like them and some dont, it depends doesnt it?
1815I:Si?
1816I: Does it?
1817A: A mi por ejemplo -primero me gustaba mucho... pero ahorita con el tiempo que ha pasado veo
1818siempre que es lo mismo - la misma rutina, lo mismo entonces no me apetece ir.
1819A: Take me for example at first I liked them a lotbut now, over time, Ive seen that theyre
1820always the same the same routine, so now I dont feel like going.
1821I: A utd le gusta estar en contacto y cerca a la comunidad latina si o no?
1822I: Do you like to be close to and in contact with the Latino community, yes or no?
1823A: Pues antediormente me gustaba mucho estar en contacto porque me sentia muy sola y...
1824necesitaba, pero al ver que uno no encuentra como mucha... ayuda, pues yo me fui alejando poco a
1825poco.
1826A: Before I very much liked staying in contact because I felt very lonely and I was in need but after
1827seeing that there was not much help offered, well little by little I started leaving.
1828I: Utd ve el teniendo un grupo de amigos y apoyo importante dentro de la comunidad latina?
1829I: Do you think that its important to have a group of friends and support within the Latino
1830community?
1831A: Claro, yo si lo veo muy importante... porque utd sabe que uno en los paises extanjeros...fuera del
1832pais de uno... uno necessita mucho apoyo, mucha comunicacion y mucha ayuda para muchas cosas
1833que se necesitan.
1834A: Of course, I think its very important but you know when youre in a foregin countyoutside of
1835your own countryyou need a lot of support, a lot of comunication and a lot of help for essential
1836things.
1837I: Como ve utd las oportunidades que tienen latinos que si son parte de la comunidad comparado a
1838los que no son?
1839I: How do you see the opportunities that are available for a Latino who is part of the community, in
1840comparison to one who isnt?
1841A: Pues, los que son parte del grupo? Pues hay gente que les ha ido muy bien con esas ayudas
1842porque entran un unas amistades mas fuertes y les colaboran mas y se dedican mas a esas personas
1843por la amistadad y le briegan de ayudar, pero otros no les ha ido muy bien porque no tiene como esa
1844amistad, no tienen suerte de que les colaboren.
1845A: Well, those who are part of the group? Well there are people who have had luck with this help,
1846because theyve lead to strong friendships and they work together more and they give more time to
1847these people because of the friendship and they try and help. But for others it hasnt worked out so
1848well becuase they dont have this friendship, theyre not lucky enough to have someone helping
1849them.
1850I: Utd que diria, a utd le ha ido bien con la comunidad latina?
1851I: Would you say that youve had good experiences with the Latino community?
1852A: Pues no mucho.
1853A: Well, not really.
1854I: No, porque no le ha ido bien?
1855I: No, why not?
1856A: Porque por una parte son egoistas y por otra le meten a uno que no lo pueden ayudar, que en esos
1857casos no me pueden servir.... y, y salen con otras ideas entonces no... me fui retirando poco a poco
1858entonces.
71
1859A: Because on the one hand theyre selfish and on the other they try to get involved when they cant
1860help and in those situations its not helpful and, and they come up with other ideas so no it
1861made me draw back bit by bit.
1862I:Puedo decir que utd es una colombiana que se ha aislado o se ha retirado de esa comunidad?
1863I: Could I say that you are a Colombian who has isolated herself or withdrawn from the
1864community?
1865A: Si.
1866A: Yes.
1867I: Utd que opinion tiene de personas colombianas o latinos que se hayan retirado de estas
1868comunidades?
1869I: What do you think of Colombian people or Latinos who have retired from these communities?
1870A: Que ya no quieren como estar... junto a la comunidad latina porque les ven que aveces son
1871problematicos, otros son egoistas, son muy envidiosos con la misma gente del pais y la gente
1872cambia mucho cuando sale de lo paises de origen, no? La gente se vuelven egoistas, metirosos y no
1873le colaboran a uno sino que tiene sus propios... amistades... utd necesita un trabajo o una ayuda
1874aveces le niegan, no le comunican y si hay alguien que esta brindando una ayuda en alguna parte
1875tampoco le dicen - eso la gente es muy...egoista - es dificil encontrar gente muy fiel a la ayuda, no?
1876A: That they dont want to bepart of the Latino community anymore, becuase theyve seen that it
1877can be problematic sometimes. Others are selfish, theyre jealous of the same people from the
1878country and people change a lot when they leave their countries of origin, right? People become
1879selfish, untruthful and they dont help someone else if theyve got their own.. friendships you need
1880a job or a hand, sometimes they refuse, they dont communicate or if theres someone thats giving
1881aid to someone else they wont say anything these people are very selfish its hard to find
1882people who are reliably helpful, isnt it?
1883I:Entonces como colombiana utd tiene como una vista de la comunidad es decir utd como ve los
1884colombianos que si son como muy ayegados a la comunidad?
1885I: So as a Colombian do you have like a view of the community, that is to say do you perceive
1886Colombians as being very welcome in the community?
1887A: Hay gente que es muy buena y que briegan a tener sus servicios y esas ayudas, pero no les dan
1888ese apoyo como para que ellos entren en esa comunidad, porque unos tiene los trabajos cogidos y
1889tienen mas estudio que esa persona, no? Pero hay colombianos y latinos que son muy buenos y
1890quieren ayudar y colaborar pero...pero no pueden hacer nada por que no estan perteneciendo a ese
1891grupo de trabajo.
1892A: There are people who are very good and they bring their services and help, but they dont give
1893this support for people to enter into the community, becuase people have got their chosen jobs and
1894theyve studied more than these people, right? But there are Colombians and Latinos who are very
1895good and who want to help and collaborate but.. but they cant do anything because they dont
1896belong to this working group.
1897I: Utd que diria es el impacto y el obstaculo que tienen los individuos y la familias de inmigrantes?
1898I: What would you say is the impact upon individuals and the families of immigrants and what
1899obstacles do they face?
1900A: Un obstaculo es el idioma, que vienen y no saben nada como defenderse y tienen que buscar a
1901toda hora ayuda, entonces pierden muchas oportunidades del idioma principalmente. Y tiene que
1902dejar los hijos los en la casa para poder ir a trabajar y entonces se va desintegrando la familia, se
1903van daando hasta la misma relacion, no. Se va acabando todo una familia.
1904A: Language is one obstacle, they come and they dont know how to defend themselves and they
1905have to look for help all the time, so they miss out on language opportunities principally. And they
1906have to leave their kids at home in order to go to work and so families disintegrate, it even hurts
72
1907your relationships. It finishes whole families.

1908I: Utd como describiria o expliqueria la situacion de empleo para los inmigrantes?
1909I: How would you describe or explain the employment situation for immigrants?
1910A: Pues antediormente era mas facil, ahora es muy duro, ya los inmigrantes.... por ejemplo hay
1911mucha gente sufriendo mucho porque no tienen y llevan muchos anos aqui y no han podido
1912conseguir nacionalidad o su estadia, entonces tiene que estar escondidos y estan sufriendo
1913demasiado por que les da miedo regresar al pais por que no tienen como....tienen problemas o no se
1914sienten seguros que van hacer algo o que van a empezar a sufrir necesidades en ese pais mientras
1915que aqui....aunque escondidos y.... y con problemas puede brindarle una persona amiga algun
1916trabajito o algunos trabajos que puedan hacer, entonces aqui se consiguen lo que no pueden
1917conseguir en colombia.
1918A: Well in the past it was easier, now its really tough, now immigrants for example theres lots of
1919people suffering loads because they dont have things and theyve been here for years and they have
1920been able to get citizenship or to study, so they have to stay hiden and theyre suffering too much
1921because theyre afraid to go back to their country because they dont have they have problems or
1922they dont feel comfortable with what theyre going to do, or theyre going to begin to suffer in their
1923countries while herealthough theyre hidden and and theyve got problems they can find work
1924for a friend, so here they can achieve what they cant in Colombia.
1925I: Alexandra, utd piensa que el idioma, el ingles, es importante para progresar y desarollar dentro el
1926trabajo?
1927I: Alexandra, do you think that language, English, is important in order to progress and develop at
1928work?
1929A: Importantissimo, mucho, el ingles es muy importante en este pais mientras estemos aqui. El
1930ingles es muy importante por que ya uno no tiene que buscar tanto esa ayuda latina, sino ya puede
1931buscar ayudas diferentes. De los mismos ingleses que hay gente muy amable y hay gente muy
1932diferente que no tiene como ese egoismo ni tienen esa competencia que tienen entre los mismos
1933colombianos y los mismos latinos, entonces ellos le van a brindar una ayuda, le van a brindar
1934mucha ayuda - porque yo he visto en la misma gente de aqui.... aqui le dan a uno mucha ayuda. yo
1935estoy muy agradecida por ejemplo con la gente de aqui... porque me han dado mucha ayuda. Por
1936ejemplo cuando yo me he enfermado en un hospital pues gracias a dios ellos me han atendido muy
1937bien, aunque, aunque defendiendome poco pero no he tenido esa necesidad de buscar latinos para
1938que me vayan a ayudar - entre ellos mismos me han ayudado. O si tengo un problema de council
1939tax o de pagar un bill me he comunicado con la misma gente inglesas, con las mismas ayudas que
1940tienen ellos y me han podido solucionar los problemas. Aunque en muchos casos los inglesas no me
1941han servido.
1942A: Extremely important, English is very important in this country while were here. English is very
1943important because then you wouldnt have to rely on this Latino help so much, because you could
1944look for different help. There are English people who are really fiendly and there are people who
1945arent as selfish or as competitive as Colombians and Latinos, so theyll help, theyll help a lot
1946beacuse Ive seen how people from here here they give you a lot of help. For example when I got
1947in ill, at the hosptial, thank God, I was looked after really well, although, although I couldnt say
1948much, but I didnt need to look for Latinos to help me between them they helped me. Or if Ive
1949had a problem with the council tax or paying a bill Ive spoken to English people, through the same
1950means that they use, and theyve helped me solve my problems. Although in many cases English
1951people havent helped me.
1952I: Y como ha hecho para comunicarse con ellos. Utd tiene un nivel de ingles alto o....?
1953I: And how have you communicated with them? Do you speak English well or?
1954A: No tengo un nivel como bajito, si ... pero por el momento estoy estudiando para poder
73
1955comunicarme. Pero he buscado ayuda en algun familiar y los hijos. Estoy muy agredecidad por esta
1956comunidad inglesa.
1957A: No, my English is basic, yes but at the moment Im studying to be able to communicate. But I
1958get help from friends or from my children. Im thankful to the English community.
1959I: Que obstaculos has tenido trabajando en londres, que situaciones malucas?
1960I: What problems have you faced working in London, what tough situations?
1961A: Los mismos latinos abusan de uno en los trabajos... que por ejemplo le dan un trabajo a uno y si
1962uno no tiene como por ejemplo declarar ese trabajo le pagan cualquier plata a uno y pues los
1963mismos managers o los mismos supervisors abusan de uno y le pagan lo que ellos quieren.
1964A: Latinos take advantage at work.. for example someone gets a job and if theyre unable to declare
1965that job they pay them whatever money and well, the managers and supervisors take advantage and
1966they pay them whatever they feel like.
1967I: Utd ha lllegado trabajar con jovenes colombianos o latinoamericanos que han venido de colombia
1968o hayan nacido en este pais?
1969I: Have you worked with young Colombians or Latin Americans who have come from Colombia or
1970been born in this country?
1971A: No, pero si he estudiando con algunos en el college.
1972A: No, but Ive studied with them at college.
1973I: Que es su opinion sobre estos jovenes?
1974I: What do yo think of these young people?
1975A: Pues, algunos quieren salir adelante, entrar en una universidad, hacer una carera y coseguirse un
1976trabajo muy bueno o regresar al pais que ya tengan un estudio que lo llevan de aqui bien para poder
1977ocupar un puesto bueno en el pais alli en colombia o en latinoamerica y pues, allgunos estan con
1978otras ideas de tambien hacer aqui su trabajo y invertir aya.
1979A: Well, some of them want to get ahead, go to univeristy, have a career and get a good job or go
1980back to their county now that theyve studied something to elevate them and well, some have other
1981ideas, work here and invest here.
1982I: Utd dira que como resultado de la educacion en este pais y la relacion que han llevado con
1983amigos o gente conocida en este pais ha hecho que desarollen nuevas identidades y valores, que
1984piensa?
1985I: Would you say that as a result of the education in this country and the relationships between
1986friends and associates in this country, that new identities and values has developed?
1987A: Claro si, porque no se relacionan con la comunidad latina, con los colombianos y los mismos
1988latinos y ya uno no sabe si son porque se han separado de estas comunidades y por anos estan
1989viviendo por aca y ya las generacion van siendo mejores de esa gente... por que? Porque ya los
1990papas, los abuelos llevan anos aqui y ya los hijos, los nietos ya van naciendo y viviendo como en un
1991pais que es como para ellos es normal y van saliendo adelante aqui mismo... hay muchos que han
1992salido adelante aqui y otros han salido adelante en el pais de uno, se van para alla y han salido bien.
1993A: Yes definitely, because its not related to the Latino commuity, to Colombians or Latinos and you
1994dont know if thats because theyve separated from these communities and theyve been living here
1995for years and now the first generation is older than them.. why? Because now the parents, the
1996grandparents have been here for years and the children, grandchildren are born adn raised in a
1997country which for them is normal and they go on from that here theres many who have go on to
1998other things here and others who have achieved things in their own countries. They go there and
1999they do well.
2000I: Utd cree que estos jovenes han conservado los valores y la cultura de sus papas?
2001I:Do you think that these young people have preserved the values and culture of their parents?
2002A: No, cambian mucho... y hay muchos jovenes que tambien se han destrosado aqui.
74
2003A: No, a lots changed and theres lots of kids who have become damaged here.
2004I: Entonces utd piensa que hay mucha tension, mucho conflicto entre los jovenes y los papas?
2005I: So do yo think that theres a lot of tension, lots of conflict between young people and their
2006parents?
2007A: Si, porque los papas quieren que los jovenes sean iguales como que ellos cuando estaban en
2008colombian, pero ya los jovenes que se crean aqui son diferentes a los jovenes de alla. Aqui los
2009muchachos no piensan las cosas como muy bien, mientras un muchacho en colombia es mas listo,
2010como mas rapido, aqui son gente como diferente si me entiende, son como muy solos, como muy
2011callados. Les gustan estan a toda hora enserados en juegos, en internet, mientras en colombia se
2012comunican mas, estan mas, comunicandosen entre ellos mismos. Hay mas cosas pa' hacer, mas
2013juegos, mas diversion, no que sea diversion de estar llendo a discoteca o nada por que aqui lo hacen.
2014Yo pienso que aqui hay como cosas mas...cosas malucas para los jovenes.
2015A: Yes, because los papas quieren que los jovenes sean iguales como que ellos cuando estaban en
2016Colombia pero ya los jovenes que se crean aqui son diferentes a los jovenes de alla. Aqui los
2017muchachos no piensan las cosas como muy bien, mientras un muchacho en colombia es mas listo,
2018como mas rapidohere theyre different, if you get me, theyre alone, quiet. They like to spend all
2019their time trapped in games, the internet, while in Colombia they talk more, theyre more, they talk
2020more to each other. Theres more to do, more games, more fun, no just going to clubs or whatever
2021they do here. I think that here theres more bad things for young people.
2022I: Entonces utd diria que existe cambios en los valores, el pensamiento y la practicas, la ideologia
2023lo que es ser colombiano, ser latinoamericano entre las diferentes generaciones?
2024I: So would you say that there have been changes to values, attitudes and habits, the ideology of
2025being Colombian, being Latin American, between the different generations?
2026A: Si ha cambiando mucho.
2027A: Yes, a lot has changed.
2028I: Utd cree que ellos han cambiado la forma en que ellos hablan o lo ven como diferente?
2029I: Do you think that they have changed they way in which they speak or have you noticed a
2030difference?
2031A: Lo ven como diferente... han cambiado tambien la forma... ellos no tiene como ese mismo
2032sentido que los papas tiene.
2033A: I see a difference theyve changed the form they dont have the same sense as their parents
2034have.
2035I: Y que es?
2036I: And what is that?
2037A: Por ejemplo, las culturas de nosotros nos encienan a ser gente como...... por ejemplo en los
2038colegios... en un colegio un nio en colombia les...les esigen, son mas estricto los profesores con los
2039nios en colombia, mientras que aqui no son tan estrictos, aqui son muy... no respetan los adultos
2040mucho los nios.
2041A: For example, our culture teaches us to be for example at school in a school in Colombia a
2042child is they ask more from them, the teachers are stricter with children in Colombia, whereas
2043here theyre not so strict, here theyre very the children dont have much respect for adults.
2044I : Y en terminos del idioma, del lenguaje utd cree que los jovenes tiene un diferente dialecto o se
2045comunican como los papas?
2046I: And in language terminology, do you think that in language young people use a different dialect
2047or do they speak like their parents?
2048A: Algunos se comunican como lo mismo - tratan de comunicasen lo mismo y imitar las mismas
2049cosas de los papas pero los otros no, es muy dificil, no entienden las mismas cosas que el papa o la
2050mama estan diciendo... pero es tambien culpa de los mismos padres, porque hay muchos padres
75
2051latinoamericanos o colombianos que no les ensenan a los hijos a...a las costumbres de ellos o a
2052expresasen o hablar como ellos, sino que les...aunque no sepan hablar buen ingles les...les hablan en
2053ingles.
2054A: Some speak the same, they try to communicate in the same way and mimic the same things as
2055their parents but others dont, itt hard, they dont understand the same things that their mum or dad
2056are saying but its also the parents fault, becuase their are many Colombian or Latin American
2057parents who dont teach their children their their customs or expressions or how to talk to them,
2058so they although they dont speak English well they they speak to them in English.
2059I: Utd cree que mucho de los latinos que se han retirado de la comunidad son esos mismos papas
2060que....
2061I: Do you think that the majority of Latinos who have retired from the community are those parents
2062that
2063A: ...esos mismos papas egoistas....que...que son como papas ignorantes.
2064A: those selfish parentswhowho are ignorant parents.
2065I:...mas tambien quieren retirar el conocimiento?
2066I:who also want to deprive knowledge?
2067A: Si, para que los hijos no se mesclen con los mismos latinos sino que le gusta que los mismos
2068hijos se mesclan con la misma gente de aqui.
2069A: Yes, so that their children dont mix with Latinos, instead they mix with people from here.
2070I: Ya.
2071I: Yeah.
2072A: Eso es lo que pasa aqui - esos son como papas ignorantes, porque ellos deben ensenar a sus hijos
2073tambien las costumbres y lo que son ellos porque nosotros como somos asi estemos aca y nuestros
2074hijos nazcan aqu. Nosotros somos latinoamericanos y somos colombianos, lo que sea y nuestros
2075hijos tambien son asi, asi nazcan...
2076A: Thats what goes on herethese parents are ignorant, because they should be teaching their
2077children the customs and who they are, because we are here and our children were born here. We
2078are Latin Americans and we are Colombians, and our children are too, they were were born that
2079way.
2080I: Crees que hay problemas... tension entre los colombianos inmigrantes y los jovenes colombianos,
2081es decir entre las diferentes generaciones en el trabajo?
2082I: Do you think that there are problems.. tension between Colombian immigrants and young
2083Colombians, thats to say between the different generations at work?
2084A: Si...
2085A: Yes
2086I: Digamos un joven esta trabajando con un latino inmigrante y ese joven conoce dos idiomas,
2087ingles y espanol y el inmigrante solamente sabe espanol... ustd creer que hay celos o egoismo por
2088eso, entre los latinos?
2089I: Lets say that a young person is working with a Latino immigrant and this young person speaks
2090two languages, English and Spanish and the immigrant only speaks Spanishdo you think that this
2091could lead to jealousy or egoisim, bewteen Latinos?
2092A: Pues algunos si sienten celos, y otros egoismo y a otros no les importan porque son jovenes y
2093ellos diran que quieren aprender y algun dia aprenden... a los que mas les importa es a los viejos 2094los viejos son los que mas se sienten como que los chinos no los respetan que porque.... ellos no
2095hablan en ingles.
2096A: Well, some people do feel jealous and others are egotistical and others dont care because
2097theyre young and they say that they want to learn and one day they will learnthe people who
2098mind the most are older theyre the ones who feel like theyre not respected because they dont
76
2099speak English.
2100I: Bueno, entonces utd creer que cuando hablan en ingles enfrente de alguien major... estos
2101jovenes.... hay como una falta de respeto?
2102: So, do you think that when these young people speak English in front of older people its out of a
2103lack of respect?
2104A: No porque depende...porque si ellos estan trabajando juntos y el viejo necesita que le hablen en
2105espanol y el joven se dirije en ingles pues si.... si es falta del respeto pero.... pero el joven esta
2106hablando porque necesita hablar, no creo que sea falta del respeto.... pero algunos si inrespetan a los
2107viejos porque se dirigan en ingles y los viejos no entienden... o insultandolo en ingles porque el
2108viejo no entiende.
2109A: No it depends becuase if theyre working together and the older person needs to speak in
2110Spanish but the young person speaks in English well yesyes thats a lack of respect butbut the
2111young person who is speaking because they need to speak, I dont think thats a lack of respect but
2112some people do disrespect their elders becuse they talk to them in English and their elders dont
2113understand.. or they insult them in English becuse the older person doesnt understand.
2114I: Como resultado de su emigracion a este pais utd diria que su identidad ha cambiado como
2115colombiana?
2116I: Would you say that your identity as a Colombian has changed due to moving to this country?
2117A: Pues yo no... pero muchos si cambian - muchos ya se sienten como ingleses y no se sienten
2118como colombianos. Muchos se sientan a rajar del pais y a criticarlo - el pais no tiene la culpa los
2119que tienen la culpa son la misma gente que lo forma.
2120A: No I wouldntbut many do change many people feel like English people now and dont feel
2121like Colombians. Many feel far away from the country and they criticise it the country isnt to
2122blame its those who form it who are to blame.
2123I: Utd como colombiana cree que sus creyencias, su cultura, su actitud hacia el idioma no ha
2124cambiado?
2125I: As a Colombian do you think that your beliefs, culture and attitude towards the language have
2126changed?
2127A: A si, todo es lo mismo.
2128A: Ita all the same.
2129I: Utd dira que manteniendo el idioma - espanol, colombiano es importante para su identidad?
2130I: Would you say that keeping up the language Spanish, Colombian is an important part of your
2131identity?
2132A: Importantisimo para mi y para cualquier latinoamericano.
2133A: Very important for me and any Latin American.
2134I:...y que lenguaje utilizas mas - el espanol o ingles?
2135I:and which language do you use the most Spanish or English?
2136A: Pues aqui mientras estoy viviendo me esigen mucho el ingles pero uso mucho el espanol.
2137A: Well, while Im living here I come across a lot of English, but I use a lot of Spanish.
2138I: En terminos de valores, cultura y actitud hacia el idioma...hay una diferencia entre los
2139colombianos que viven en este pais como inmigrante a los que viven en colombia?
2140I: As for values, culture and attitude towards the languageis there a difference between those
2141Colombians who leave in this country as immigrants and those who live in Colombia?
2142A: Si claro.
2143A: Yes of course.
2144I: Que diferencias hay?
2145I: What differences are there?
2146A: Pues utd sabe que la gente aqui - porque estan aqui algunos se crecen... ven a la gente de alla
77
2147como mas vaja que porque la gente de alla no ha salido para estos paises como inmigrantes.
2148Entonces hay algunos que van son muy ignorantes y ven la gente de alla como mas diferente y los
2149de alla cuando hay gente de aqui algunos ven que han cambiado mucho.... los ven con otras cosas...
2150Pero hay gente de alla con mucha capacidad y han salido adelante mas que esta gente de aca porque
2151ellos van y mienten que no estan haciendo limpiezas ni que estan trabajo, sino que se las hechan
2152halla que estan haciendo... desempeniando trabajos muy importantes en el extranjero y no es igual y
2153es mentiras... y va alla a mira a la gente por encima del hombro...
2154A: Well you know that the people herebecause there are some who grow up herethey view
2155people from over there as backwards becuase they havent come to these countries as immigrants.
2156So there are some people who are very ignorant and they see people from thr=ere as different when
2157they go back people see that theyve changed a lot they see them with other things But there are
2158very capable people and theyve achieved more than these people from here because they lie and
2159say that theres no cleaning or no jobs, even though those who are here are doing itputting down
2160important jobs abroad and its not the same, its lies and theyre looking over their shoulders at
2161everyone else.
2162I: Como inmigrante colombiana utd cree que tienes mas independencia en este pais o alla en
2163colombia?
2164I: Do you think that as a Colombian immigrant you have more independence in this country or in
2165Colombia?
2166A: Depende....
2167A: It depends
2168I: Y....
2169I: On
2170A: ...depende, pues, porque se vuelve uno mas independiente porque los padres estan trabajando....
2171los hijos se vuelven ya que van creciendo ya... ya ellos ven.... veo que aqui hay
2172mas independencia para los jovenes porque ya un muchacho de deisiseis anos ya lo quieren
2173independisar, mientras en colombiano no. En colombia la familia siempre ehh... lo que se trata en
2174colombia o lo que siempre se ha querido es que los hijos siempre y el hogar este siempre junto,
2175hasta que los muchachos ya se graduan o se casan o salen y dejan ...pero ellos no abandonan la casa
2176encambio aqui si! Aqui ya se vuelve tan comun que hasta los mismos latinos copian lo mismo que
2177hacen los ingleses... sacan a los hijos jovenes o ya les exigen que tienen que ir a trabajar si no
2178quieren estudiar, entonces ya los tratan...asimilan la misma cultura que hacen los ingleses.
2179A: It depends, well, becuase you can become more inependent because your parents are working
2180children are growing upthey see that..I see that here theres more independence for young people
2181becuase a young person of sixteen years old wants to be independent already, whether theyre in
2182Colombia or not. In Colombia a family always...umm in Colombia its all about, what they always
2183want is for the children and the home to always be together, until the kids graduate, or get married
2184or leave home but they dont treat the home like that here! Here its common that even Latinos
2185copy what the English people do they push their children out or they make them go to work if they
2186dont want to study, so they treat them they assimilate they same culture as English people.
2187I: Utd dira que muchos o la majoria?
2188A: La majoria.
2189A: Would you say that thats the majority?
2190I: Ahora utd cree que en el caso de sus hijos por ejemplo....utd cree que tienen una identidad
2191diferente a los papas?
2192I: Do you think that your children for example do you think that they have a different identity to
2193their parents?
2194A: Si... si pero es tambien culpa como le decia antediormente, por culpa de los mismos padres...
78
2195como el nino nacio aqui o que porque el nino ya es ingles - lo catalogan como un nino ingles 2196entonces lo dejan hacer los mismo ingleses, entonces alli es donde se pierde la identidad de los
2197padres o colombianos, latinoamericanos... ya esos ninos los tratan como si fueran igual como aca.
2198Que el nino no se puede castigar que el nino, no le puede decir nada, entonces asi va creciendo ese
2199nino... mientras nosotros colombianos desde chiquito nos esta levantado aunque sea con palmaras y
2200exigendonos que no hagamos esto o esto no se puede hacer. Mientras los ninos aqui hay que
2201hablarles pues sauvesito o les puede pegar o sino los ensierra y les paga el televisor para que los
2202ninos ovedescan. Entonces aqui hay muchos que copian esas leyes y cuando ya esta grande los hijos
2203ya los hijos no los respetan... no respetan a esos padres.... en cambio los hijos en colombia, los ninos
2204en colombia respetan mas.... y hasta los majores....mientras aqui no.
2205A: Yesyes but as I said before thats also becuase of the parents: the child whos born here or
2206whos already English they treat them like an English child so they let them do English things,
2207so thats how they lose their parents identity, or Colombian or Latin American these children act
2208like theyre the same as here. So you cant tell the child off, you cant say anything to them, and
2209thats how this kid grows upwhereas us Colombians, since we were little, they tell us that you
2210cant do this and that. Whereas you have to talk to children here nicely or they get annoyed or you
2211keep them in and put the television on so they forget everything. Here theres lots of people that
2212follow these rules and when the children are grown up they dont rescpect they dont respect their
2213parents whereas children in Colombia, children in Colombia have more respect and towards
2214their parents but not here.
2215I:Utd creer que eso es parte de la cultura inglesa or los valores..?
2216I: Do you think that thats becuase of English culture or values..?
2217A: Eso es culpa de los inmigrantes no de la cultura... porque ellos aqui tambien por ejemplo la
2218cultura inglesa no tiene como una forma de educar bien a esos muchachos y por es que los
2219muchachos hacen lo que se les da la gana entonces, no respetan ni a los majores en la calle... no hay
2220respeto entonces los chinos copian lo mismo, como que desde la escuela estan viendo todo y viendo
2221como es la familia - viendo como son las familias de ese nino ingles - haci que se empiezan a juntar
2222y se lo hacen de amigo entonces como el nino es ingles lo dejan ir al nino a la casa del ingles y asi
2223se van creado, esas culturas las van viendo porque como el nino esta solo o aveces hay ninos que
2224son solos entonces empiezan esa comunicacion, que el nino va donde la familia inglesa y el nino
2225ingles va donde la familia latina...entonces que hace la mama? Actua igual como atendiendo ese
2226nino ingles como lo atendia la mama inglesa...entonces copian para que el nino se sienta bien. No
2227son como directas, aunque unos colombianos son como mas directos y mas frescos, que les gusta
2228que los ninos sigan esas culturas latinas y colombianas y les exigen desde ninos y no les importa
2229pero algunos si se vuelven la majoria...la majoria....la majoria se orgullecen porque los hijos hablan
2230es ingles y no espanol, entonces empiezan a hablar enredado y eso para ellos es un orgullo que
2231llegen a colombia hablando por ejemplo asi... "maama, papaa" y no les ensenian a la pronunciacion
2232bien como debe ser
2233A: The immigrants are to blame, not the culturebecuase here, for example, English culture
2234doesnt have a good wa of educating these kids and thats why they do whatever they feel like, they
2235dont expect their elders in the street theres no respect so they copy each other, at school theyre
2236together at they see what families are like they see what these English kids families are like and
2237they become closer and become friends and becuase the childs English they let the child go to the
2238English childs house and they pick up this culture becuase if the childs alone or sometimes there
2239are only children so they start talking, about English families and Latino familiesand what can do
2240mum do? Act the same as as the English child and the English mumcopy them so that their child
2241feels better. Theyre not direct, although some Colombians are direct and to the point, they want
2242their children to follow Latino and Colombian culture and they teach them from childhood and it
79
2243doesnt matter to them but most..mostmost are proud because their children speak English and
2244not Spanish, so they start speaking like that and their parents are proud becuase when they go to
2245Colombia they speak like maama, papaa and not pronouce it properly.
2246I: Digame como creer que utd se relaciona con la comunidad latina/ colombiana?
2247I: Explain how you think that you interact with the Latino/Colombian community?
2248A: Yo me relaciono, por ejemplo, cuando estoy en una reunion o cuando me invitan a alguna fiesta
2249o cuando voy a un supermercado latino o cuando voy.... depronto si - mas que todo cuando
2250necesita...tengo que colocar alguna ayuda que necesito para mi familia - encuentro a genta hay y
2251empiezan a charlar y asi me voy relacionando pero no que me mantega en eso.
2252A: I interact, for example, when Im at a gathering or when I get invited to a party or when I go to
2253a Latino supermarket or when I when I need.. I have to get something for my familiy I find
2254someone and I get chatting and thatt how I fit in but I dont keep it up.
2255I: Utd cree que para ser parte de la comunidad es suficiente solamente ser colombiano o latino o utd
2256cree que uno tiene que contribuir o ...ser activo en la comunidad?
2257I: Do you think that being Colombian or Latino is enough to be part of the community or do you
2258think that you have to contribute or take part in the community?
2259A: Claro para ....para pertenecer a la comunidad necesita ser utd latinoamericano...necesita ser
2260latinoamericano de cualquier pais de habla latina y hay mucha gente que se integran aunque no sean
2261para ayudar a los mismos latinoamericanos que son de otros paises como por ejemplo los ingleses.
2262A: Of course to to belong to the community you have to be Latin American.. you have to be Latin
2263American from a Latino speaking country and theres lots of people who take part to help Latinos
2264becuase theyre foreign, like English people for example.
2265I: Entonces utd creer que con solo ser de un pais habla hispano uno es automaticamente parte de la
2266comunidad sin contribuir?
2267I: So do you think that simply by being from a Spanish speaking country you are a automatically
2268part of the community without contributing?
2269A: No, uno tiene que estar llendo haya para ser parte de la comunidad... yo por ejemplo no voy, que
2270parte de comunidad voy hacer yo? Tengo que estar inscrita, tengo que aportar, tengo que tener
2271opiniones, tengo que tener algo pues, tengo que estar mas cumplidad, no?
2272A: No, you dont have to go to be part of the community me for example I dont go, what part of
2273the community am I going to do? I have to sign up, I have to support it, I have to have opinions, I
2274have to have something, I have to comply, right?
2275I: Utd cree que existe un grupo o una comunidad latina o colombiana de trabajadores inmigrantes?
2276I:Do you think that theres a Latino or Colombian group or community of immigrant workers?
2277A: Yo si creo... si existe... hay sitios latinoamericanos que ayudan - lo colocan en un pediodico, en
2278la prensa uno ecuentra eso.
2279I: I think that.. yes they do there are Latin American places that help they put them in the
2280newspapers, you find it in the press.
2281I: ...y esta comunidad es una que ayuda a los hispano hablantes, latinoamericanos con oportunidades
2282de empleo?
2283I: and does this community help spanish speakers, Latin Americans with employment
2284opportunities?
2285A: Yo no creo mucho... es mas el tiempo que uno pierde que lo que ellos ayudan...yo por ejemplo,
2286estuve un tiempo - busque en pediodico pero yo no vi como mucha ayuda y estuve en un tiempo
2287buscando ayuda con la vivienda que vivia mal y yo no encontre ayuda... me toco buscar otros
2288recursos, por ejemplo fue a donde una politica inglesa que fue esa que me ayudo tener algun
2289cambio...pero que ellos mismos me den un cambio o que me hayan dado a mi ayuda fue mas el
2290tiempo que yo pierde....mas el tiempo llendo haya a exponer los casos y la demora que les da uno, y
80
2291despues resultan que no, no pueden ayudar o que hay algun problema, esto y esto. No se a los
2292demas latinoamericanos como les ha ido.
2293A: I dont think so really its more about the time you waste than the help you get me for
2294example, I looked in the newspaper but I didnt see much that was useful and I spent a while
2295looking for help with the problems to the house and I didnt find helpI had to look for other ways,
2296for example I went to an English politician who helped me get some changes madebut to get them
2297to help me or to pay attention to me took longer than I wastemost of the time trying to explain
2298things and its demoralising, and then it turns out that no, they cant help or that theres a problem,
2299this or that. I dont know how it happens for other Latin Americans.
2300I: Utd pues...
2301I: Well you
2302A: En algunas cosas si...si antediormente si encontramos ayuda la familia que nos ubicaron como
2303acerse legal en este pais, y estoy agradecida en eso, tambien nos ayudo una entidad
2304latinoamericana pero fue cambiando mucho y ya se desintegro mucho y fue entrando mucho
2305egoismo en muchas partes y no encuentra uno ayuda.
2306A: In some cases yesyes in the past we found help with a familiy who took us through the legal
2307practice here, and Im grateful for that, we also had help from a Latin American organisation but a
2308lot has changed and things are disintegrating a lot and a lot of selfishness emerged and theres no
2309help to be found.
2310I: Utd recognose que uno tiene que ser parte de la comunidad o de esas entidades para coger
2311trabajo... entonces utd que opina de colombianos que no son parte o no tiene esa facilidad...
2312I: You say that you have to be part of the community or one of these organisations in order to get
2313workso do you think that Colombians arent a part or theyre not able to
2314A: Pues que han tenido experencia...y se han retirado por x o y razon... no se porque... yo por
2315ejemplo me retire y no soy parte de esa comunidad por que tengo mis razones y no encontre mucho
2316apoyo en ellos.No me gusta la manera de ser ellos aveces.
2317A: Well theyve had experience, and theyve given up for x or y reason I dont know why me for
2318example I give up and Im not part of this community becuase I have my reasons and I dont get
2319much support from it. I dont like how they are sometimes.
2320I: Utd nunca ha encontrado trabajo a traves de la comunidad?
2321I: Have you never found work through the community?
2322A: Nunca, nunca.
2323A: Never, never.
2324I: Utd como decribe a los latinos que no son miembros de la comunidad - utd cree que ellos tienen
2325diferentes valores, diferentes creyencias?
2326I: How would you describe those Latinos who arent members of the community do you think that
2327they how different values, different beliefs?
2328A: Pues, yo no se como describirlo, pero la mayoria que yo se y que yo he oido, no les gusta
2329meszclase, algunos son muy orgullosos y no les gusta maszclase con los mismos latinoamericanos,
2330apenas llegan a este pais cambian, cambien la manera de ser, cambien la manera de pensar y ya no
2331quieren relaciona los mismos hijos con uno porque somos colombianos o somos latinoamericanos.
2332A: Well, I dont know how to describe it, but most of the ones that I know or have heard of, they
2333dont like to mix, some are very proud and they dont like to mix with Latin Americans, they change
2334almost as soon as they get to this country, they change their habits, they change their way of
2335thinking and they dont want their children to spend time with you because were Colombians or
2336were Latin Americans.
2337I: Utd creer que ellos deciden salirsen de la comunidad porque quieren buscar nuevas
2338opportuniadades o cambiar?
81
2339I: Do you think that they decide to take themselves away from the community becuase they want to
2340look for new opportunities or to change?
2341A: Depende, depende como quieran ellos - si han trabajado con latinoamericanos y no les han gusta
2342algo, pues algunos se retiran otros sigen.
2343A: It depends, it depends on what they want if theyve worked with Latin Americans and they
2344havent liked something, well someone stay away and others continue.
2345I: Utd cree que se beneficia mas uno estando con la comunidad o menos?
2346I: Do you think that a relationship with the community is more beneficial or less?
2347A: Pues creo que algunos si se benefician.
2348I: Well I think that some people do benefit.
2349I: Cree que existe como un temor que los hijos de estos latino sigan los mismos pasos y experencias
2350de los papas?
2351I: Do you think that people are worried that their children will follow the same steps and
2352experiences of their parents?
2353A: Si pues, algunos les dan como tristesa saber que llegan a estos paises y que los hijos no salgan
2354adelante... y terminen haya como gamines.
2355A: Yes well, some of them are sad tho think that they come to these countries and their children
2356wont advance and they wind up the same.
2357I: Utd, utd creer que esto es una de las razones por la cual se retiran de la comunidad?
2358I: Do you, do you think that thats one the reasons they retire from the community?
2359A: Si algunos se retiran de estas comunidades porque no quieren que los hijos tengan relacion con
2360esos mismos ninos - esos mismos muchachos latinoamericanos. Por ejemplo hay ninos que crean
2361aqui desde pequenos y los saben crear, hay familias latinoamericanas que los saben levantar con sus
2362costumbres y respeto y su estudio, los obligan estudiar o salir adelante - aqui hay mucho joven que
2363ha salido adelante - latinoamericano pero hay otros que se han danado - entonces por ejemplo los
2364muchachos que vienen por ejemplo de edades que oscillan entre deis, doce, trece anos, esos ninos
2365vienen con otras costumbres de colombia - y esos danan los que nacen aqui porque vienen con otras
2366ideas - porque son mas vivos, entiende - son mas listo que los ninos que se crean aqui - entonces
2367empiezan con esa amistad -empiezan a movesen en la discotecas, en ese roll y todo eso y se van
2368afectando.
2369A: Yes some people retire from these communities becuase they dont want their children to be
2370friends with these kids these Latin American kids. For example there are kids who grow up here
2371and they know how to bring them up, there are Latin American families who carry on their customs
2372and have respect and study, they make them study or leave home here theres lots of young people
2373who have left home Latin Americans but there are others who have done it too so for example
2374kidswho come here between the ages of ten, twelve, thirteen years old, these children come with
2375other customs from Colombia and that hurts those who are born here becuase they have other
2376ideas because theyre more aware, understand - theyre smarter than the children that grow up
2377here so they start with friendship they start to go to clubs and going out and everything and they
2378change.
2379I: Cree que sus creyencias, actitud hacia el idioma ha cambiado desde que veniste a este pais?
2380I: Do you think that your beliefs, attitude towards your language have changed since you came to
2381this country.
2382A: Sobre mi idioma no.
2383A: Not my language.
2384I: Has visto cambios en el comportamiento cuando utilizas el espanol?
2385I: Have you seen changes in your manner when you speak Spanish?
2386A: Como aveces se le olvida palabra y pierde la forma de hablar como...mas decente.
82
2387A: Like sometimes they forget words and how to speakproperly.

2388I: Cree que con solo saber el idioma, eso la hace parte de la comunidad automaticamente?
2389I: Do you think that just by speaking the language, that automatically makes them part of the
2390community?
2391A: No necesariamente, porque si yo se espanol y no los busco, no me va a dar no me da el derecho
2392de ser miembro, tengo que buscar esas comunidades
2393A: Not necessarily, becuase if I speak Spanish and I dont seek them , theyre not going to give me
2394the right to be a member, I have to look for it.
2395I: Uno que tiene que hacer?
2396I: What do you have to do?
2397A: ....uno tiene que ir a buscar y tiene que contactar mas a esa gente... en realidad tiene que hacer
2398como un estudio en todo esos sitios latinoamericanos para ver si si serve o no, porque ya uno con la
2399experiencia que tuve yo hace mucho tiempo no busca ya. No se como estara funcionando, si estaran
2400mejor o si ya han avanzado o si estan haciendo las cosas bien o estaran tabajando con mas voluntad.
2401A: you have to look for and contact these peopleyou have to sort of study these Latin American
2402places to see if their worth it or not, becuase if youve had the experience that I had a long time ago
2403you wouldnt look anymore. I dont how theyre doing, if theyre better or if theyve advanced or if
2404theyre doing things well or working more happily.
2405I: Utd con solo escuchar a alguien se puede dar cuenta si si o no es parte de la comunidad
2406colombiana por las palabras, phrases y saludos que utilizan?
2407I: Can you tell whether or not someone is part of the Colombian community just by listening to
2408them, to the words, phrases and greetings that they use?
2409A: Umm, no.
2410A: Umm, no.
2411I: Que terminos, frases, y palabras utiliza para saludar a alguen en la comunidad, por ejemplo si utd
2412esta en un restuarante o un cafe y es parte the la comunidad?
2413A: What terms, phrases and words do you use to greet someone in the community, for example if
2414youre in a restaurant or a caf which is part of the community?
2415A: Como esta, que hacen por aca - con formalidad. Y otras palabras, ya uno se meszclan con ellos y
2416si es bien y le ha ido bien con la comunidad pues...
2417A: Round here its done formally. And other words, now they mix them and its ok and its gone
2418down alright with the community so
2419I: Por ejemplo si soy una amigo como se dirige a esa persona?
2420I: For example if Im friends with someone?
2421A: Le digiria utd con mucho carino y con tu hay utd como esta utd que esa por aca, ah? Y lo
2422abrasaria y empiezo a charlar con utd y hacerle preguntas chistosas y haci.... quemas - queubo!
2423A: I would call them usted with lots of affection and with - tu is like you that they use here? And
2424Id hug them and start chatting and asking funny questions.what else!
2425I: Como se expresaria utd a alguen que no conoces?
2426I: How would you address someone you didnt know?
2427A: Si es de dia le diria buenos dias.... y si llega un dialogo hablaria con ella
2428A: If its daytime Ill say Good day and if we get talking Ill chat with them.
2429I: Utd creer que el dialecto espanol que utilizan los colombianos es diferente a el dialecto de otros
2430paises de latinoamerica?
2431I: Do you think that the dialect of Spanish used by Colombians is different to the dialect used by
2432other Lasin American countries?
2433A: Si. Los colombianos son como mas alegres y extrovertidos.
2434A: Yes. Colombians are warmer and more extrovert people.
83
2435I: Y que palabras o phrases utilizan los colombianos que son muy particular a Colombia?
2436I: And what words or phrases do Colombians use that are particulat to Colombia?
2437A: Qu'bo, qu'bo hermano, como esta - queubo parse - nosotros colombianos utilizamos palabras
2438muy diferentes a otros - somos como mas abiertos.
2439A: Qubo, qubo hermano how are you whats up Colombians use very different words to
2440others were more open.
2441I: Utd cree que eso pueda tambien afectar las relaciones - por decir si hay un colombiano y
2442ecuatoriano y el colombiano esta buscando trabajo y se sabe desempenar con el amigo colombiano
2443mejor - el tiene mas chance de coger un trabajo?
2444I: Do you think that this can affect relations to lets say if theres a Colombian and an Ecuadorian
2445and a Colombian is looking for work and knows how to get along with Colombian more is he
2446more likely to find work?
2447A: Claro.
2448A: Of course.
2449I: Cree que hay discriminacion en el trabajo y problemas entre los jovenes colombianos y los
2450inmigrantes?
2451I: Do you think that there is discrimination at work and problems between young Colombians and
2452immigrants?
2453A: Claro.
2454A: Of course.
2455I: Y existe el conflicto por los idiomas que manejan los jovenes?
2456I: And is there a conflict of languages among young people?
2457A: Si hay conflicto, claro.
2458A: Yes theres conflict, of course.
2459I: Utd cree que hay una barrera entre lo que los jovenes cree y los inmigrantes?
2460I: Do you think that theres a barrier between what young people think and immigrants?
2461A: A pesar que hay muchos jovenes que respetan los viejos pero si hay conflicto.
2462I: Si utd tuviera una oportunidad de estudiar mas y desarollado su idioma?
2463I: If you had the opportunity would you study more and improve your language?
2464A: Yo por ejemplo le dara un consejo a todo los latinoamericanos que uno aveces se olvida y
2465entrega la vida a trabajar y que uno necesita estudiar, dedicarle tiempo a los hijos y ya cuando llega
2466unos anos ya tiene utd deis, viente anos y utd se pregunta, que hice? No se ni hablar ingles, mis
2467hijos ya no existe - uno por un camino y el otro por otro camino .... entonces el consejo les digo es
2468que si trabaje, porque todos necesitan trabajar para pagar su duedas y para mantenersen y todo pero
2469tambien darle espacio al estudio, a la educacion, porque la educacion es muy importante y muy
2470importante el ingles - porque si uno viene a emigrar a un pais extranjero que no es el idioma de uno
2471se supone que uno tiene que estudiar, y tiene que aprendar para poderse defender y no estar a toda
2472hora detras de una persona gagiando para que lo entiendan o detras de una persona para que lo
2473ayudan.
2474A: Me for example Id say to any Latin Americans who sometimes forget and go to work, that you
2475have to study, dedicate time to your children, and in a few years theyll be ten, twenty years old and
2476theyll ask you, what did you do? I dont even speak English, my children arent here anymore
2477theyve gone one way or another so Id advise them to work yes, because everyone has to work to
2478pay debts and to live and everything but also make space to study, for education, becuase education
2479is very important and English is very important becuase if you emigrate to a foreign country that
2480doesnt speak the language that youve learnt, youll have to learn how to look after yourself so
2481youre not always tagging along to someone asking them to translate or asking for help.
2482--------------------------------------------------------------------------------84
2483
2484EDDY
2485
2486I: Has ido a algun evento latino?
2487I: Have you been to any Latino events?
2488E: A muchos eventos...
2489E: To many events
2490I: Si.
2491I: Yes.
2492E:...a donde hay asuntos de caridad vamos muchas veces, a donde dan ayudas para el latino, como
2493orientacion en los centros latinos tambien vamos, a los sitios de los viejos y los jovenes tambien
2494vamos y ehhh, en los centros de caridad tambien.
2495E:we go to friendly places quite often, where they give help to Latinos, like helping them find
2496Latin centres, we go to places for old people and young people and umm, charity centres too.
2497I: A utd le gusta esta en contacto con la comunidad?
2498I: Do you like to stay in touch with the community?
2499E: Claro.
2500E: Of course.
2501I: Entonces para utd es importante tener ese apoyo, amigos..?
2502I: So for you is it important to have this support, friends..?
2503E: Claro.
2504E: Of course.
2505I: Como ve la situacion de empleo?
2506I: Hows the work situation?
2507E: Bueno, la situacion de empleo, lo que pasa es que nosotros somos muy rarosos porque quieremos
2508trabajar dia y noche... y descuidamos aveces la casa, los hijos y el hogar.
2509E: Well, the work situation, what happens is that were a bit unusual because we want to work day
2510and nightand sometimes we dont take care of the house, the children, the home.
2511I: Utd que opina the los latinos que se aislan de la comunidad?
2512I: What do you think of Latinos who isolate themselves from the community?
2513E: Bueno no es que se aislen... algunos cogen uno vecios, o costumbres, como por ejemplo, licor o
2514los vecios de las injecciones o droga - entonces no es que ellos se aislen... uno tiene que aislarse de
2515ellos, porque el que no quiere seguir el tal camino se aparta, pero si uno quiere irse con ellos, yo no
2516me voy a enterar con ellos.
2517E: Well its not that were isolatedsome people pick up vices or bad habits like for example,
2518alcohol or injecting or drugs so its not that theyre isloated you have to isolated yourself from
2519them, becuase if you dont want to go down the same road, but if someone wants to be like them, I
2520wont have anything to do with them.
2521I: Utd dice que la inmigracion afecta a las familias?
2522I: Would you say that immigration affects families?
2523E: Bueno, la gente tiene necesidades alla y escapan tal vez como escapamos algunos buscando el
2524por venir a algun pais - a unos les va bien o otros les va regular y a otros les va mal porque la
2525suerte muchas veces no es para todos. O depende un las capacidades de cada uno y como no quieren
2526trabajar en lo que les presenta entonces sufren, porque este es un medico supongamos y es orgulloso
2527y no quiere trabajar limpiando o tal vez en un restaurante o tal vez haciendo cosas que no son con
2528listurin, va a sufrir.
2529E: Well, people have needs and sometimes they set out looking for a way to go to another country
2530for some it works out and its normal and for others its worse becuase not everyones as lucky. Or
85
2531it depends on the individuals capacity and if they dont want to work in what theyre offered they
2532suffer, becuase lets say this is a doctor and hes proud and he doesnt want to work as a cleaner or
2533in a restaurant maybe, or maybe doing things he doesnt like, theyre not what hes used to, hes
2534going to suffer.
2535I: Que es su opinion de la situacion de empleo para los inmigrantes in Londres?
2536I: Whats your opinion of employment for immigrants in London?
2537E: Bueno, la situacion de empleo ahora se ha puesto un poco dura porque, pues, para ir a buscar un
2538empleo ahora lo tienen que buscar por computadoras y si encaresemos de eso ya estamos fuera del
2539sistema porque nosotros tenemos que presentarnos algun dia a un, citizen adivice bureau para poder
2540buscar un empleo que no lo van a dar gratis. Pero si quieremos tambien tenemos amistades o
2541contactamos gentes o pagamos a una oficina y ellos nos van a ubicar un empleo tambien bueno pero
2542... entonces alli se nos va a salir algunos recursos porque ellos quedan pagados....el..el dueno del
2543trabajo queda pagandole a la compania y uno tambien tiene que pagar un porcentaje entonces los
2544que ganan son todos... por que uno no tiene nada que hacer y les conseguen un trabajo, van a perder
2545un poquito...
2546E: Well, the employment situation has become a bit tough now becuase, well, in order to look for
2547work now you need to search by computer and if we ignore this were out of the system becuase we
2548have to one day well have to go to Citizens Advice Bureau to be able to look for work that you
2549cant get freely. But if we also want we also use friendships or contacts or we pay an office and
2550theyll find us a job too butso out of that we get some resources becuase they pay for itthe..the
2551boss at work pays the company and you have to pay a percentage too so everyone gets something
2552because you dont have anything to so and they get you work, youre going to lose a little
2553I: Utd cree que el idioma ingles - es importante, algo que ayudaria mucho?
2554I: Do you think that language English is important, something that helps a lot?
2555E: Para mi es muy importante y es algo de primera necesidad, porque sin el ingles en este pais no
2556somos nadie... unicamente nos comunicariamos como estamos aqu, en esta banca nosotros y los
2557demas quedan igual y ellos no quieren aislar a nosotros porque nos pagan estudio gratis en muchas
2558esculas... lo que pasa es que nosotros no frecuentamos las escuelas porque nos da miedo ir alla y
2559decir, mire no se, ensenme!, porque alguno de nosotros somos un poco ariscos, un poco reases,
2560que no quieren que se den cuenta que... que no sabemos o sufrimos.
2561E: For me its very important and its essential, because without English were nobody in this
2562countrywe just communicate like we are now, between ourselves and everyone else stays the same
2563and they dont want to isolate us because they pay for us to study for free in lots of schools what
2564happens is we dont go to the schools because were afraid to go and to say, look I cant speak,
2565teach me!, because some of us are a bit stubborn, a bit proud, we dont want them to realise that
2566wethat we cant or we suffure.
2567I: A utd le ha tocado trabajar con colombianos o latinoamericanos de diferentes generaciones, osea
2568los hijos de los inmigrantes?
2569I: Have you worked with Colombians or Latin Americans from different generations, or children of
2570immigrants?
2571E: Si, muchas veces, porque digamos en un restaurante, trabajan de todas las nacionalidades aunque
2572el restuarante sea ingles, o sea italiano, o sea americano o sea lo que sea, hay de muchas
2573nacionalidades alli trabajando
2574E: Yes, lots of times, because in a restaurnt lets say, all nationalities work be they English or Italian
2575or American or whatever, theres lots of different nationalities working there.
2576I: Y que opina?
2577I: And what do you think?
2578E: Pues opino que una persona para poder forma debe comenzar a trabajar en todo lo que le salga
86
2579siempre cuando sea bueno y de alli va haciendo su universidad, porque - porque si utd no trabaja en
2580lo que le presenten o lo que le gusta como va hacer utd despues que sea un professional, para
2581ordenarle a otro, haga tal cosa, si utd no la sabe hacer?
2582E: Well I think that everyone who can should start working in a job that will always be decent and
2583from there they can go to university, because because if you dont work with what youre given or
2584in what you want to do what are you going to do in the future when youre a professional, how can
2585you tell someone else what to do, do that job, if you dont know how to do it?
2586I: Utd cree que la generacion nueva de colombianos inmigrantes viviendo en este pais han
2587cambiando en su forma de ser - osea han cabiado los valore, la identidad, son diferentes?
2588I: Do you think that the new generation of Colombian immigrants living in this country
2589havechanged their way of being thats to say have they changed their values, identity, are they
2590different?
2591E: Pues la vida cambia y la costumbres son modernas y por ese motivo los jovenes tambien
2592cambian porque ellos estan donde esta la moda, donde esta lo moderno - haci como uno tiene que
2593aprender computadora, en otra epoca no habia, ahora hay... ahora hay telefonos modernos, tampoco
2594lo sabian usar, le toca a uno por obligacion que aprender a manejar esas bases.
2595E: Well life changes and habits are modern and becuase of that young people also change because
2596they are with fashion, and where everything is modern, they are surrounded by trends, everything is
2597modern just like how you have to learn how to use a computer, in the past that didnt exist and
2598now you have tonow there are modern telephones, they didnt know how to use those either, its up
2599to everyone to learn these things.
2600I: Utd cree que los jovenes... todavia llevan la cultura colombiana, los valores de sus papas?
2601I: Do you think that young peoplestill follow the Colombian culture, the values of their parents?
2602E: No, algunos lo han perdido y si depronto ha nacido en este pais ya ni siquiera respetan a los
2603padres, "vaya acuestese, no voy a hablar mas con ustedes", les dicen a los papas.
2604E: No, some of them have lost it and if they were born in this country now they dont even respect
2605their parents, go lie down, Im not going to talk to you anymore, they say to their parents.
2606I: Entonces hay mucha tension, mucho conflicto entre los papas y los jovenes?
2607I: Does that mean that there is a lot of tension, a lot of conflict between parents and young people?
2608E: No es que haya conflicto entre los papas y los jovenes... los jovenes quieren dominar a los viejos.
2609E: Its not that theres conflict between parents and young people young people want to dominate
2610old people.
2611I: Utd cuando se comunica con un joven que es su opinion del espanol que utilizan, es diferente o
2612similar al que utd utilizaria?
2613I: When you speak to a young person what do you think of the Spanish that they use, is it different
2614or similar to what you use?
2615E: El idioma es casi similar o igual puede ser, lo que pasa es que segun donde venga... donde se
2616haya creado la persona de joven o la senorita ya trae sus modismos y trae sus modales y exprecion
2617de vicio o sanidad... porque hay unos que dicen, asi como utd sabe, como se presentan un vecioso
2618que habla diferente como es utd.
2619E: The language is almost the same or equivalent, waht happens is that where I come from where
2620the young man or girl has grown up and has the habits and expression of bad habits or hygiene
2621because they are some people who say, as you know, how a person who talks differently presents
2622themself, like you do.
2623I: Utd que opina de su situacion cuando emigro a londres, a este pais - utd cree que sus identidad ha
2624cambiando un poco, o eres el mismo de siempre?
2625I: What did you think of the situation whem you came to London, to this country do you think that
2626your identity has changed at all or are you the same as ever?
87
2627E: Yo si digo que he cambiando, no un poco, mucho por no decir que un 100% por que si alla era un
2628poco revelde, aca aprendi...aprendi a manejarme mejor...hacer mas responsable....hacer mas honesto
2629y tambien aprendi que uno debe obedeser a todas la personas jovenes y viejos siempre cuando sea
2630buenos.
2631E: I would say that yes I have changed, not a little, a lot if not 100% because over there I was a bit
2632of a rebel, here I learnt I learnt to control myself better to be more responsibleto be more
2633honest and I also learnt that you should agree with young people and old people as long as theyre
2634good people.
2635I: Y que cosas no han cambiado - diria que su cultura es el mismo, los valores, su identidad - que no
2636ha cambiado?
2637I: And what things havent changed would you say that your culture is the same, your values, your
2638identity that they havent changed?
2639E: Lo que no ha cambiando es.....el respeto a la ley, porque la ley hay que respetarla y tambien se
2640hace respetar y su uno trata de iquebrantar ese respeto uno esta por fuera de todo.
2641E: What hasnt changed is my respect for the law, becuase you have to respect the law and they
2642make you respect it too and if you dont know how to put up with that respect youre outside of
2643everything.
2644I: Estando aqui su espanol ha cambiando?
2645I: Has your Spanish changed from being here?
2646E: No, mi espanol no ha cambiado, antes ha mejorado porque aqui le da a uno training y si uno
2647quiere lo mandan a una escuela para que aprenda espanol, ingles, aleman - cualquier idioma que una
2648quiera - incluso el ingles
2649E: No my Spanish hasnt changed, it had got better before becuse here they give you training and if
2650you want theyll send you to school to learn Spanish, English, German whatever language you
2651want even English.
2652I: El idioma - el espanol - es importante para su identidad como colombiano?
2653I: Is language Spanish important for your identity as a Colombian?
2654E: Es muy importante.
2655E: Its very important.
2656I: Que diria que utilizas mas el espanol o el ingles?
2657I: Would you say that you use Spanish more or English?
2658E: En diferentes partes hay que utilizar el ingles, depende en la situacion en que uno se encuentre o
2659con el que uno se encuentre, como en este momento estamos hablando en espanol.
2660E: In different places you have to use English, it depends on the situation youre in or who youre
2661with, like at the moment were speaking in Spanish.
2662I: Que opinina de los colombianos que viven en este pais a lo que viven en colombia, utd los ven
2663diferentes o los mismo?
2664I: What do you think of Colombians who live in this country compared to those that live in
2665Colombia, do you seem them as different or the same?
2666E: Bueno no son diferentes.
2667E: Well theyre not different.
2668I: En terminos de valores, actitud?
2669I: In terms of values, attitude?
2670E: No son diferentes, pero si, los de alla piensan que aqui esta la gente cogiendo dinero de los
2671arbolles y cuando una viaja por alla tal vez para visitarlos o cuando piden alguna plata entonces
2672ellos cree que hay que mandarle bastante para que....fortifiquen sus vicios.
2673E: Theyre not different, but yes, those from over there think that here people are picking money out
2674of trees and when you travel there to visit them maybe or when they ask for some money they think
88
2675that they have to push it a lot to to get what they want.

2676I: Utd diria que utd es mas independiente en este pais o mas en colombia en cuanto desempenadose
2677en el idioma?
2678I: Would you say that youre more independent on this country or more in Colombian with regards
2679to language use?
2680E: Es igual porque si tu vaz alla a una emisorra y pide permiso para hablar ellos te dejan hablar y te
2681pueden descargar lo que tu tienes que decir... lo mismo es aqui - si utd tienes donde hablar y
2682destacar lo que tu quieres decir ellos te van a escuchar... y si te vaz a una emisora donde se puede
2683publicar ellos publican....porque hay cosas que no se pueden publicar.
2684E: Its the same because if over there you go to a network and ask to speak theyll let you speak and
2685you can say what you want to sayits the same here if youve got a place where you can talk and
2686say what you want to theyre going to listen and if you go to a network where they can publish
2687they publish becuase there are things that they shouldnt publish.
2688I: En que terminos diria utd que se relacion con la comunidad colombiana, latinoamericana, por ser
2689colombiano?
2690I: In what ways would you say that you relate to the Colombian community, Latin American,
2691becuase of being Colombian?
2692E: Mira no, hay muchos ingleses y de otros paises que se relacionan con la comunidad latina porque
2693les gusta vivir entre ellos, y a nosotros los gusta vivir entre los ingleses o con ellos porque si tu los
2694tratas bien y los respetas ellos no son malos.
2695E: No you see, there a lots of English people and from other countries who relate to the Latino
2696community becuase they like to live among them and we like to live among the English or with them
2697becuase if you treat them well and respect them theyre not bad.
2698I: Utd diria que con el solo hecho de ser colombiano hace que utd sea miembro de la comunidad
2699automaticamente o piensas que uno tiene que colaborar o tener una presencia activa en la
2700comunidad?
2701I: Would you say that just being Colombian automatically makes you a member of the community or
2702do you think that you have to collaborate or have an active presence within the community?
2703E: No, simplemente para ser de la comunidad colombiana necesita solamente que te conoscan y que
2704tu te hagas entender que con tu idioma y que con tus buenas acciones eres de alla y ellos de
2705reconocen facilmente... no te despresian o lo sacan tampoco.
2706E: No, to just be part of the Colombian community all you need is for them to know you and for you
2707to make them understand youre language and from your good actions they recognise you easily
2708they dont ignore you or kick you out either.
2709I: Utd cree que hay una comunidad de trabajadores, donde uno puede aceder amigos o genete
2710conocida de la comuniadad que lo puede apoyar y darle la mano cuando necesita trabajo. Esto
2711existe?
2712I: Do you think that there is a community of workers, where one can make friends or know people
2713in the community who can support them and help them out when they need work. Does this exist?
2714E: Hay muchas comunidades de ese tamano, lo que pasa es que algunos no la visitan porque hay
2715algunos que cobran, otros no los visitan por que no le convienen y no lo necesitan porque un amigo
2716ya le conseguo un trabajo.
2717E: There are lots of communities like that, what happens is that you dont see some of them becuase
2718there are some who charge, some who you dont see becuase it doesnt suit them and they dont need
2719it because a friend already got them work.
2720I: A utd le ha resultado trabajo atraves de amigos, conocidos?
2721I: Have you found work through friends, acquaintainces?
2722E: He encontrado trabjos con amigos, con conocidos... preguntando en las partes que tal vez se que
89
2723necesitan he ido y me dan los trabajos... como tambien he hido al job centre y me han dado
2724trabajo... he hido a los sindicatos y tambien me han dado trabajo.
2725E: Ive found work with friends, with acquaintainces asking around if maybe somewhere needs
2726help and can give me a jobIve been to the unions and theyve given me work too.
2727I: Utd que opina de los latinos que no son parte de estas comunidades?
2728I: What do you think of Latinos who arent part of these communities?
2729E: Hay muchos que tiene la reserva porque han visto que unos traen una historia por detras entonces
2730ehh... les roban la plata, o los enganan, o les meten alguna metira y depronto se desaparese esa
2731entidad con el dinero que han pagado o tal vez ehhh se esconden para no defenderlos.
2732E: There are many who are reserved becuase they have seen that others carry have bad stories
2733umm they steal money, or they cheat you or they tell lies and then quickly disappear with the
2734money that theyve been paid or sometimes..umm.. they hide to get away.
2735I: Utd diria que su actitud al lenguaje ha cambiado?
2736I: Would you say that youre attitude towards language has changed?
2737E: Si, ha cambiado mucho en progreso en ambos idiomas y en otros idiomas tal vez uno en el
2738camino va aprendiendo.
2739E: Yes, its changed a lot towards both languages and maybe towards other languages that you
2740learn along the way.
2741I: Utd ha visto cambios en la forma en que tu utilizas los idiomas?
2742I: Have you seen changes in the way in which you use languages?
2743E: Si, han habido cambios.
2744E: Yes, theyve changed.
2745I: Utd cree que teniendo la facilidad de espanol ayuda entrar en la comunidad colombiana?
2746I: Do you think that being able to speak Spanish helps with entry into the Colombian community?
2747E: Ayuda mucho, ayuda mucho porque hay mucha gente de habla inglesa como de otras lenguas,
2748que quieren tener amistad o intercambiar su lengua por la espanola.
2749E: It helps a lot, it helps a lot because there a lot of people who speak English as a second language
2750like other languages, who want to build friendships or language swap for Spanish.
2751I: Entonces utd dice que hasta hay ingleses quisa dentro de esas comunidades, que saben hablar en
2752ingles y se desempenan dentro de ellas?
2753I: So would you even say that there are English people within these communities, who know how to
2754speak English and assimilate into them?
2755E: Si, quieren aprender mas, quieren saber mas de la cultura.
2756E: Yes, they want to learn more, they want to know more about the culture.
2757I: Cree que uno tiene que forma una relacion para ser parte de la comunidad?
2758I: Do you think that you have to form a relationship to be part of the community?
2759E: En parte es muy necesario uno identificarse, por que si yo llego a tu casa y digo Yo soy Edgar,
2760dejeme entrar, utd pone su barera - utd tiene que presentarse para que lo respeten, entonces todo
2761mundo tiene que tener su norma.
2762E: In part it is very important that you identify yourself, because if I come to your home and say
2763Im Edgar, let me in, youll put up a barrier - you have to present yourself so that they respect
2764you, so everyone has to have their habit.
2765I: Entonces uno tiene que tener su forma de entrar en la comunidad, hacerse conocer, poco a poco?
2766I: So do you think that you have to enter into the community, become known, little by little?
2767E: Aunque sea rapido pero por algun medio ya tiene que tener una entrada porque si es una persona
2768mala o danina o de esos que buscan para hacer alguna maldad, entonces hay que apartatos.
2769E: Although it may be brief you have to enter because if youre a bad or harmful person or one of
2770those who sets out to do harm, then you have to pull them away.
90
2771I: Utd puede reconocer a alguien que sea parte de la comunidad con la forma en que ellos se
2772desempenan y utilizan el lenguaje?
2773I: Are you able to recognise someone who is part of the community by the way in which they act or
2774use language?
2775E: Si, porque muchas veces hay palabras que no las pronuncian muy buen y se destigen de que pais
2776es esa persona o se destinge que no es inglesa.
2777E: Yes, becuase a lot of the time there are words that they dont pronounce very well and you can
2778guess which country theyre from or guess that theyre not English.
2779I: Hay diferentes formas en que utd se comunica hacia un amigo y alguen que no conoces utilizando
2780algunas palabra, phrases y expresiones particulares?
2781I: Does the way you communicate with a friend differ from the way you communicate with someone
2782you dont know, using any words, phrases or expressions in particular?
2783E: Hola, buenos dias, como estas?.
2784E: Hello, good day, how are you?.
2785I: Y a alguen que no conosca muy bien?
2786I: And with someone that you dont know very well?
2787E: Pues a alguen que no conosca muy bien hay que hablarle con respeto y honestidad y saberle
2788entrar, porque hay gente que ni siquiera quieren darle el saludo, ya ni te miran.
2789E: Well with someone that you dont know very well you have to talk to them with respect and
2790honesty and acknowledge them, because there are some people who dont even greet you, dont even
2791look at you.
2792I: Utd diria que hay discriminacion dentro del trabajo en terminos de idioma, por ejemplo si hay
2793alguen que sepa ingles, hay mas oportunidades para esa persona?
2794I: Would you say that there is discrimination in employment in terms of language, for example if
2795someone speask English, do they have more opportunities?
2796E: La discriminacion yo creo que no hay porque cuando necesitan el trabajador en toda parte hay
2797uno o dos que hablan el idioma de uno y llaman es a una o dos personas y lo ponen a trabajar con
2798esa persona - y lo orientan y lo ensenan a trabajar. Discriminacion diria cuando lo ponen hacer cosas
2799que tal vez no son debidas, pero a uno lo contrataron para hacer eso, entonces...
2800E: I dont think that there is discrimination because when you need to work theres always one or
2801two who speak your language and you call those people and they give you work with that person
2802and they show you around and teach you the job. Id say theres discrimination when they make
2803you things that you shouldnt, but they make you do them, so
2804I: Entonces no hay prejuiciosos por no saber ingles?
2805I: So there isnt any prejudice about not speaking English?
2806E: Ellos quieren ayudarle a uno de un principio porque muchas veces cuando utd llega a este pais y
2807empieza a trabajar o alguien empieza a trabajar lo primero que siempre hace la gente es casi
2808siempre van a ir a trabajar a una limpieza con un companero, y si es con un ingles le dice que esto
2809es asi, asi asi si es con un colombiano es lo mismo....
2810E: They want to help you out on principle becuase a lot of the time when you get to this country and
2811start orking or someone starts working the first thing you always do is to go to work as a cleaner
2812with a mate, and if hes English hes say thats this and that and if hes Colombian its the same
2813I: Si hay jovenes colombianos que trabajen con emigrantes colombianos utd cree que existe
2814dificultades por el idioma, porque se expresan diferente quisa?
2815I: If there are young Colombians working with Colombian migrants do you think that there are
2816language problems, maybe becuase they express themselves differently?
2817E: El que es de aqui no cambia nada porque quiere decir lo mismo, lo que pasa es que el de aqui o el
2818de alla quiere dominar al uno o al otro, nomas porque el de alla trae su creyencia y su
91
2819impunidad,que dice, yo soy el mas beraco y a mi no me va a joder nadie, y el de aqui pues ya se ha

2820jodido y lo esta orientandolo para que no lo jodan o esta imponendo su conocimiento y asi es.
2821E: What it is is that the one that is from here doesn't change a bit... the thing is the one that is from
2822here or the one from over there wants to dominate one another, only because the person from over
2823there has his beliefs and impunity that says, I'm the toughest around here and no one is going to
2824f**k with me and the one from here has f**ked himself and now he is trying to lead the other so
2825that he doesnt f**k with him or he is setting rules based on his knowledge, that's how it is.
2826I: Utd puede decir que ese conocimiento que esta imponendo es el idioma, que saben ingles?
2827I: Could you say that this knowledge that theyre using is the language, becuase they speak
2828English?
2829E: Uhmm, si pero no solamente en el ingles pero en el conocimiento de como debe manejarse o tal
2830vez el conocimiento de como debe irse de tal parte a tal sitio donde queda mas facil. Hay muchos
2831medios de conocimiento.
2832E: Errm... yes but not only in English also in the knowledge of how you should behave or maybe
2833knowledge of where to go from a certain place to another where it is much easier. There are many
2834forms of knowledge.
2835I: Si utd le dan la oportunidad de estudiar - a utd le hubiera gustado ese apoyo para estudiar ingles,
2836como buscar diferentes trabajos con su conocimeinto del ingles.
2837I: If you were to be given the opportunity to study would you have appreciated this support to
2838study English, to be able to look for different jobs because of your knowledge of English?
2839E: Claro, me gustaria y me gusta - y si hay una entidad que lo haga estoy dispuesto ir para aprender
2840alguna profession o ir para que me ensenen, porque pues, uno entre mas conocimiento tenga menos
2841ignorante es.
2842E: Of course I would appreciate it and Id like to - and if someone can make it so that Im able to
2843go and learn a profession or get taught, becuase well, the more more you learn the less ignorant
2844you are.
2845----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------2846
2847JORGE
2848
2849I: Have you been to any of the Latin american events taking place over the summer?
2850J: No.. I haven't
2851Int: Ok, and why haven't you taken part in any of these events?
2852J: Umm, it's not really my kind of thing to be honest... I'm not really interested in participating in
2853Latin festivals or carnivals, I don't see... I don't really fit in the crowd.
2854I: OK, and do you like keeping in contact or staying close to the Latin American community?
2855J: I don't actually have any friends or anything associated with Latin America other than my family
2856and my background.
2857I: Ok so... why don't you think it's important staying in contact with the Latin American
2858community?
2859J: Because Im integrating more with English people.
2860I: Ok.
2861J: And umm...in the job market and stuff like that everyone is more urr Eng... ur British and they all
2862speak English and your contacts are from all over the world anyway so you don't have to
2863concentrate on just one community.
2864I: Ok, in your opinion what do you think about Colombians or second generation migrant
2865Colombians... like yourself isolate themselves from the Latin American community... what opinions
2866do you have?
92
2867J: I think they don't do it on purpose... I think it just happens - they want to integrate towards more
2868English people and integrate towards different people, they don't necessarily see themselves as one
2869group of people and that's it.
2870I: What do you think about the people that actually do stick with the community?
2871J: I think it's good but I think they've been brought up that way and they've embraced it more than
2872other people have.
2873I: From your point of view what do think migrating or the impact migrating has on an individuals,
2874family and the group dynamics? So for example when you work or are taking part in a reunion.
2875J: I think the second generation person becomes a lot different... they become more
2876westernised...and... you can definitely see a difference between the two groups... between the
2877second generation Colombian people and the migrants themselves.
2878I: So, do you think it affects the families?
2879J: Yeah definitely because a lot of the migrants children don't wanna go back to Colombia so it
2880splits up the family.
2881I: How would you describe the employment situation for migrants in London?
2882J: I think for migrants it's very hard because a lot of them try to stick to their communities, and they
2883don't speak English... so I can't see them doing other jobs apart from low-paid jobs like cleaners for
2884example.
2885I: And how about yourself as a second generation Colombian, how do you see the employment
2886situation?
2887J: I think it's good... it just depends on your experience and what education you have to back it up.
2888I: Ok and do you think that language is important...so having language skills is important to
2889progress and improve the work dynamic in your work place?
2890J: Yeah I think it's definitely important.
2891I: And why do you think that?
2892J: Because... everyone needs to speak English and it's a basic need in the work place... it doesn't
2893where you come from everyone needs to speak English.
2894I: What challenges do you face working in the UK as a second generation Colombian migrant
2895J: None.
2896I: Ok, have you ever worked with Colombian migrants?
2897J: No never.
2898I: Ok, would you say as a result of your education and socialising with different groups you've
2899created your own identity or second generation migrants (Colombians) have developed a different
2900identity from their parents?
2901J: Yeah, I think maybe they've got more aspirations to do something different and then to mix in
2902different groups and to maybe do different jobs.
2903I: Do you feel that, some Colombian migrants do follow what their parents do... so in sense stay in
2904that loop?
2905J: Yeah because, the migrants become senior members in their team and they bring in their families.
2906I: Is this something quite common?
2907J: Yeah I think its quite common, it happens.
2908I: As a second generation migrant do you feel that you've preserved the cultural values and beliefs
2909of your parents.
2910J: Umm, I've got some of their values but not all of them... I have developed my own.
2911I: Do you think there's tension between the different generations of Colombian migrants in terms of
2912their values and their practices?
2913J: Yeah I think definitely.
2914I: Do you think second generation migrants have a different language ideology in terms of how they
93
2915understand and use language?

2916J: No well... my parents would use it all the time whereas I would use it only occasionally - either
2917talking to my parents or someone thats Latin American or from a Spanish speaking country
2918I: Would you say there is a misunderstanding in the way second generation and migrants
2919communicate?
2920J: No, but I think there is a difference, obviously the second generation don't speak as well as their
2921parents would.
2922I: Ok, would you say maintaining Spanish is important for your identity?
2923J: I don't really think so, obviously I have connections with my family and I speak Spanish but I
2924only speak Spanish to my mum and dad.
2925I: Ok, so you wouldn't mind if you were to lose that language?
2926J: I would like to really keep it but I don't think it affects my identity.
2927I: what language to do use more.
2928J: English
2929I: To your understanding do you think that there's any difference between young Colombians in
2930living Colombia and second generation Colombians over here?
2931J: No I don't think so... I think the ones that are in Colombia are more focused on studying than the
2932second generation migrants, which are more influenced by their parents work ethic.
2933I: Ok, would you say second generation migrants feel more independent using English as opposed
2934to Spanish?
2935J: No, it depends who they are speaking to, if they you are speaking to a Latin American person you
2936have to speak in Spanish.
2937I: In what ways do you feel you relate to the Latin American community?
2938J: I don't really think I do but, I like some of the festivals that they put on and it makes me feel... it
2939brings up memories and feelings and I do feel part of it as well.
2940I: Do you feel you are part of the community?
2941J: The one here in London yeah but not in Colombia.
2942I: Do you think that you can be part of the community solely based on your language skills
2943(Spanish) and being Colombian, or do you feel that you have to contribute and keep and keep an
2944active role in the community?
2945J: I think you just need to born into a Colombian family to be part of a community?
2946I: Do think a Latin American, Colombian migrant working community exists where Colombian
2947migrants can go to friends and look for work through people that they know?
2948J: Yeah, they normally have a network and they call each other if they need work.
2949I: Does this working community only help people that speak Spanish?
2950Jorge: Yeah just for Spanish people
2951I: Would you have to be a member of the community in order to be given employment
2952opportunities?
2953J: No, I think if you just know one person it should be all right but if you know more people in the
2954community then it's going to help a lot.
2955I: Ok, and how would a Colombian migrant that does not have membership to this community find
2956jobs or leads to job opportunities?
2957J: Well, if they have English skills they can go to the job centre but if they don't it's going to be a bit
2958more harder
2959I: So you think language skills are important to get you through?
2960J: Yeah.
2961I: Have you been given any job opportunities within the community?
2962J: No
94
2963I: In what ways would you describe Spanish Speaking Latinos that do not have membership to the
2964community?
2965J: I think that they have different attitudes to the people, the culture and just the attitude is different,
2966more European style.
2967I: In what way would you say their behaviour changes?
2968J: They act more European.
2969I: Do you think they choose to leave the community in order to find new and better opportunities?
2970J: I think it depends on the situation, a lot of people just want to learn and experience new things or
2971some people have had bad experiences within their own people and want to lead different lives.
2972I: Would you say that they benefit more or less than someone that is part of the community?
2973J: Well if you speak English then you don't really need them... if you don't speak English youre not
2974going to benefit at all by not being in the group... you need to be in the group for help.
2975I: Do you think they fear that their children would mirror the same work dynamics?
2976Jorge: Umm, I don't it's like that but maybe they've had bad experiences with their own community.
2977I: What are your attitudes towards langauge as a second generation migrant?
2978J: I think it's good to know both languages, English and Spanish and a great benefit to have both
2979languages.
2980I Would you say it helps you access the Latin American community?
2981J: Yeah definitely, you need to know Spanish.
2982I: Would you say it gives you automatic membership into the Colombian community?
2983J: Not just because you speak Spanish, no you have to be from the country I guess.
2984I: So how about the Latin American community?
2985J: Yeah, well it does help.
2986I: So what I gather is that when its more of a specific community based on nationality you have to
2987be from the country in order to be part of the community, no?
2988J: Yeah, you can just be from Spain and join the Colombian community.
2989I: Do you think that there are other factors that help acquire full membership into the community,
2990other than language?
2991J: I think you have to have the attitude and personality, the ... just the Colombian attitude.
2992I: Would you say language has something to do with that?
2993J: Yeah, definitely using certain words and phrases comes as part of the typical colombina
2994personality that they need.
2995I: Can you tell whether someone is part of the community based on the language that they use, the
2996words, the phrases, and the address terms?
2997J: I can tell by the way they talk...they havent loss their accent... they use a lot of colloquial words
2998and you can hear them on the phone sometimes and you can tell that their definitely from Colombia.
2999I: How important is it the way they speak to acquire membership into the community... take for
3000example address terms - what words and phrases would they use... what stands out for you?
3001J: They would say "queu", I don't know loads of words but you can tell from the accent.
3002I: Ok, how would you address a member of the community?
3003J: For me I would be very formal.
3004I: All the time?
3005J: Yeah because I don't really know anyone in the community
3006I: Ok so how would you say hello or address someone?
3007J: Hola, mucho gusto, como estas? ... just the basics.
3008I: Do you feel that discrimination exists based on language difficulties?
3009J: Yeah, I think it does.
3010I: Do you think that their are problems between how second generation migrants use langauge in the
95
3011workplace?
3012J: No I don't think there is, I think most second generation migrants speak English properly anyway.
3013I: How about if they are working with Colombian's, how would that work out?
3014J: Well they might take the mickey of how they speak Spanish but it should be alright.
3015I: Would you say that there is a barrier between you and them based on their language skills and
3016their ideologies?
3017J: I think not because of the language skills but because of the different mentality and different
3018attitude... I've grown a more independent attitude and more westernised attitude whereas they stay
3019with their same attitude and that's where the conflict is I guess.
3020I: Ok, thanks.
3021----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------3022
3023HECTOR AND FABIO
3024
3025I:Utd han ido a algun festival latino o eventos latinoamericanos este ano?
3026I: Have you been to any Latino festivals or Latin American events this year?
3027H: Yo si.
3028H: I have.
3029F: Yo no, por que soy recien llegando a este pais.
3030F: I havent, because Ive recently arrived in this country.
3031I: Y cuantos anos llevas en este pais?
3032I: And how long have you been in this country?
3033F: Aqui? Dos meses.
3034F: Here? Two months.
3035H: Yo llevo seis meses.
3036H: Ive been here for six months.
3037I: Como le parece los eventos latinoamericanos, para utd son importantes?
3038I: What do you think of Latin American events, are they important to you?
3039H: Hombre yo... es el primero que yo he asistido y me parecio muy bien - siempre, digamos siempre
3040por ejemplo yo vengo a espana y he ido a los eventos.... me parece que es algo my llamativo, ya ve
3041que... de que todo los latinoamericanos siempre se reunen.
3042H: Mate I its the first thing that helped me out and I think its good we always say that for
3043example if I go to Spain and I go to the event I see them as something that appeals a lot, I see
3044thatthat all the Latin Americans get together there.
3045I: Utd creer que es importante tener contacto y ese apoyo de la comunidad latina.
3046I: Do you think that its important to have contact and support from the Latino community?
3047H: Claro obviamente - sin ese apoyo no seria nada.
3048H: Yes of course without this support there wouldnt be anything.
3049F: Claro, hay que estar unidos ya que uno esta afuera del pais.
3050F: Of course, you have to be united now that youre out of your country.
3051I: Utd piensa que teniendo como amigos, conocidos dentro la comunidad ayuda con oportunidades
3052de empleo?
3053I: Do you think that having friends, acquaintainces in the community aids empolyment
3054opportunities?
3055H: Supuestamente cuando... hablemolo asi... cuando el emigrante esta afuera, siempre se, siempre
3056es bueno la union por eso.... porque se abren mas las puertas atraves de nosotros mismos - se habren
3057las puertas de empleo - porque siempre el uno pues le hala al otro y el otro te hala al otro - siempre
3058esas son las puertas que se abren.... porque cualquier persona que este afuera del pais eso es lo mas
96
3059jodido.
3060H: I suppose whentalking of thiswhen the migrant is abroad, its always, its always good to
3061meet like thisbecuase we open the doors ourselves the doors to employment becuase someone
3062always calls someone else and he calls someone else these are always the doors that open
3063becuase anyone whos outside of their country is the most f***ed.
3064F: Si, tambien me parece muy importante.
3065F: Yes, I think its important too.
3066I: Utd que opina de los latinos, los colombianos que, haber, se aislan de la comunidad - es decir
3067-que no son parte de la comunidad?
3068I: What do you think of the Latinos, the Colombians who isolate themselves from the community
3069thats to say who arent part of the community?
3070H: Si no, de todas maneras lo que pasa es que en toda parte tiene que haber gente asi, no? Porque
3071degamo el ejemplo como tu padre, todos no venimos lo mismo - unos venimos a trabajar, unos
3072vienen a... por decir asi a menjir, hacer algun negocio - entonces siempre esta es precavido no...
3073siempre esta al dia y ella persona que no con lo de siempre es siempre precavido.
3074H: What happens is that theres always people like that right? Take your dad for example, we dont
3075all come for the same reason, some come to work, some come toto do some business so it
3076always splittheres always that person who stays away and is different.
3077F: Eso avces lo siento yo - me gusta estar unido pero muy aparte.
3078F: Thats what I think sometimes - I like to be part of it but seperate.
3079I: Que es su opinion de la situacion de empleo para los inmigrantes colombianos?
3080I: What do you think about the employment situation for Colombian immigrants?
3081F: Hoy en dia, ehhh digamos un ejemplo en el momento hay una avalancha... y lo que se esta
3082viviendo otros pueblo esta mal entonces la gente.. van buscando haber donde esta las puertas
3083abiertas, hombre, para mantener empleo... aveces se pone un poco apretado, presisamente por eso
3084esta llegando gente y se vemos lo que yo digo, osea lo de la union... osea si el que viene y tiene
3085amigo es una oportunidad.
3086F: At the moment for example, at the moment theres an avalanchethings are bad so people
3087theyre looking for open doors, man, to get worksometimes they get fed up, precisely becuase
3088people are arriving and the see an avalanche like I said, or the unionso coming and having a
3089friend already is an opportunity.
3090H: Lo que pasa es que se sieran mas las oportunidades por la falta del idioma, eso el lo que mas nos
3091afecta.
3092H: What happens is that opportunities dry up when you dont speak the language, thats what
3093affects us the most.
3094I: Utd piensa que idiomas - el ingles - es importante para mejorar las oportunidades de empleo?
3095I: Do you think that languages English is important to improve employment opportunities?
3096H: Claro si.
3097H: Yes of course.
3098F: Obviamente si.
3099F: Yes, obviously.
3100I: Cuando veniste a este pais que obstaculos encontro - estando en este pais?
3101I: When you came to this country what obstacles did you encounter from being in this country?
3102H: Yo la verdad si soy honesto... obtaculos ninguno - mientras uno aprenda el idioma nunca sera
3103una persona muda.
3104H: To tell the truth, if Im honestno obstacleswhile you learn the language youre not mute.
3105F: Si, si uno no puede hablar aqui uno no puede decir nada y el idioma es importante.
3106F: Yes, if you cant talk here you cant say anything and language is very important.
97
3107I: Habiendo trabajado con jovenes colombianos - utd que opina de jovenes colombiano que hayan
3108nacido en este pais - son diferentes a los colombianos que viene de colombia?
3109I: Having worked with young Colombians what do you think of young Colombians who have been
3110born in this country are they different to Colombians who come from Colombia?
3111H: Yo no le he visto diferencia.
3112H: I havent seen a difference.
3113F: Yo la verdad no veo la diferencia.
3114F: To tell the truth I dont see a difference.
3115I: Y cree que se comunican bien o mal?
3116I: And do you think that they communicate well or badly?
3117H: Osea, tal y qual como nosotros los companeros de trabajo.
3118H: Its the same as us, workmates.
3119F: Pues si, bien .
3120F: Well, yes ok.
3121I: Entonces utd no cree que tengan una identidad diferente a los latinos,colombianos?
3122I: So you dont think that they have a differnet identity to Latinos, Colombians?
3123F: Yo los veo como colombianos.
3124F: I see them as Colombians.
3125H: Lo que pasa es que tu nacio aqui no?
3126H: Look you were born here right?
3127I: Si, yo naci aqu.
3128I: Yes, I was born here.
3129H: Lo que pasa es que si tu comparas, siempre distinge una persona que le llama la atencion no,
3130puede ser blanco, puede ser negro y la verdad es que... degamos, hablemos de por decir algo de
3131tu hermano... si tu hermano es una persona mas digamos, la persona que diga - "yo naci aqui, yo me
3132creo ingles cien por ciento", degamos por seguro que mas de un latino no se le arrimaria cien por
3133ciento... por que ya el seve a ver por encima de persona - pero como ya le digo, como companero
3134es una excellente persona por lo cual.... por lo qual uno lo ve como es... como colombiano.
3135H: What it is if that if you always compare, always point out one person who draws your attention,
3136they could be white, they could be black, the truth is lets say your brotherif your brother is a
3137person, lets say... a person that says, I was born here, I am one hundred percept English, lets say
3138for sure that no Latino would not bother to get to know him one hundred percent... because know
3139he will look over his shoulder at a person but what I say is that, as a companion hes a great
3140person becuasebecuase you can see that heshes Colombian.
3141I: Entonces se comunica muy bien no hay problemas?
3142I: So do they communicate well or are there problems?
3143H: Si, bien.
3144H: Yes, well.
3145F: Yo veo que se comunican bien.
3146F: I think that they communicate well.
3147I: Utd cre que emigrando hacia otro pais afecta la familia, el individuo?
3148I: Do you think emigrating to a different country affects the familiy, the individual?
3149F: Obviamente, es duro para irse de su pais y si afecta la familia y el hogar.
3150F: Of course, its tough to leave your country and it does affects the familiy and the home.
3151H: Obviamente eso, en el momento de apartir de tu pais.... de irse de tu pais, por decir colombia que
3152ya ha sentido y leguo haces raiz en otra parte y que tengas que apartir, pues es doloroso porque
3153hombre vengo de mi pais, hecho raizes aqui y para volver apartir como me ha pasado ha resultado
3154bastante duro la verdad.
98
3155H: Of course it does, when you leave your countrywhen you leave, lets say Colombia, like I have
3156and you set down roots in another place and you have to leave, well its painfull becuase I come
3157from my country, Ive got roots and I found leaving really hard to be honest.
3158I: Utd. ve que gastan mas tiempo en el trabajo que con la familia?
3159I: Do you think that you spend more time at work than with your families?
3160F: Todo una vida.... indiscutiblemente.
3161F: All my lifewithout a doubt.
3162H: Supuestamente, este vivo o este muerto, aqui trabajo todo el dia.
3163H: Supposedly Im alive or dead, here I work all day long.
3164I: Utd cree que utd han cambiado en sus valores, cultura - que has cambiado - utd que opina has
3165cambiando en cosas?
3166I: Do you think that your values, culture, have changed that youve changed what things do you
3167think have changed.
3168H: Yo personalmente, yo creo que no - lo que yo llevo lo sigo valorando mucho - que si he
3169aprendido otras cosas? Si, puede ser.
3170H: Personally I dont think that I have I still value what I brought with me a lot have I learnt
3171other things? Yes, I could have.
3172F: Yo he aprendido otras cosas, y si utd llega a meterse a esa cultura hay que aprender y respetarla.
3173F: Ive learnt other things, and if youre going to be become part of this culture you have to learn
3174about it and respect it.
3175I: Cree que han formado otra identidad - una identidad que es muy particular a utd que viene de
3176colombia - que un colombiano que viva en colombia no va a tener?
3177I: Do you think that you have formed a different identity an identity thats very particular to you
3178as someone from Colombia - that a Colombian living in Colombian wont have?
3179F: Se consigue mas experiencia... osea adquiere mucha experiencia saliendo del pais.
3180F: Youre more experiencedthat is you gain a lot of experience by leaving your country.
3181I: Que idioma utilizan mas - el espanol o ingles?
3182I: What language do you use more - Spanish or English?
3183H: El espanol.
3184H: Spanish.
3185F: El ingles.
3186F: English.
3187I: En que formas cree que utd se relaciona con la comunidad latina?
3188I: How do you think you relate to the Latino Community?
3189H: Hombre supuestamente desde un principio - desde que yo llegue a londres una de las cosas que
3190mas une es el deporte... si porque a donde tu llege...donde tu llege esta el deporte...porque, digamos
3191el deporte donde tu llegas - los amigos que he conocido o los que he encontrado son atraves del
3192futbol.
3193H: Mate, from the start supposedly since I arrived in London one of the things that brings people
3194together the most is sportyes because wherever you gowherever you go theres sportbecuase,
3195lets say sport where you find yourself the friends Ive known or those Ive met have been through
3196football.
3197F: Las fiestas estas, que por si son las que llaman la atencion y nos unen.
3198F: These parties, becuase theyre what draw your attention and unite people.
3199I: Utd piensa que hay como una cadena de amigos, de conocidos - es decir una comunidad de
3200empleo latinoamericano or colombiano que existe en este pais? Es decir, con esa cadena de amigos
3201y conocidos utd encuentran tabajos e oportunidades.
3202I: Do you think that theres a chain of friends, of acquaintainces a community of Latin American
99
3203or Colombian workers in this country? I mean a chain of friends and acquaintainces that find you
3204work and opportunities.
3205H: Exactamente, esa es la puerta mas, mas...como dijera, mas efectible que uno encuentra.
3206H: Exactly, thats the door most, mosthow do you say, most effective door that you can find.
3207F: Cuando uno vienes asi, sin saber este idioma... es por donde tu te tienes que meter por que si no
3208entiendes este idioma no va a tener muchas puertas abiertas ... hay que se real y si tu te vienes con el
3209ingles.. puedes tener mejores oportunidades por otro lado.
3210F: When you come like this, not knowing the language... it's where you have to go because if you
3211don't understand this language you are not going to have many opportunities... you have to be real
3212and recognise if you know English...you can have better opportunities.
3213I: Y quisa no habria necesidad de entrar en la comunidad.
3214I: And you may not need to enter into the community.
3215F: Haber, no salirse simplemente trabajar por otro lado que por donde vas a tener mejor
3216remuneracion...
3217F: Not always for work but on the other hand youll get paid more.
3218I: Utd cree que el solo hecho de ser colombiano no es suficiente para ser parte de la comunidad 3219uno tiene que colaborar y uno tiene que tiener relaciones con gente en esta cadena?
3220I: Do you think that just being Colombian isnt enough to make you part of the community do you
3221have to collaborate and have relations with the people in this chain?
3222H: Obiamente obiamente, si tu... pongamole un ejemplo - si tu eres colombiano pero tu no suenas
3223por ningun lado no eres nadie, sabes. Porque aqui le pongo un ejemplo aqui habemos cuatro
3224personas, si de esas cuatro personas estamos sin trabajo pero si uno se logra entra, ya sabemos que
3225atraves de esa puerta puede haber trabajos y mas.
3226H: Of course, of course, if youfor exampleif youre Colombian but you dont have any
3227aspirations youre nobody, you know. Becuase here, for example, here weve got four people and
3228through that door there could be work and more.
3229F: Obviamente uno tiene que hacerse notar para entrar en la comunidad.
3230F: Of course you have to pay attention in order to enter into the community.
3231I: Utd cree que los colombianos que escogen un camino diferente, que no son parte de la
3232comunidad, se encuentran con diferentes valores, y aspiran tener alguna cultura diferente?
3233I: Do you think that Colombians who choose a different path arent part of the community, that they
3234have different values and aspire to have a different culture?
3235H: Hombre yo creo que, digamos un ejemplo, esas personas aveces son muy diferentes y aquellas
3236personas que muchas veces se aislan pueden hasta sufrir mas que uno pero uno no se da cuente
3237porque no tienes contacto con esa persona..... mientras la persona que... digamos un ejemplo, aqui el
3238senor o la senora es amigo mio y yo puedo ir a decir Oye, que la verda estoy pansando por un
3239momento asi, asa - la persona que se aisla es eso, que cuando esta bien, esta bien pero cuando llega
3240el bajon, igual sufre como una persona mas abierta.
3241H: Man I think that, for example, those people are sometimes very different and a lot of the time
3242these people isolate themselves until they suffer more than you but you dont realise becuase youre
3243not in contact with that personwhile the person thatfor example, here the man or woman is my
3244friend and I can go to them and say Hey, Im thinking of doing this, an isolated person is like
3245this, when theyre fine theyre fine but when it comes to it they suffer, so does a more open person.
3246F: Yo creo que aspiran a otras cosas pero no sabra decirle porque se aislan.
3247F: I think that they want other things but they dont know how to say it becuse theyre isolated.
3248I: Utd cree probablemente que esta gente que se aislan tiene miedo que sus hijos van a en vicios o
3249seguir la misma cadena de los papas, me entiende?
3250I: Do you think that these people who isolate themselves are probably afraid that their children are
100
3251picking up bad habits or the same chain as their parents, maybe?

3252H: Digamos digamos, yo hablo por mi personalmente - yo tengo dos hijos y yo hago limpeza y yo
3253trabajo construcion y puedo decorar y todo y siempre, siempre que tu tienes los hijos quiere algo
3254mejor para ellos, no, no, no, no que sigan lo mismo a lo mejor porque ellos saben lo que le ha
3255costado a uno... entonces si uno puede darles algo mejor a ellos, entonces mucho mejor, no?
3256I:Lets see, lets see, personally speaking Ive got two kids and Im a cleaner and I work in
3257construction and Im a decorator and everything and when youve got kids you always, always
3258want better for them, not, not, not, not that they follow the same path because they know what its
3259cost.so if you can you give them better, much better, right?
3260F: Uno no puede ser conformista... por eso hoy estamos aqui pero quieremos aspirar un deseo que
3261es que vine a estudiar el idioma, para poder aspirar a algo mejor.
3262F: You cant conform thats why were here today but we want to aspire which is why we came to
3263study the language, to aspire to something better.
3264I: Utd ha notado cambios en su lenguaje - cambios en el espanol?
3265I: Have you noticed changes in your language changes in your Spanish?
3266H: No.
3267H: No.
3268F: La verdad, no.
3269F: Honestly, no.
3270I: Utd piensa que con saber ciertos modales, palabras y phrases ayuda entablar una amistad dentro
3271de la comunidad comparado a un espanol por ejemplo?
3272I: Do you think that knowing certain terms, words and phrases helps establish friendships within
3273the community compared to a Spanish person for example?
3274H: Hombre yo digo la aciercamiento digamos, hablando de un caso personal, especialmente yo creo
3275que el colombiano es.... de los que yo he tenido aqui es a traves de los mismos amigos que yo he
3276tenido. Osea que uno ya los va conociendo, y se deja conocer y ven como es utd y alli va viniendo
3277la amistad dependiendo como ha sido utd, como sea.... por ejemplo yo como te digo que en el
3278deporte eso es... tu tu pongamos un ejemplo que tu va jugar futbol, hay vientidos personas, sin los
3279vientidos son colombianos, todos van a conocer tu nombre y cuando vean es queu' y queu' y ya
3280depende como sea tu por ejemplo.
3281H: Id say that more or less, talking personally, espescially me I think that being Colombian is
3282from whats happened here and through friends that Ive had.
3283I: Cuando utd no conoce a alguien - digamos que es colombiano pero no tienes suficiente confiansa
3284con esa persona - utd como lo titula o lo saludan?
3285I: When you dont know anyone lets say theres a Colombian but you dont have enough trust in
3286that person how would you address them?
3287H: Hablo por mi, yo soy una persona muy abierta - que por ejemplo yo entro aqui y... por poner un
3288ejemplo yo vengo a trabajar alli y yo veo que una persona ya habla me idioma, y ya con eso yo
3289identifico la persona y digo queu' quemas, mi nombre es.. tal - si la persona es abierta va hacer
3290igual - si ya veo que la persona es un poco serrrada pues tal vez uno no entra alli - pero ya el hecho
3291de llegar y preguntarme... ya estoy dando una cuerda, no a esa persona.
3292H: Speaking for myself, Im a very open person for example I came in here andfor example I go
3293to work there and I see that someone speaks my language and I identify with this person and I say 3294hey, hey my names.. whatever if that person is open theyll be fine with it and if I notice that
3295that person is a little closed well I might not do it like that Ill stop and ask myselfam I going to
3296make the effort, not with this person.
3297I: Entonces normalmente eres muy abierto...
3298I: So normally youre very open
101
3299H: Si si, veo la persona y si me da el lado yo briego de hacer amistad y tambien ve se la persona es
3300demasiado cerada.
3301H: Yes yes, I see someone and if the give me the chance Ill try to make friends and even if the
3302person is a bit cold.
3303F: Si veo que la persona es mas fiable, osea de confiansa y que le de confiansa para saludarlo pues
3304digo, que tal amigo, me llamo tal! normalmente
3305F: If I see that someones loyal, or trustworthy and that theyre confident to be greeted well I
3306normally say Whats up friend, my nameswhatever!.
3307I: Que palabritas o phrases que utd conoscan que son muy particulares al dialecto colombiano - es
3308decir...
3309I: What words or phrases do you not that are very particular to the Colombian dialect, like
3310H: Ahhh, pues, yo honestamente los amigos amigos que me he encuentrado aqui yo honestamente
3311los cogo y les digo Entonces que? que pasa guevon? esa es la palabrita que se oye mucho.
3312H: Ahhh, well, honestly with the good friends that Ive made here I meet up with them and I say
3313So what, whats up man? thats the word that you hear a lot.
3314F: Cuando hay mucha confiasan dice Que maricon, como le ha ido? utd que, como estuvo la
3315cosa?, cuando uno tiene mucha confiansa.
3316F: When you know someone wll you say Hey man, howve you been? Whats up with you, hows
3317things?, when you know them very well.
3318I: Cuando uno no tiene mucha confiansa que palabras o phrases utilizan?
3319I: When you dont know someone very well what words or phrases do you use?
3320H: Hola como esta? buenos dias etc...
3321H: Hello how are you? Good morning etc
3322H: Cuando uno hace una llamada uno dice Queubo' mijo utd que? a donde esta? Entonces que
3323parcerito.
3324H: When you call someone you say Whats up kid, how are you? Where are you? Whats
3325happening man?
3326F: Parce!!
3327F: Bro!
3328I: Cree que existe la discriminacion dentro del trabajo por la falta de ingles que hablan los
3329inmigrantes?
3330I: Do you think that there is discrimination in the workplace becuase of a lack of English among
3331immigrants?
3332H: Si claro, uno tiene que saber el idioma, alli esta.
3333H: Yes of course, you have to speak the English, thats how it is.
3334F: Si, alli no miran si tu eres un trabajador bueno, aqui hay que saber el idioma - si yo quiero aspirar
3335a por ejemplo, llevar un bus a mi me van a decir Sabes el ingles? No, pues, lo siento.
3336F: Yeah, they dont care if youre a good worker, here you have to speak the language if I want to
3337aspire to for example, drive a bus theyre going to ask me Do you speak English? No, well, Im
3338sorry.
3339I: Utd se siente mas independiente hablando en espanol que el ingles?
3340I: Do you feel more independent speaking Spanish or English?
3341H: Pues en este momento, por ejemplo no sabiendo nada de ingles, si obiamente.
3342H: Well at the moment, for example not speaking any English, yes of course.
3343F: Si obviamente - noy hay que pensarlo.
3344F: Yes of course no question.
3345----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------3346
102
3347MILTON
3348
3349I: Have you been to any of the Latin american events taking place over the summer?
3350M: No, not lately.
3351I: Ok, and why havn't taken part in any of these events?
3352M: Umm, I just don't... truely I don't like being in the scene.
3353I: Ok, you don't like being part of that community?
3354M: It doesn't feel that same as being in Colombia.
3355I: OK, and do you like keeping in contact and staying close to the Latin American community?
3356M: I do and I don't - I prefer um the older generation...they seem more real to me.
3357I: Ok so you like mixing with people of your parent's kind of age group?
3358M: Yeah.
3359I: And you don't really get along with the younger generation (second generation migrants)?
3360M: No.
3361I: Ok that's interesting!
3362I: Would you say it is important being a network of friends and support within this community for
3363employment opportunities and for support?
3364M: I think it is... it's important to have connections in all sorts of areas and different people.
3365I: Ok,what's your opinion on Colombians that choose to isolate themselves and beak away from the
3366latin american community?
3367M: Depending how long they've been in this country and I could see their point... why they would
3368break themselves away from that...because ummm... a lot of people that have just been here for a
3369couple of years really change- their behaviour changes and they wasn't like that when they were
3370back home - so it's not very real.
3371I: Ok, what impact would you say your parents migrating to this country has had on your family and
3372you as an individual?
3373M: I think... society hasn't... the society Ive grown up in hasn't made me the person my parents
3374want me to be... probably and I've got a different attitude.... and I tend to speak more English 3375cause I'm use to that with my brothers.
3376I: How would you describe the employment situation for migrants in London?
3377M: Very slim pickings because if you don't speak English you're not gonna get very far so one tends
3378to go into cleaning.
3379I: Ok, do feel having Spanish and English helps you at work?
3380M: Yeah definately, if you've got both of the languages then you can communicate with the bosses
3381which would obviously be English speaking and you can speak to the migrants workers... yep it's
3382important.
3383I: What challenges do face when working with Colombian migrants?
3384M: not really any only a couple of words that you won't understand but it's not much of a challenge
3385I: How different would you say they are to yourself?
3386M: Well they're very.... they put their head down and just do their work and ...they're just here to
3387feed their family and make their money... try make a better life for themselves whereas i've got my
3388life here, i've grown up here and I just think of making my life here... it's just different.
3389I: Would you say it because they come with a different school of thought in the sense that they are
3390educated differently and socailise with Colombians back at home that they are very different to
3391you?
3392M: They're not very different because at the same time in my household they way i've been taught is
3393quite similar to the a normal Colombian upbringing... i've been brought up like a Colombian. So
3394you get taught thee same way as your parents got taught mainly and it's the same as a English
103
3395family.
3396I: So at home your saying you were taught as a Colombian and outside its different?
3397M: Yeah Colombia at home... and it sticks with me and outside its just communication (speaking in
3398English).
3399I: Would you say second generation Colombians have new identities to that of Colombians that
3400come from Colombia?
3401M: We have, we have... well you could tell if you see a migrant and a second generation migrant3402someone who was born here - and you could just tell from the way they dress to the way they speak
3403to the way they look.
3404I: Do you feel that you've kept your families, parents cultural values and beliefs.
3405M: Yeah definately - respect... um organisation and um everything really... its just different to an
3406English familiy
3407I: Do you think there's any conflict and tension between migrants and second generation migrants?
3408M: No, not really
3409I: Would you say you have a different concept of language and ideology in terms of how to use it
3410and when to use it?
3411M: how to use my language wisely?
3412I: Yeah but rather how you choose to use your language - for example when you communicate with
3413you collegues at work (migrants).
3414M: Probably my accent, I still sort of act just like a Colombian.
3415I: So you say you have a high level of awareness of what they say?
3416M: Yeah.
3417I: Do you feel some Colombians might feel threatened by your langauge skills knowing both
3418English and Spanish?
3419M: Um they might feel threatened beacause they wanna do different things... they might feel
3420threatened beacause you've got more opportunity and they see that and they probably wish that they
3421could speak English.
3422I: But there's no apprent tension?
3423M: Oh, no.
3424I: Would you say as a result of your parents migranting to London their identities have changed?
3425M: They're the same, they seem the same.
3426I: Would you say that maintaining both languages ... both Colombian Spanish and English is
3427important for your identity?
3428M: Yeah definitely.
3429Int: What language would you say you use more on a daily basis?
3430M: At the moment mostly English... I do speak quite a lot of Spanish- every day but English
3431definitely.
3432I: Which language do feel more comfortable speaking?
3433M: Speaking English.
3434I: Who do you speak Spanish with?
3435M: I speak spanish to my parents and ... people at work that don't speak English but Im
3436comfortable at work speaking in Spanish.
3437I: Would you say you feel more independent using English or Spanish?
3438M: More independent using English but I feel fine speaking in Spanish aswell.
3439I: In what ways do you feel you relate to the Latin American community?
3440M: Um, my blood, my attitude, my way of thinking most of the time.
3441I: So would you say you are part of the community based on you being Colombian or would you
3442say you have to contribute within the community, be known and have an active role in order to be
104
3443part of the community?

3444M: Well if you want to be part of the community the Latin American community you've got to be at
3445places where they're all at... me personally I just stay true to myself and just stick what my parent...
3446the way in which they brought me up which stick with me but I guess I am part of the community.
3447I: Would you say that there is a Latin American,Colombian migrant working community that exist
3448where a network of people that you know or friends of friends kind of help each other find work?
3449M: Yeah definitely.
3450I: Is this community one that helps Spanish speaking latinos with employment opportunities?
3451M: It's like a chain of migrants that have come through... probably have lived in houses with
3452migrants and groups... one would come and say if you could see if there is any jobs for me, let me
3453know and that's how it goes.
3454I: Would you say you need to be a member of the community in order to get these job opportunities.
3455M: Yeah... most of the time.
3456I: Have you ever found or been given a job as a result of being part of the community.
3457M: Yeah.
3458I: In what way would you describe spanish speaking latinos that don't have membership to the
3459community? Do they have different values and different beliefs?
3460M: Are we talking about second generation?
3461I: Yeah
3462M: Well they just carry on with the way their life goes, it's preety simple they just don't get involved
3463I: And how about migrants?
3464M: Migrants that have just been here for a few years are part of the community - what i'm saying is
3465that people that have been here for so long they choose not to be involve because it's not their thing
3466because maybe when they came there wasn't many Latin people and they done things in a different
3467way.
3468I: In what ways would you say these migrants behaviour changes from being in the community one
3469day to coming out?
3470M: Um, well I don't think that they actually get out of the community to be honest they need it...
3471they need it- that's there security, their people.
3472I: Would you say you benefit more by being part of the community or less?
3473M: Me myself... less... iIdon't need to be part of a community where it's all gossip and people
3474looking at what you're wearing- I just do my own thing really.
3475I: So do you think there's a lot of friction between your upbrining and other migrants way of
3476thinking?
3477M: Yeah definately... like a say - I've been brought up by old school Colombians which got brought
3478up with old school colombian beliefs and left the country when they were young and that's what
3479they know... so they just kind of directed that onto their kids...and I don't believe it's the same as
3480what I've seen from other migrants because they all come with a different way of thinking and a...
3481I: So do think the way your parents think is very different to the way migrants think now days when
3482they come to this country and what ways would you say their beliefs differ?
3483M: They have... I could say they have no class... no respect for people... um some of them Ive
3484never seen a Colombian tramp until the other day and a couple months ago and you didn't see that
3485before so that's weird to see and from what my beliefs have been Colombians - if I look at my dad
3486he's very strict and you've got to work hard for what you want and it's really wierd to see something
3487like that.
3488I: Would you say these Colombian migrants like your dad - the ones that have chosen to get out of
3489the community don't want their kids following the same kind of cycle and go through the same
3490problems in life?
105
3491M: Um, that's really independent.

3492I: How would you say your attitudes to towards language are both Spanish and English?
3493M: Yeah definately... I think Spanish is an important language, it's one of the most use languages
3494about and not only in your work and talking to your parents - you can go... I don't know to a
3495Spanish speaking country which they're quiet a few, you can talk to girls with that lingo - it's good
3496to have Spanish not many people have it.
3497I: Would you say your knowledge of spanish helps you communicate and get in with the Colombian
3498community?
3499M: Yeah.
3500I: Would you say having knowledge of Spanish gives you automatic membership into a commuity
3501or would you say there are other factors that contribute?
3502M: Well they're very simple people so if you just speak spanish you've got a good way about you...
3503you're welcome really.
3504I: Can you tell whether someone is part of the Colombian Latin American community based on the
3505language that they use, the words, the phrases, the way they say hello to people, can you tell?
3506M: Yeah you can tell whether they're migrants or second generation migrants.
3507I: So when you're at work are their different work are their different words and phrases that say a
3508colombian would use compared to an ecuadorian for example?
3509M: Yeah, they will have a lot of different phrases... you won't understand them... and we have
3510phrases they don't have a clue about either.
3511I: How would you address someone in your community, how would you say hello to someone?
3512M: Hola, como esta?
3513I: And do you know like any other sort of in-group codes... for instance if you're friends with
3514someone how would you say hello?
3515M: I use simple things but you mean things like... Como esta llave? Its the manner but I think all
3516parts of Colombia have different ways of saying things.
3517Int: how would you address someone that you don't know very well
3518M: I would say hola.
3519I: Do you think that there is discrimination at the work pace because second generation migrants
3520might use English instead of Spanish in the work place?
3521M: No I don't think... I think if you think about it they speak spanish in front of English people and
3522they don't have a clue and English people are speaking...
3523I: How about yourself speaking in English in front of them?
3524M: Um they'd probably make a joke about it but nothing serious.
3525I: What if there was a support network and people in these kind of low paid job could get education
3526and at the same time earn a living to develop their languages skills do you think that would be
3527something good?
3528M: That would definately help, I think they would like an opportunity like that.
3529-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------3530
3531OSCAR
3532
3533I:Usted a ido a alguno de los festivales latinos este verano?
3534I: Have you been to any Latino festivals this summer?
3535O: No.
3536O: No.
3537I: Y por que?
3538I :Why is that?
106
3539O: A..ehh... eso uno aya se aburre mucho y...para ver siempre las mismas cosas es una perdida de
3540tiempo.
3541O: Ummbecause they get really boring and... seeing the same things all the time is a waste of
3542time.
3543I: A usted le gusta estar en contacto y serca a la comunidad latina?
3544I: Do you like to stay in touch and close to the community
3545O: Claro.
3546O: Of course.
3547I: Por que es important para usted?
3548I: Why is it important to you?
3549O: Pues es importante porque... pues uno se quenta de cosas del pas...se da cuenta uno de todas las
3550noticias nuevas y como esta el pas funcionando y tambien uno conose nueva gente y a hay gente
3551que no ve hace mucho tiempo entonces le gusta a uno compartir un rato con la gente y hablar- estar
3552uno compartiendo con ellos- cambiar un poquito la runtina de trabajar y trabajar y trabajar...
3553entonces un ratico de esparsiamiento que le caie a uno bien.
3554O: Well it's important because... well you get to know a few things about the country.. you get to
3555know all the news and how the county's doing and also get to know new people and people you
3556haven't seen for a long time so it's good to spend a while with them and talk to share things with
3557them it changes the routine of work and work a bit ...so a bit of something different goes down
3558well.
3559I: Utd cuantos anos lleva en este pas?
3560I: How many years have you been in this country?
3561O: Yo viente seis.
3562O: Twenty six years.
3563I:Utd cree que es importante tener amigos y apoyo dentro de la comunidad latina?
3564I: Do you think that it's important to have friends and support within the Latino community?
3565O: De que? Apoyo de los amigos o de los groupos?
3566O: What kind? Support from friends or from groups?
3567I: De los dos.
3568I: From both.
3569O: Bueno... claro que es importante porque uno esta en un pas estrano y um... y pues uno quiere
3570-pues tener algo de uno, algo de la comunidad - algo que sea organisado por uno que es donde por
3571uno mismo se entiende ms y sabe las necesidades que uno tiene
3572O: Well..of course it's important becuase you're in a strange country and umm...and well you want
3573 to be part of something, part of the community something that's organised for you and where
3574you can understand more and know what you need to do.
3575I: Ve utd que estando en contacto con la comunidad ayuda con opportunidades de trabajo, empleo?
3576I: Do you think that being in touch with the communnity helps with job opportunities and
3577employment?
3578O: Claro es algo necessario - por medio de la comunidad pues uno se da cuenta de nuevos
3579trabajos...si es trabjo lo que uno busca y si es en cuanto educacin pues se da cuenta de cursos que
3580uno pueda hacer para mejorarse en el area del trabajo y si es en la cuestion de los social y lo
3581cultural- si uno tiene contacto con la comunidad pues se da cuenta de las actividades que vaja a
3582hacer la comunidad ehh a corto plaso o largo plaso y de los nuevos sitios que hallan abierto ya sea
3583restaurantes o discotecas- differentes sitios que tiene que ver con la comunidad nuestra, no
3584Entonces si es important porque es... es o el contacto ms ciercano que con el que podemos contar,
3585no?
3586O: Of course it's essential you learn about new jobs by word of mouth... if you're looking for work
107
3587and if you're looking for education well you find out about courses that you can take to improve
3588your employment prospects and as for social and cultural things if you're in touch with well you
3589learn about activites to do with the community ummm short term and long term that are available
3590like restaurants or clubs different places to do with our community, right?
3591I: Que es su opinion sobre los colombianos que deciden rechasar o no incluirs dentro de la
3592comunidad?
3593I: What do you think of those Colombians who decide to reject the community or don't include
3594themselves?
3595O: Bueno mi opinion acerca a la genete que decide no envolucrase dentro de la comunidad- cada
3596quien tiene sus reazones para no hacerlo y cada quien tiene sus razones para hacerlo... errm la gente
3597que no lo hace pues como ya dije tiene su razones y cada quien decide porque lo hace o es decir
3598debe haber un motivo. Ahora mi opinion sobre esa gente pues ... la verde es que cada quien hace lo
3599que le convenga y si ellos deciden tomar esa decision yo la respeto.
3600O: Well in my opinion people who decide not to include themselves in the community everyones
3601got their reasons for doing that..ummm people who don't get involved well I'd say they've got their
3602reasons and that's up to them and everyone has to decide to do it. So my opinon is that these
3603people...well the truth is that everyone's got a reason for not getting involved and you have to
3604respect those who decide not to.
3605I: Creers que alguen que tenga un contacto mas frecuente con la comunidad va a tener mejores
3606opportunidades de empleo o alguien que frecuenta eventos o entidades de ayuda?
3607I: Do you think that someone who has more frequent contact with the community, or goes to events
3608frequently or finds help will have better employment prospects?
3609O: Claro porque kes una ventaja estar en contacto con la comunidad porque urrm el aislarse uno por
3610experencia propia se que no trae nada positivo - al contrario - si uno se aisla es como uno estar
3611totalmente solo en este pas - si uno esta en contacto con la comunidad y tiene y crea un circulo de
3612amigos detro de la comunidad y mantiene un conocimiento acerca de todo lo que sucede alrededor
3613de la comunidad pues err, logicamenta el trabajito y oportunidades no solamenta de trabajos sino de
3614diferentes actividades que uno quiera desarollar se ven... pues uno puede llegar a realisarlas por la
3615ayuda de uno o del otro - aa el uno le informa el otro lo gua entonces hay unos mas enterados de las
3616cosas y poco a poco uno se va ayuda- y es realmente la forma en que se le hace mas facil conseguir
3617los trabajos y cualquier otra actividad dentro de la comunidad
3618O: Of course becuase being in touch with the community is an advantage because isolating yourself
3619doesn't help at all the opposite if you isolate yourself it's like being on your own in this country
3620 if you're in touch with the community and you've got a group of friends within the community
3621tapped into everything that's going on in the community well ummm, logically you'll find out about
3622work and not just work opportunities bit other activities that you might be interested in too...well
3623you can achieve that by helping each other someone informs someone else and guides them so
3624there are some people who know more and they help the others little by little and that's really how
3625it makes finding a job or any other activity easier within the community.
3626I: Que impacto ve utd que tiene la emigracion sobre las familias y los individuos que emigran a este
3627pas?
3628I: What impact do you think that immigration has on families and individuals?
3629O: Pues la verdad es que el impacto es grande porque... a nivel familiar, no - porque de todas
3630maneras mucha gente se ve separada de miembros de la familia cuando alla es un group, un nucleo
3631familiar y no todo mundo pueda viajar al mismo tiempo y para todos no hay dinero para las vueltas
3632entonces muchos miembros de la familia se quedan entonces unos se quedan por poquito tiempo,
3633otros por mucho tiempo y algunos por siempre, osea se da uno... se dana el nucleo familiar y
3634logicamente el impacto es grande.
108
3635O: Well honestly it's a big impact because...at the familiy level, lots of people are seperated from
3636members of their familiy, their nuclear familiy and not everyone can travel at the same time and
3637there's not money for everyone to take trips so many members of the familiy stay so some stay for a
3638little while, others for a long time and some forever, so it hurts...it danages the nuclear family and
3639logically has a big impact.
3640I: Como describriria la situacin de empleo para los emigrantes viniendosen para londres, como lo
3641ven?
3642I: How would you describe the employment situation for immigrants coming to London, what's your
3643opinion?
3644O: En este momento el empleo esta supremamente deficil, muy competido, especialmente a nivel
3645del... yo pienso que el empleo esta - la oferta de empleo esta bastante corta a todo los niveles
3646especialmente para los trabajos que hacemos hay mucha competencia, mucha mano de obra en
3647oferta y es supremamente deficil conseguir los trabajos y se le paga a uno menos, las condiciones
3648son malas y como hay tanta gente que esta llegando de polonia, de europa del este, oriental entonces
3649eso ha intervertado la mano de obra y los trabajos son mucho menos entonces si hay problemas para
3650conseguir empleo.
3651O: At the moment work is really difficult, very competitive, especially at this level...I think that
3652there's few offers of work at cerrtain levels, there's lots of competition for the work that we do, lots
3653of people looking for work and it's really hard to get anything and they don't pay well, the
3654conditions are bad and because there's so many people coming from Poland and Eastern and
3655Western Europe so there's an influx of labour and there's less work so yes there are problems
3656getting a job.
3657I: Utd considera que el ingles ayuda desarollar las oportunidades de empleo en este pais?
3658I: Do you think that English helps with employment opportunities in this country?
3659O: Claro si utd habla la lengua que aqui se habla pues logicamente la comunicacion va a ser mucho
3660mas facil y la posibilidad de buscar uno empleo es porsupuesto mucho mas facil. Una persona que
3661no habla ingles, no le van a intender ni siquiera cuando vaya a buscar el trabajo... entonces cuando
3662van y piden trabajo y no lo entienden pues mucho menos cuando lo van a tener para tener
3663problemas en el trabajo cuando le manden a hacer uno cosa y no entienden.
3664O: Yes if you speak the language that they speak here well it's obvious communication and it's
3665going to be easier and the possibility of finding a job is made much easier. Someone who doesn't
3666speak English won't even understand when they're looking for work so when they go and ask for a
3667job and they don't understand anything they're going to have problems at work when they ask them
3668to do something and they don't understand.
3669I: Y dentro del trajabo?
3670I: And at work?
3671O: Y dentro el trabajo es importante si, porque de todas maneras para las instrucciones y todo lo
3672que lo manden a hacer es necesario entender para poder entender lo que le toca a uno hacer.
3673O: And at work it's important yes, for instructions and it's necessary to understand commands to be
3674able to know what you have to do.
3675I: Que obstaculos se le han presentado al trabajar en este pas?
3676I: What obstacles have you come across in work in this country?
3677O: Obstaculos... pues muchos, primero que todo el idioma, segundo que todo la dificultad de
3678trabajar sin papeles y por ende pues como sabian que uno no tenia papeles las explotacin del
3679empleador - el dueno de los trabajos de las limpiezas y restaurantes - entonces claro son muchos
3680obstaculos y por encima eso errm las condiciones de vivienda, la caristia de la vivienda, los costos
3681de vida son muy altos - erm que mas - ahh y tambien si el estrez de trabajar en un pais de estos le
3682queda uno stress y hay siempre uno que otro entredicho con gente de otros paises y hay peleas y hay
109
3683argumentos con otras gentes entonces si siempre hay muchos problemas.

3684O: Obstacles..well lots, first of all the language, second the difficulty of working without papers
3685and when they find out that you haven't got papers the employers exploit you the boss of the
3686cleaning and restaurant jobs so of course there are lots of obstacles and on top of everything the
3687living conditions, the high cost of living umm what else err and also if the work is stressfull and
3688you're always talking to people from other countries and there are fights and arguments with other
3689people so there's always lots of problems.
3690I: Utd ha llegado a trabajar con colombianos de segunda generacin - es decir los hijos de los
3691migrantes colombianos?
3692I: Have you worked with second generation Colombians - meaning children of Colombian
3693immigrants?
3694O: Claro, si pero muy poco.
3695O: Yes but very little.
3696I: Y que opina de ellos, utd como los ve?
3697I: And what do you think of them, what are they like?
3698O: En cuestin de origien pues logicamente los categorizo como colombianos, nunca para mi son
3699diferentes - la forma en que ellos son pues logicamente son totalmente diferentes a nosotros... bueno
3700no totalmente diferentes pero sige una gran diferencia entre nosotros que nacimos y nos criamos
3701all y ellos que han nacido aqu o los han traido aqu jovenes or pequenos porque el contacto con
3702nos otros con la comunidad alla es muy normal y natural mientras que aqui tiene la influencia de la
3703juventud, la juventud inglesa y toman unas formas de esta cultura que nada tienen que con la
3704nuestra y en ese sentido si son diferentes - la forma de hablar es muy particular y facil de identificar
3705- la forma de pensar es parte la nuestra pero si vamos a analyzarla y comparala con un muchacho
3706que esta all pues es totalmente diferente, tiene unos conceptos diferentes a kla gente que viene o
3707esta alla.
3708O: Well when it comes to origin of course theyre Colombians, theyre never different for me but
3709theyre way of being is naturally different to us well not completley different but theres a big
3710difference between those of us who were born and grew up there and those who have born here or
3711who came here young becuase there theyre in contact with us with the community which is very
3712normal while here theyre influenced by young people, by English young people and they take on
3713habits from this culture that have nothing to do with ours and in this sense theyre different their
3714way of speaking is very different and easy to identify - their way of thinking is similar to ours but if
3715you analyse it and compare it with a lot of whats here well its completely different, theyve got
3716some concepts which are different to people who come from back there.
3717I: Crees que como resultado de la educacion y la socializacion con diferentes groupos ha hecho que
3718los jovenes colombianos hallan formado una nueva identidad?
3719I: Do you think that young Colombians have formed a new identity becuase of their education and
3720their socialisation with different groups?
3721O: Yo creo que si, la idiosyncrasia colombiana es muy particular y en muchos casos nada tiene que
3722ver con la idiosyncrasia que los muchachos aqui presentan - claro que el contacto con diferente
3723genetes y con otras culturas hacen que la persona vaya modificando la persepcion del mundo y lo
3724vean de otra forma que la que nosotros vemos y la forma incluso de hablar, la forma de pensar pues
3725se va modificando - este es un pais con una forma muy diferente a lo nuestra entonces pues logico 3726los muchachos adoptan ese sistema que no tiene nada que ver con lo nuestro no?
3727O: I think that they have, Colombian idiosyncracies are very particular and in many cases their
3728completly different to the idiosyncracies that people have here of course contact with other people
3729and with other cultures means that a person changes their view of the world and they see it in a
3730different way to us and that includes how they speak, how they think this is a country with very
110
3731different habits to ours so its logic the kids adopt this sistem which is completely different to ours,
3732right?
3733I: Crees que estos jovenes tratan de preservar la cultura, los valores y la las crejencias de sus papas?
3734I: Do you think that these young people try to preserve the culture, the values and the beliefs of
3735their parents?
3736O: Yo pienso que muchos tratan de imitar y en el fondo lo hacen porque se sienten colombianos y
3737entonces tratan de comportarsen lo mismo que los papas y tratan de imitar la gente... la gente
3738nuestra, no? Pero ese comportamiento es solamente ocasional y en determinados momentos... es
3739especialmente en reuniones de familia, en sitios en donde estamos todos los colombianos
3740reunidos con colombianos - como que se va - la persona se va compenetrando con el groupo que
3741esta reunid entonces empiezan a presentar el comportamiento colombiano - pero es solamente como
3742digo - es ocassional pero una vez que se disentregan del groupo familiar que estamos entonces
3743empiezan a comportazen de una forma conciente como se comportarian aqui delante de los amigos
3744con esa actitud.
3745O: I think that many try to and it works a bit because they do feel Colombian and so the try to act
3746the same as their parents and to imitate peopleto imitate people, right? But this behaviour is just
3747on the odd occasion and at specific timesespecially at familiy gatherings, in places where
3748everyones Colombian so that they - the person thats with the group begins to act like a
3749Colombian but its just like I said its just the odd time to fit in with the family group and they
3750start consciously acting like they do here with their friends.
3751I: Cree que existe rozes o tension entre diferentes la generationes de Colombianos conviviendo y
3752trabajando en este pais sea los papas o companeros de trabajos?
3753I: Do you think that theres any tension between different generations of Colombian living and
3754working in this country with their parents and work mates?
3755O: claro... las tensiones que se puedan presentar es por cuestiones culturales... el papa por ejemplo o
3756la gente que viene de colombia ya con una cultura y unas ideas muy nuestras,pues rechaza una u
3757otra forma... la idea de que colombianos hacian nacido aqui pero sabemos que son colombianos
3758tomen... una cultura que es totalmente ahena a la nuestra - entonces en ese sentido se presentan
3759rozes y se presentan... ehh como contratiempos entre la gente y criticas y desaseptacion de de esos
3760comportanmientos, todos quisieramos ser los mismo y los muchachos de nosotros quisieramos que
3761fueran igual que nosotros - que presentaran las mismas caracteristicas de cualquier muchacho de
3762alla... lo que pasa aveces es que uno por ignorancia sera no intiende que eso no puede ser porque
3763estan sometidos a la influencia constante de esta cultura entonces eso modifica el comportamiento
3764del individuo, pero ese es mas o menos el tipo de rozes que se presentan.
3765O: Of course the tensions that arise are due to cultural issues the dad for example or the
3766person who comes from Colombia has one culture and particular thoughts, well they reject one or
3767another way they accept the idea that Colombians are born here but are still Colombian a
3768culture that is completly different to ours so they act likeumm like against change and critical
3769and distrustful of this behaviour, we all want to be the same and our kids wish they were the same
3770as us that they had the same characteristics as us, as whatever kid from therebut what happens
3771is that becuase of ignorance they dont realise that that cant happen becuase theyre so enveloped
3772by the influence of this culture, it changes the behaviour of each individual, and thats the kind of
3773differences that I see.
3774I: Cree que los jovenes colombianos tienen una ideologia diferente de lo que es el castellano o
3775espanol y utd cree que lo untilizan diferente o lo entienden diferente a ustd?
3776I: Do you think that young Colombians have a different ideology to Castillian or Spanish and fo
3777you think that they use it differently or understand it differently to you?
3778O: Claro... claro por que nosotros tenemos una forma de hablar muy particular, muy nuestra... y... y
111
3779de la forma en que nosotros lo usamos tambien es muy particular y muy nuestra... y... de la forma en
3780que el nacido aqui o el criado aqui lo utiliza es muy basica - nosotros manejamos una cantidad de
3781conceptos no convencionales dentro del idioma que un gran porcentaje de nuestra vida diaria
3782untilizamos... y son son palabras recortadas, son palabras ehhh senales, gestos, gesticulaciones que
3783los muchachos alla la entienden en segundos, en decimas de segundos, y aqui hay que explicarles
3784media hora que es lo que quieriamos decir... entonces la forma en que nosotros nos coomunicamos
3785alla y la forma en que nos comunicamos aqui es totalmente diferente... es menos flexible es menos
3786relajante, menos relajada la forma que utiliza uno para comunicarse con un muchacho de estos. Alla
3787la comunicacion fluje mas, es mas rapido, mas flujente... El muchacho le entiende uno cualquier
3788gesto, cualquier gesticulacion, cualquier senale o movimiento de los ombros, de las manos, de los
3789dedos, del pie, alla todo el mundo esta pendiente de eso... osea el idioma de nosotros es...es en un
3790gran porcentaje ehh de tipo corporal...ehh en el resto con palabras eso no lo podemos hacer aqui,
3791aqui tenemos que ehh ser claros y especificar lo que quieremos, la idea que quieremos transmitir de
3792lo contrario no los entienden.
3793O: Of course of course becuase we speak in a very particular way..andthey way we use it is
3794very particular tooand the way someone born here or brought up here uses it is very basic we
3795use a larget amount of concepts and habits in our everyday language..and their shortened words,
3796words umm signs, gestures that kids over there understand straight away and here you have to
3797spend half an hour explaining what you mean to sayso the way that we communicate there and
3798the way in which we communicate is completly differentits less flexible, less relaxed, teh way you
3799speak to one of these kids is less relaxed. Over there communication is more fluid, its quicker, mor
3800fluentGuys there understand every gesture, every sign or shrug of the shoulders, movement of the
3801hands, of the fingers, the feet, over there everyone gets itso the language is ours its..its largely
3802body language..ummm and the rest are words that we cant use here, here we have to be cler and
3803specify
3804 what we want, so that they understand.
3805I: Cuando utd se comunica con un joven Colombiano en que idioma hablas?
3806I: What language do you use when you speak to a young Colombian?
3807O: Me toca comunicarme en espanol... porque imagenes a un colombiano hablandole a otro en
3808Ingles... no lo sentimos bien.
3809O: I speak in Spanish..becuase imagine speaking to a Colombian in Englishit wouldnt feel right.
3810I: Utd cree que los jovenes entienden los gestos... dices que no entienden los gestos y que el idioma,
3811el espanol Colombiano es muy corporal - cree que los Colombianos jovenes de aqui entiende el
3812dialecto Colombiano bien o no?
3813I: Do you think that young people understand gesturesyou say that they dont understand and the
3814language, Colombian Spanish uses a lot of body language do you think that young Colombians
3815from here understand the Colombian dialect well or not?
3816O: No...eso era el problema, que los de aqui no alcansan a desarollar esa abilidad por el poco
3817contacto que tiene con el espanol, castellano en la calle por ejemplo, porque eso lo transmitimos por
3818generacion a generacion y los muchachos hacen su comunicaciones en la calle entre ellos lo
3819practican y lo aprenden y lo manejan, mientras que aqui el muchacho aprende el idioma de uno
3820mientras esta en la casa pero uno vez empieza a estudiar no alcanza a desarollar la abilidad que
3821tiene nosotros en ese tipo de comunicacion, que es gesticulo lo que sea... muchas gesticulaciones,
3822mucha sena, muchos movimientos corporales, eso no lo alcanzan a desarollar aqui los muchachos
3823porque no tiene forma de desarollarla en la calle, porque en la calle van a dessarollar otro idioma
3824que es el ingles, entonces en el idioma ingles eso no lo hacen y no de la forma que nosotros lo
3825hacemos.
3826O:No..that was the problem, that those from here dont develop this ability because they have little
112
3827contact with Spanish, Spanish from the street for example, becuase thats what we pass down from
3828generation to generation and the kids talk it in the street between them, and they practice and they
3829learn, wheras here kids learn the language while theyre at home but once they start school they
3830dont develop the ability that we have for this kind of communication, body language or whatever
3831lots of gestures, lots of signs, lots of body movements kids here dont develop them becuase they
3832dont have a way to practice in the street, becuase in the street they learn to develop another
3833langauge thats English, and so in English they dont do this and not in the way that we do.
3834I: Cree que existe conflicto o tencion entre los jovenes colombianos que utilizan el ingles frente de
3835colombiano que no sepa ingles... y espera que eso joven quisa hable en espanol?
3836I: Do you think that theres conflict or tension between young Colombians who use English in fron t
3837of Colombians who dont speak Englishand are hoping that this youg person will maybe speak in
3838English?
3839O: Claro... claro hay mismo uno... uno pues por que yo no me mento alli... mucha gente si llega a
3840pensar que es que el muchacho esta fantochando... que esta mostrandole a la persona que no sabe
3841hablar ingles y que el habla ingles y que a lo mejor lo esta sintiendo sentir que el no es ingles osea
3842esta practicamente haciendose pasar por ingles, aunque uno sabe que es colombiano osea que el
3843colombiano que no hable en ingles y que otro colombiano le hable en ingles... pues teniendo una
3844conversacion pues con otro lo esta escluyendo de la conversacion, lo esta ignorando entonces uno lo
3845toma practicamente como un insulto.
3846O: Of course,,,of course there is youyou well I dont go therelots of people think that the kid is
3847being cheekythat theyre showing off to the person who doesnt speak English and making them
3848feel that theyre not English, theyre basically excluding them by using English, even though they
3849know that theyre Colombian or a Colombian who doesnt speak English and for the other
3850Colombian to speak to them in Englishwell having a conversation in which someone is excluded
3851form the conversation, theyre ignoring them, well you take it as an insult really.
3852I: Su identidad como latinoamericano o colombiano ha cambiado como resultado de la emigracion a
3853este pais?
3854I: Has your identity as a Latin American or a Colombian chaged as a reult of emigrating to this
3855country?
3856O: Yo pienso particularmente en mi caso no...ahora...a lo mejor mucha gente si ehh llega a un
3857terminado momento depues de vivir tantos anos a sentirse ingles... en mi caso no... yo pienso que...
3858yo soy lo que soy y colombiano sere hasta que me muera.
3859O: I think that in my case in particular nonow..for many people there comes a time after being
3860here for so many years that they feel Englishnot in my case.. I think that I am what I am and
3861Colombian until I die.
3862I: Entonces crees que nada ha cambiado pues?
3863I So do you think that nothing has changed?
3864O: Pues hasta donde you sepa no, pero hasta soy conciente pienso que no, mi idioma es normal...
3865ehh... lo que si es que el lexico de uno se va cortando por la falta de uso por que generalmente aqui
3866uno no tiene conversaciones interesantes con nadie ehh... no tiene un contacto intelectual con
3867mucha gente entonces logicamente el idioma se le va dormitando y...y ya el idioma espanol que
3868empieza a untilizar y manejar es un idioma de espanol muy basico, pero es presisamente por la falta
3869de uso del mismo idioma, no?
3870O: Well not as far as I know and as far as Im aware my language is normalumm.. what does
3871happen it that your vocabularly becomes smaller becuase you dont use it so much here you dont
3872have interesting conversations with anyone umm.. you dont have intellectual contact with many
3873people so of course the language becomes dormant and..and now the Spanish that Im starting to
3874use is very basic Spanish, but thats precisely because of lack of use, right?
113
3875I: Como de importante es mantener su idioma y el dialecto colombiano para su identidad?

3876I: How important is keeping up your language and Colombian dialect for your identity?
3877O: Si, pues es parte de mi cultura... es la forma en que yo lo utilizo y lo hablo me acuerda de donde
3878vengo, de la region de donde vengo, del pais de donde vengo, de la gente de la cual vengo, entonces
3879si es una parte muy importante ....de lo que es mi cultura.
3880O: Yes, well its part of my culturespeaking like that reminds me of where I come from, of the area
3881I come from, of the country I come from, of the people from where I come from, so yes it is a very
3882important partof my culture.
3883I: En general que idioma untiliza mas?
3884I: What language do you use most in general?
3885O: En general yo pienso que mantengo....... mantengo afuera casi todo el dia y entonceas en el caso
3886mio yo pienso un porcentaje de un 40% ingles...por que? Pues porque mentengo muchas horas
3887afuera y ... entonces podria yo decir que un 40%... y aunque permanesco un poco en la casa pero
3888caundo vengo me dessaogo y entonces hablo.. hablo hasta por las orejas... entonces yo creo que ese
388960% de espanol qe untilizo en el dia lo utilizo muy poco tiempo pero lo utilizo en la casa... aqui me
3890dessaogo.
3891O: I think that in general I spendI spend all day out of the house and so I think that in my case
389240% is Englishwhy? Well, because Im out a lot of the time and so I can say 40%..and although
3893Im only at home a little bit when I get home I relax and I talkI talk nonstopso I think that thsi
389460% of Spanish that I speak in a day I use in a very short amount of time but I use it at home..thats
3895where I relax.
3896I: Utd cree que existe una diferencia entre los colombianos que viven en colombia y los que viven
3897aqui.... en terminos de los valores, cultura, atitud asea el idioma, cree que hay una diferencia?
3898I: Do you think that theres a difference between Colombians who live in Colombia and those who
3899live here in terms of values, culture, attitude towards the language, do you think that theres a
3900language?
3901O: La gente que esta alla pues el idioma es una cuestion natural... entonces la gente no... no le da la
3902importancia que se le merese, pues porque no se encuentra in dificultades de comunicarse, por lo
3903tanto no nota, ehh la importancia que tiene el idioma para el. Hora cuando uno viene por aqui...
3904pues logicamente el idioma se vuelve un elemento de mucha importancia, y es cuando uno empieza
3905a manejar eh... ese concepto de idioma, de una forma mas... detallada no... aqui es cuando uno se da
3906cuente de que uno habla una lengua y que se interpreta a otro diferente por medio de la cual uno va
3907a tener que sobrevivir y que se ve uno en la dificultad de que no la habla. Pero al mismo tiempo
3908cuando utd ya esta aqui por cierto tiempo ya se da cuenta la importancia que tiene la lengua nativa,
3909la lengua que manejamos de alla en nuestro pais... y se da mas importancia que cuando uno esta
3910alla.
3911O: For people who are over there its naturalso people dontdont realise how important it is to
3912immerse yourself, well because they dont have any problem communicating,you can see, umm the
3913importance of language for them. Now when you come herewell naturally langauge more
3914important and when you begin to understandthis concept of language in a more..more detailed
3915mannerthats when you realice that you speak one language and interpret another one differently
3916in they way that you have to to survive and you see the problems youll have if you dont speak it.
3917But at the same tim ewhen youve been here for a while you realise how important your native
3918langauge is, the language we use in our countryand its more important when youre there.
3919I: Como se siente utilizando el ingles comparado a sus lengua nativa?
3920I: How do you feel using English compared to your native langauge?
3921O: Cuando uno esta aqui... viene de colombia y asi utd hable ingles de todas maneras no siente esa
3922libertad... no siente esa misma seguridad por que a la llarga no es el idioma de uno y a lo mejor la
114
3923pronunciacion de uno nunca es la mejor, nuca va hacer la corecta, los terminos que usa uno a lo
3924mejor no son los apropriados para el momento y entonces pues se... se excime uno de aveces hacer
3925cosas por el temor de iquivocarse y el temor al pasar uno pena...de que esta deciendo una cosa y
3926entiendan otra... entonces si se siente un poquito coeivido.
3927O: When youre hereyou come from Colombian and you speak English all the time you dont feel
3928free..you dont feel the same security because at the end of the day itt not your own langauge and
3929your pronunciation is probably not the best, youre never going to correct it, the terms you use
3930arent right for the situation and so well sometimes you dont do things becuase youre afraid
3931youll get it wrong and that fear becomes shamethat youre saying one thing and understanding
3932anotherso you feel a bit jealous.
3933I: Cree que lo jovenes colombianos en esta pais han desarollado una identidad diferente a la de sus
3934papas emigrantes?
3935I: Do you think that young Colombians in this country have developed a different identity to their
3936migrant parents?
3937O: Diferente si es... ahora que sea inglesa, eso esta por verse por que realmente la identidad que
3938adopta el muchacho colombiano aqui es una identidad que no es ni colombiana y ni es inglesa. Es
3939una copia de lo que persiven en la calle con los amigos que en muchos casos son emigrantes
3940tambien y que tambien estan viviendo una confusion cultural y entonces ehhh hacen cosas y se
3941expresan de formas diferentes que como dije, no tiene nada que ver con colombiano o con ingleses.
3942Es una cultura muy ligada a lo que hoy en dia es la musica, la moda, y los heroes de la peliculas y
3943es decir es una cultura que no tiene absolutamente nada que ver con... ni con la cultura colombiana
3944ni la inglesa. Es una confusion de comportamientos que muchas veces son comportamientos anti3945sociales.
3946O: Yes its different ..now that theyre English, thats because the identity that really adopts a
3947Colobian kid here isnt the Colombian identity and its not English. Its a copy of what they see in
3948the street with their friends and a lot of the time their immigrants too and they might be living with
3949cultural confusion and so umm they do things and express things differently to how I do, its not do
3950with being Colombian or English. Ita very fluid culture thats influenced by music, fashion, film
3951heroes and its a culture that has absolutely nothing to do with ..not with Colombian culture or
3952English. Its a mix fof behaviours that a lot of the time is anti-social behaviour.
3953I: En que formas cree que utd se relaciona a la comuniadad latina en londres?
3954I: How do you think you relate to the Latino community in London?
3955O: La verda es que tenemos una misma procedencia... por lo tanto en ese sentido me siento muy
3956ligado a la comunidad... me siento muy conpenetrado con la comunidad.... y es a cuanto a que soy
3957ermm latinoamerican. Por el otro lado siento que vivimos la misma problematica y eso es como
3958para todo nosotros entonces en ese sentido tambien me siento muy ligado y en parte de la
3959comunidad. Todos venimos a trabajar, todos venimos con los mismos problemas, todos tenemos
3960pais que presentan problemas sociales mas o menos de la misma indole, unos con mas que otros
3961pero ehhh es decir en general ......todos tenemos las misma problematica en nuestros paises... pais
3962llenos de problemas sociales, ehh hemos llegado al punto de emigrar por esos mismos problemas
3963por lo tanto pues estamos viviendo la misma trajedia, entonces eso nos hace comunes... los unos y
3964con los otros y me identifico con la communidad por que vivimos esa misma trajedia que es lo que
3965une a todos.
3966O: The truth is that we have a way of doing thingsas much as I feel seperate from the community..
3967I feel included in the community.. and thats becuase Im umm Lain American. On the other hand I
3968feel that theres a problem and that for all us in a way we feel very seperate and part of the
3969community at the same time. We all go to work, we all have the same problems, we all have the
3970same social problems more or less, some more but generally speakingwe all have the same
115
3971problems in our countriescountries full of social problems, umm we reached the point of leaving
3972becuae of those problems and thats why were living this tragedy, so we ahve that in commonI
3973identify others with the community becuae were living the same tragedy that links everyone.
3974I: Para ser parte de la comunidad cree que con solo ser colombiano uno es parte de la comunidad o
3975cree que uno tiene que aportar algo a la comunidad... ser activo, ir a los sitios, eventos por ejemplo?
3976I: Do you think that simply being Colombian is enough to make you part of the community or do
3977you think that you have to contribute something to the community, be active, go to places, event for
3978example?
3979O: Yo pienso que el solo hecho de nosotros perteneser a la misma raza nos hace parte de
3980comunidad, idependiente si nosotros asistimos o no asistimos a las diferentes actividades que se
3981desarollan dentro de la comunidad... Logicamente lo ideal seria que, como parte de la comunidad...
3982pues participar, si fueramos mas participativos en.... en todos lo problemas a los que nos venimos y
3983a los que nos infrentamos aqui cuando nos venimos, pero si no hay necesidad de uno participar en
3984nada para ser parte de la comunidad porque la comunidad es.... ehhh e decir la miembresia de esta
3985comunidad no la dan a uno por participacion sino por derecho propio. Del hecho de ser proveniente
3986a esa raza lo hace miembros ya.
3987O: I think that just being from the same race makes us part of a community, independent of whether
3988we help with different activities that are happening within the communityObviously the ideal
3989would be thtaas part of the communitywell, get involved, if we were more involved inin all
3990the problems that we get and that were faced with here, but yes you dont have to take part to be
3991part of the community because the commuity is..ummm..thats to say membership of this community
3992isnt granted on participation but on individual right. Being from this race makes you a member
3993already.
3994I: Cree que existe una comunidad de trabajo para latinos o colombianos en londres haca de amigos
3995o conocidos?
3996I:Do you think that there is a work community in London for Latinos or Colombians through
3997friends or acquaintainces?
3998O: Por ahi hay intentos de groupos que completan esa funcion... de conectar a la gente con empleo y
3999otras actividades pero desafortunadamente no es... no son grupos que... que incluyan mucho o
4000penetran mucho a la comunidad es decir... son grupos que se crean y estan ahi pero no son muy
4001representativos por que la comunidad los desconose totalmente. Entonces son groupos que llegan a
4002ciertas groupos de gente pero no a toda la comunidad. Ahora si hay gente que trata de organisar ehh
4003cuestiones de trabajo para ayudar a la gente pero habemos mucha gente aqui y los groupos no llegan
4004a la gente, falta mas contacto de esos groupos a la gente
4005O: There are groups that try to do thisto set people up with jobs and other activities but
4006unfortunately theyre notthe groups arentinculding many or penetrating a lot of the
4007communityI mean there are groups formed and they are here but theyre not very representative
4008because the community doesnt know anything about them. So thery are groups that reach some
4009people but not the whole community. There are peopel who try to oraganise work questions to help
4010people but lots of people go and the groups dont get through to the people, we need more contact
4011with groups like these.
4012I: Que considera que es una forma mas efectiva para llegar a la gente?
4013I: What do you think is the best way to get through to people?
4014O: La forma mas efectiva para llegar a la gente... y siempre lo he dicho aqui...es por una emisora
4015latinoamericana permanente, puesto que la forma en que nosotros vivimos aqui no se acomoda a
4016ciertas acitvidades que se acomodan los grupos existentes porque la gente trabaja muchos de
4017domingo a domingo, muchos de lunes a sabado y el poquito tiempo que le queda pues quieren
4018decansar, los otros quieren lavar su ropa o ir a ser su mercado entonces no les queda tiempo de ir a
116
4019esas reuniones de grupos.

4020O: The best way to get through to people is and Ive always said itis a permenant Latin
4021American spokesperson, in a way that accomodates certain activities and exisitng groups because
4022lots of people work from Sunday to Sunday, many from Monday to Saturday and the want to rest in
4023the little time that they have left, other want to do laundry or go shopping so they dont have time to
4024go to these group meetings.
4025I: Cree que para mejorar las oportunidades de trabajos una tiene que tener una cadena de amigos,
4026conocidos y apoyo dentro de estas comunidades latinoamericanas/colombianas de trabajo?
4027I: Do you think that in order to improve employment opportunitues you need a chain of friends,
4028acquaintainces andsupport within Latin American and Colombian working communities?
4029O: Yo pienso que si uno tiene un grupo de amigos y uno no tiene trabajo, si alguno de esos amigos o
4030esa cadena de amigos que tenga sabe de algun trabajito, entonces lo hace saber a uno y le manda la
4031direccion o lo lleva al sitio donde esta el trabajo... y logico el hecho de uno ser latino y si ese groupo
4032es de latino entonces logicamente le dan mas chance de.... de que el trabajito lo coja uno por que
4033ellos no se lo van a dar a un africano o a se lo van a dar a un chino... al primero que llaman es a un
4034amigo colombiano... alguen que lo coja.
4035O: I think that if youve got a group of friends and you dont have a job that if one of your friends or
4036this chain of friends hears of a job thats going, theyll tell you and tell you where to go or take you
4037to the workplace and of course being Latino and part of this group of Latinos makes it more
4038likelymore likely that youll get work because theyre not going to give it an African or a
4039Chinesefirst theyll call a Colombian friendssomeone they know.
4040I: A utd le han ofrecido trabajo por este medio?
4041I: Have you ever been offered a job in this way?
4042O: Claro..claro... por eso decia antediormente... el uno vincularse a la comunidad es muy importante
4043por que de una o otra forma entre mas contacto tenga con la comunidad, mas oportunidades tiene
4044uno o mas facilidad tiene uno por ese medio de.... una cantidad de gente en la comunidad se
4045consigue un trabajito, si uno se aisla, el dia que uno se queda sin trabajo esta solo... aislado y nadie
4046le va a decirle a utd, "aqui hay un trabajo", pero si utd esta en grupo cualquiera de tantos le dice a
4047utd que "aqui hay un trabajo", entonces eso es muy importante.
4048O: Of course.. of course.. but in the pastits important to get close to the community because one
4049way or another with more contact with the community you get more opportunities and its easier to
4050use this facility.a lot of people in the community get work, if you isolate yourself, the day youre
4051left without work youre on your ownisolated and noones going to say to you theres a job
4052here, but if youre in a group whichever one of them will tell you that theres a job here, so its
4053very important.
4054I: Utd acaba de decir que si uno se aisla de la comunidad es mas deficil encontrar trabajo... que
4055opina de genete que se aislan de la comunidad? Utd cree que ellos cambian en su forma de pensar,
4056sus valores, su cultura?
4057I: You say that if someone isolates themself from the community its very hard to find workwhat
4058do you think fo people who isolate themselves from the community? Do you think that they change
4059their way of thinking, their values, their culture?
4060O: Bueno, como decia antediormente, hay gente que una vez que estan aqui y llevan algun tiempo
4061ya se cren ingleses, entonces ya le da peresa que el amigo ingles lo oiga hablar en espanol, porque
4062solo habla es ingles, y hasta le da pene que sepan que es colombiano por que pues el colombiano
4063tiene una mala fama de todo mundo de narcotraficante y de todo esas cosas, entonces muchos les da
4064pena hablar en el idioma uno entonces hablan en ingles. Entonces esta gente empieza a llevar un
4065comportamiento muy copiado o mal copiado de los ingleses. Empiezan a comportarsen como los
4066ingleses, a ir a restaurantes como los ingleses, van al teatro como los ingleses, las amistades son
117
4067inglesas, no se rozan no se mesclan con colombianos entonces van creando como una identidad
4068diferente... se van como culturisando en una sociedad totalmente diferente. Y hay otros que asi
4069lleven cincuenta anos aqui siguen siendo los mismos de siempre, no cambian el hablado ni cinco
4070centados, las comidas son preferidad igual a los que trajimos de alla... osea que hay de todo. Hay
4071gente que salen con unas bobadas y hay otros que siguen en lo mismo, nunca cambian son la misma
4072gente.
4073O: Well, as I said before, there are people who once theyre here and theyve been here for a while
4074they think theyre English, so they dont want their English friend to hear them speaking in Spanish,
4075because they only speak English and they are ashamed to show that they are Colombian, well
4076because Colombians have a bad reputation throughout the world as drug dealers and stuff, so many
4077are ashamed of speaking their language so they speak in English...they start to act like the English,
4078going to restaurants like the English, they go to the theatre like the English, their friends are
4079English, they don't mix with Colombians so they go on to form a different identity... they start
4080enculturating themselves in a new society. And there are others who have been here for fifty years,
4081doingthe same things as always, they havent the way the speak at all, their food is exactly like wht
4082we brought over from homeeverything. There are people who copy it all and others who stay the
4083same, they never change, theyre the same people.
4084I: utd cree que la gente que se aisla lo hacen con el fin de buscar nuevas opportunidades o aprender
4085otras cosas?
4086I: Do you think that people isolate themselves in order to look for new opportunities or to learn
4087other things?
4088O: Yo pienso que no es tanto eso por que para uno progresar en la vida no tiene que abandonar lo
4089que uno es. Yo pienso que eso es un trabajo doble porque el aprender a comportarse como alguien
4090que no es y enseguida de eso buscar un projecto en la vida diferente de salir adelante, osea doble
4091trabajo. Si yo me comporto como soy y no trabajo en cambiarme yo mismo sino empiezo a trabajar
4092en mi projecto de llegar a una meta pues estoy haciendo solamente un trabajo. Es simplemente a
4093ignorancia de la gente que porque estamos en el extranjero ehhh ya de nosotros no vale nada.
4094Entonces eso es parte de la ignorancia de la gente, eso es parte de la gente que no tiene cultura, la
4095gente que no ama cultura nuestra, la gente que no se quiere ni si misma y que hoy o manana no
4096tiene ni patria porque ni son de aqui... y no son de aya porque no les gusta lo de aya
4097O: I dont think its really that because you dont hae to abandon everything you are to get
4098somewhere in life. I think that thats twice the effort because learning to act like someone who
4099youre not and then after that look for a project in a different life and o forwards, its twice the
4100work. If I act like I am and I dont try to change myself I start working myself in my attempt to get
4101somehere so Im just working. Its just ignorance because were abroad errr and nothings
4102important to us anymore. So thats part of peoples ignorance, thats to do with people who arent
4103cultured, people who dont love our culture, people who dont want to be the same and today or
4104tomorrow dont have a background becuase theyre not from hereand there not from back there
4105because they dont like back there.
4106I:Utd piensa que uno se beneficia mas estando circa a la comunidad?
4107I: Do you think that its more beneficial to be close to the community?
4108O: Si claro.
4109O: Yes of course.
4110I:Cree que los colombianos que se aislan no quieren que sus hijos trabajen en lo mismo y que
4111siguen la misma vida que han vivido en este pais?
4112I: Do you think that the Colombians that isolate themselves dont want their children to do the same
4113jobs as them and follow the same path that they have in this country?
4114O: Yo pienso que... como dije antediormente, uno puede desarollar dentro la misma comunidad y
118
4115lucha por cambios en la vida pa' lo bien sin necesidad de aislarse de la comunidad. Ehh yo pienso
4116que si la gente se aisla a sus hijos para que no los acostumbren con las malas generaciones que se
4117crean aqui, hablandolo en forma concreta, de drogas y vagansia y esos... yo pienso que no hay
4118necesidad de aislarse de la comunidad, yo pienso que una buena educacion y un buen ejemplo en la
4119casa hacen que el muchacho se concientise de que ese no es el camino y hay cosas en la vida por las
4120cuales luchar para salir adelante y ser alguien en la vida.
4121O: I think that.. as I said before, you can develop within the commuity and fight for changes to
4122improve your life wothout isolating yourself from the community. I think that people isolate their
4123children so that they dont pick up bad habits from here, I mean drugs, selfishness and that I
4124think that theres no need to isolate yourself from the community, I think that a good education and
4125a good example at home makes the kid aware that thats not the only road and there are other
4126things in life that you can fight to succeed and make something of your life.
4127I: Cree que sus creyencias, atititud hacia el idioma ha cambiado desde que veniste a este pais?
4128I: Do you think that your beliefs, attitude toward the language have changed since you came to this
4129country?
4130O: El idioma que siempre he manejado es lo mismo.
4131O: The language that I use is the same.
4132I: Has visto cambios en el comportamiento cuando utilizas el espanol?
4133I: Have you noticed changes in the way you use Spanish.
4134O: Claro por eso le dije, a uno se le olvida muchas palabras... aveces coje... de emergencia coje el
4135ingles pa' como salirse del problema en ese momento cuando se le olvida la palabra en espanol
4136entonces utiliza la combinacion y le mete ingles...pero...pues si ese es un problema que se presenta,
4137con el tiempo se va perdiendo mucho lexico y aveces, no siempre pero aveces le toca a uno acudir
4138al ingles para complemetar en lo que esta hablando.
4139O: Of course thats what I said, you forget a lot of wordssometimes you useyou turn to English
4140in a community in an emergency to help with the problem when you forget a word in Spanish so you
4141mix it and ise Englishbut ..but well yes its a problem that happens, you lose the vocabularly a lot
4142over time, not always but someone you have to use English to compliment what youre saying.
4143I: Cree que si los jovenes colombianos y pues tambien la segunda generacion de migrantes les
4144ayuda tener espanol para entrar dentro de la comunidad?
4145I: Do you think that it helps young Colombians and well the second generation of immigrants too to
4146have Spanish in the community?
4147O: Claro... claro el idioma es como un puente, entre los idividuos que pertenesemos a esta
4148comunidad, es la forma en que los identificamos y cuando nos vemos sabemos que, que vamos a
4149hablar en nuestra propria lengua, y entablamos una conversacion, una amistad muy buena cuando
4150utilizamos la misma lengua. Osea que si el idioma es... el uso de idioma para los jovenes es una
4151ventaje en la comunidad.
4152O: Of course,,,of course..language is like a bridgebetween individuals who belong to the
4153community, its a way of identifying each other and when we see each other we know that were
4154going to talk in our own language and have a good conversation, a good friendship when we use
4155our language. The language is the use of language is an advantage for young people in the
4156community.
4157I: Cree que con solo saber el idioma, eso lo hace parte de la comunidad?
4158I :Do you think that speaking the language makes you part of the community?
4159O: La miembresia de esta comuidad no lo da el idioma, es el hecho de ser de la misma raza
4160latinoamericana y eso los hace miembros automaticos de la comunidad, idependientemente si
4161participamos en ella o no. Ahora que sea una persona ingles y hable espanol pues no es miembro de
4162la comunidad porque la cuestion del espanol en nosotros es una lengua nativa, nuestra lengua
119
4163paterna y la manejamos desde un principio y aparte de eso nacimos donde nacimos, mientras una
4164persona que no es ni de donde nosotros venimos y por el otro lado habla la lengua como una
4165segunda lengua no como una lengua nativa, pues eso no le da el credito de ser latinoamericano o ser
4166parte de la comunidad.
4167O: Language doesnt grant membership to this community, its being from the same Latin American
4168race that automatically makes you a member fo the community, independent of whether or not you
4169take part in it. If an English person speaks Spanish well theyre not a member of the community
4170because for us Spanish is our native language, our mother toungue and we speak it from the start
4171and apart from that were born where were born, wheras a person thats not from where were
4172from and speaks the language as a second languag not as a native tongue, well theyre not Latin
4173American or part of the community.
4174I: Si utd trata a una persona inglesa que sabe espanol, conoce algunas cosas del dialecto colombiano
4175utd que opinia de eso?
4176I: If you met an Englush person who spoke Spanish and knew a few things about the Colombian
4177dialect what would you think of that?
4178O: Me daria alegria
4179O: Id be pleased by that.
4180I: Tambien lo concideria como un miembro de la comunidad?
4181I: Would you consider them to be a member of the community?
4182O: Umm no, pero si habria un acercamiento con esa persona mucha mas - habria un lazo de amistad
4183mucho mas estrecho y mucho mas relajado por que como estar al pie de una persona que es como
4184de uno, no?
4185O: Umm no, but if I was very close to this person I might consider them more if I had a very close
4186and relaxed frienship and felt comfortable with them, right?
4187I: Que palabras, frases y saludos que son muy particular a la comunidad e idioma. Cuales son estas
4188palabras y phrases que utilizas para saludar a un conocido?
4189I:What words, phrases and greetings are very particular to the community and the language?
4190Which words and phrases do you use to greet an acquaintaince?
4191O: A no pues depende del grado de confiansa que tendramos, si es un grado de confiansa de mucho
4192acercamiento pues estonces uno le dice: "Queo hermano" o "Quemas, usted que hombre?", cosas
4193asi. Pero si es una persona que aprenas esta conociendo que hemos tenido uno o dos contactos pues
4194logicamente con la persona va a ser un saludo mas formal, por ejemplo: "Buenos dias, buenas
4195tardes, como le ha hido", cosas asi. Pero con un amigo es muy informal la cosas hasta con groserias
4196y todo.
4197O: Well it depends how much you trust them, if you know them very well you say Hey brother or
4198Whats up man?, things like that, But if its someone you barely know, who youve met once or
4199twice well naturally itll be more formal with that person, for example Good morning, good
4200afternoon, how have you been?, things like that. But with a friend its more informal with slang
4201and everything.
4202I: Para seguir con la parte formal que terminos, phrases, y palabras utiliza para saludar?
4203 I: Continuing with the formal aspect, which terms, phrases and words would you use in greeting?
4204O: Por ejemplo si es una persona que va a saludar formal, ya sea porque la estamos conociendo o
4205que no hay mucha confiansa entre los dos entonces si es buenos dias es buenos dias, si es buenas
4206tardes es buenas tardes, si es buenas noches es buenas noches" y se agrega Don. Se dice buenas
4207tardes Don Jorge, buenas noches Don Jorge" o tambien se utiliza Senor "Buenos dias Senor
4208Castano, buenas tardes Senor Castano". Ya son formas formales de comunicarse con una persona o
4209si es una persona con titulo entonces le dice Doctor - "Buenos dias doctor", y se le agrega el
4210apellido "Buenos dias Doctor Lopez, Buenas tardes Doctor Lopez". De una forma muy formal y con
120
4211formalidad igualmente que merese la verdad.

4212O: For example if youre going to greet someone formally, because youre just meeting them or you
4213dont trust each other much then if its good morning its Good morning, if its good afternoon its
4214Good afternoon, if its good night its Good night and you say Mister. You say Good
4215afternoon Mister Jorge, Good night Mister Jorge, or you use Sir Good morning Sir Castano,
4216Good afternoon Sir Castano. Theyre formal ways of communicating with someone and if that
4217persons educated you say Doctor Good morning Doctor, and you use their surname Good
4218morning Doctor Lopez, Good afternoon Doctor Lopez. Very formal and with a deserved formality.
4219I: Creer que el dialecto Colombiano, el espanol colombiano es diferente a los otros pais
4220latinoamericanos?
4221I: Do you think that the Colombian dialect, Colombian Spanish is very different to other Latin
4222American countries?
4223O: Muy muy diferente a lo mejor no, pero como en todas las regiones, y en todos los pais tenemos
4224nuestros modismos y muchas veces esos modimos son muy particulares a nosotros los
4225colombianos... lo que para un Equatoriano es una cosa para nosotros es otra... osea ellos lo pueden
4226llamar de una forma o la pueden expresar de otra forma... nosotros expresamos de otra forma, osea
4227que aveces los modismos son diferentes y es la diferencia que hay entre pais. En ese sentido si
4228hablamos de una forma informal con una persona hasi sea del mismo idioma pero que usen ese tipo
4229de modismo no nos entedemos.
4230O: Probably not very different no, but in every region and in every country there are differences and
4231a lot of the time these differences are very particular in Colombiawhats one thing for an
4232Ecuadorian is something else to usthey can call it one thing or express themselves in one way
4233we express ourselves in another way, sometimes the habits are different and that difference is
4234between countries. In this manner we can speak in an informal manner with someone in the same
4235language but if they use one of these kind of words we dont understand.
4236I: Que modimos utiliza utd para comunicarse con una persona colombiana?
4237I :What modes do you use to talk to a Colombian person?
4238O: Bueno en cuanto a los saludos, los saludos no son tan completos, o pueden ser completos cuando
4239muchas veces hay demasiada confianza los saludos tienden a ser grocerias?
4240O: Well for phrases, incomplete phrases, or they can be complete whern theyre a lot of trust and
4241theyre rude greetings?
4242I: Como que?
4243I: Like what?
4244O: Por ejemplo, pijuya o pirobo o cosas asi no y pues una persona de Ecuador o Peru no va a
4245entender de lo que nosotros estamos hablando, entonces eso nos hace diferentes pero realmente
4246son.... regionalismos que son muy particulares en nosotros y que eso es la forma muy informal de
4247saludarnos. Que a pesar de que es una groseria y un insulto lo hacemos de tal forma con tanta
4248jocosidad que para nosotros no tiene major importancia, para nosotros no es un insulto sino uno
4249charla. Es decir el saludo se vuelve... apenas viendonos ya estamos charlando osea... y de la forma
4250de como romper el yielo entre nos dos que nos estamos encontrando es con una groseria, con una
4251informalidad sopremamente insultante que para nosotros no es insultante sino es una broma que le
4252va a cuasar risa al que nos vamos a encontrar porque nos estamos encontrando, porque pues
4253normalmente no se espera esa palabra exactamente, a lo mejor otra del mismo tamano pero a lo
4254mejor es una sorpresa el utilizar una palabra diferente entonces ya se forma es una charla amena y
4255una forma muy chistosa de empezar el incuentro, no. Entonces por eso somos diferentes.
4256O: For example pussies or things like that and well someone from Ecuador or Peru wont
4257understand what were saying, so that makes us different but really they areregional things that
4258are very particular to us and that are informal ways of greeting.As well as being rude and an insult
121
4259we do it in a joking way that doesnt bother us, for us its not an insult its a joke. Its saying
4260hello..and weve just seen each other and were jokingand it breaks the ice between us becuase
4261its a slang word with an informal insult thats not insulting for us its a joke that makes you laugh
4262when youve met up, necuase well, normally we expect the correct words, in the same way but its a
4263surprise when someone uses a different word and its used as a joke to start the encounter. Thats
4264how were different.
4265I: Cree que existe la descriminacion dentro del trabajo contra los jovenes, emigrantes Colombianos
4266de segunda generacion por cuestiones de idioma? Cree utd que hay favoritismo por emigrante que
4267por un joven colombiano?
4268I: Do you think there is discrimination in the workplace against young people, second generation
4269Colombian migrant, because of language issues? Do you think that migrants are favoured over
4270young Colombians?
4271O: Claro, si... nunca lo he analisado pero pienso que la gente o mucha gente siente como yo. Y si
4272una persona que ha sido creada aqui, que maneja el idioma, asique sea colombiano pero maneja el
4273idioma a medias la persona que ha venido de colombia que es un emigrante se va a sentir mas
4274comodo teniendo como companiero o emplear... o mas facil emplear a una persona que igualmente
4275este en las mismas condiciones que el y le va a dar favoritismo al que viene de colombia no al que
4276ha estado aqui.
4277O: Of course, yes Ive never analysed it that a lot of people feel like I do. And if someone has
4278grown up here, speaks the langauge, even if theyre Colombian but they speak the language well the
4279person who has come from Colombian, whos an immigrant, theyre going to feel more comfortable
4280having a friend or employing.. its easier to employ someone whos in the same position as you are
4281and they favour someone who comes from Colombia not someone whos from here.
4282I: Entonces hay mas desventaja para los jovenes de la segunda generacion?
4283I: So are second generation youths at a disadvantage?
4284O: Si, si, porque... porque si hay diferencias. Hay diferencias culturales, a pesar que son
4285colombianos, de la misma raza, de la misma gente, pero el hecho de que, de que hayan perdido
4286como...cuando un chorizo lo salan en un grupo de chorizos, lo cogen y lo salan en una olla y en otro
4287ponen otro grupo de chorizos y lo salan de otra forma. Entonces el grupo de chorizos que se cosino
4288y se salo juntos, osea los que venimos de colombia nos hemos salado todos juntos en la misma olla,
4289vamos a sentir un poquito diferentes a pesar de que los otros tambien son chorizos pero han sido
4290salados en otra olla. Osea, esa diferencia de... de haber estado en diferentes sitios, de haber sido
4291cosechado en diferentes sitios marcha la diferencia.
4292O: Yes yes, becuaebecuase there are differences. There are cultural differences, even though
4293theyre Colombian, from the same race, the same people, but becausetheyve lost likewhen a
4294chorizo leaves a group of chorizo, they take it out mix it with other chorizo and it comes out
4295differently. So the group of chorizo that get cooked all did it together, thats to say we all came from
4296Colombia together in the same boat, were going to feel different to the others who are chorizo too
4297but theyve been mixed up on the other side. Its different to having been in different places, having
4298been reared in different places makes a difference.
4299I: Entonces los colombianos que nacieron aqui o vinieron de muy jovenes a este pais, si tuvieran un
4300conocimiento avansado de los emigrantes, cree que a lo mejor habria mas entendimiento entre los
4301dos grupos?
4302I: So Colombians who were born here or came to this country when they were very young, if they
4303had a more knowledge of the immigrants do you think that there would be more understanding
4304between the two groups?
4305O: Probablemente, el problema no es realmente que los hayan salado en una olla diferente, el
4306problema si lo vamos a analisar mas profundamente es que yo hablar de nos han salado en una olla
122
4307differente, ehh me quiero referir al que... al haber estado aqui esta olla...hablamos de inglaterra... la
4308cultura que ellos manejan nuestra, el lenguaje que ellos manejen nuestro es diferente al nuestro,
4309entonces eso nos hace diferentes, pero en ningun momento nosotros los rechazamos como
4310colombianos, alli esta la cuestion - es rechazo esta, es en el poco conosimiento del idioma y de la
4311cultura nuestra - eso es lo que hace que el colombiano nato se sienta un poquito prevenido con al
4312que a estado aqui.
4313O: Probably, the problems not really that they came from a different place, the problem, if we
4314anlayse it more deeply, is that Im talking about those of us who came from somewhere else, err Im
4315referring..having been somewhere elsewere talking about England, the culture that they manage,
4316the language that they use is different to our own, so that makes us different, but in no moment do
4317we reject them as Colombians... there's were the question lies... that rejection, exists in the little
4318knowledge of the language and our culture...that is what makes the native Colombian feel a little
4319reserved with the someone that is from here.
4320I:Utd dice que el idioma es muy importante
4321I: You say that language is very important
4322O: Si...como utd me dijo, si el muchacho maneja los mismos... terminos nuestros de la cultura
4323nuestra y del lenguaje, indudablemente hacia nacido en china - immediatamente al oirlo y al sentirlo
4324y nosotros olerlo y sabemos que maneja todo eso y no encontramos diferencia entonces... entonces
4325eso como que instintivamente hace que no halla ninguna diferencia.
4326Lo que marca la diferencia y el distanciamiento de las generaciones de aqui y la gente que viene de
4327alla es exactamente el manejo del lenguaje y el manejo de los conceptos culturales
4328O: Yeslike Ive said, if a kid uses our sameterms of our culture and language, even though he
4329was born in China if we hear it and feel and we know that he uses it well we dont notice any
4330differences soso for us to not notice any difference is instinctive. What highlights the difference
4331and distance between the generations here and the people that come from over there is exactly the
4332use of language and the use of cultural concepts
4333I: Si utd hubiera tenido la oportunidad de estudiar y tambien trabajar al misma vez sin pensar en
4334el problema de sacar tiempo del trabajo para estudiar, una ayuda economica o con la misma
4335compania donde utd esta empleado, utd hubiera estudiado?
4336I: If you had had the opportunity to study and work at the same time without having to think about
4337taking time off work to study, financial aid or within the company where you work, would you have
4338studied?
4339O: Hay mismo, no hubiera esperado... eso es primordialmente la razones por las cuales muchos de
4340nos que nos hemos venido por aqui es la educacion pero lo que pasa es que muchos no hemos
4341podido realizarnos como estudiantes por que las circumstancias de este pais en cuanto lo economico
4342no lo permite hacerlo uno pero... si hubiera una oportunidad donde esas presiones economicas se
4343hubieran... solucionado por un medio diferente pues logicamente una se podiera concentrar con el
4344estudio que uno hubiera hecho y eso es uno de las cosas mas importantes en la vida de un individuo.
4345Y mucho de la gente que ha venido aqui ha venido con esa aspiracion lo que pasa es que es deficil.
4346O: Thats it, I didnt think it was possiblethats the main reason many of us come here, for
4347educatoin but whats happened is that many of us havent been able to study becuase of the situation
4348in this country, finance doesnt let you butif Id had the chance without financial worriesfinding
4349a different solution, well of course you can concentrate on the studying that youve done thats one
4350of the most important things in your life. And a lot of people who came here had aspirations but
4351they find it tough.
4352----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------4353
4354TONI
123
4355
4356I: Good afternoon Toni, how are you?
4357T: You alright mate!
4358I: I'm good thank you.
4359I: So have you been to any these Latin American Festivals over the summer?
4360T: Hell no!
4361I: No?
4362T: No.
4363Ir: And why havn't you?
4364T: Cause I aint bothered.
4365I: You haven't been bothered? Why is it... is it because you don't like them or is it because you're
4366just not bothered to go?
4367T: I'm not bothered man... I'm a bit lazy.
4368I: And do you like keeping in contact with the Latin American community?
4369T: What in London you mean?
4370Interviewer: Yeah in London.
4371Toni: Yeah yeah I do.
4372I: Would you say it is important to have friends and support in this community?
4373T: Of course man.
4374I: Would you say that it helps you out with work and employment when you have these friends?
4375T: Yeah definately!
4376I: What's your opinion about Colombians that come to this country or Colombians like yourself that
4377are second generation migrants that decide to isolate themselves from the community? Whats your
4378opinion?
4379T: Nothing really
4380I: What impact would you say migration has had on your family, you and your employment
4381opportunities?
4382T: Well it's harder innit.
4383Why is it harder? What you think?
4384T: Well...they all come from another country and... they have to start from the bottom innit... you
4385know.
4386I: Yeah, so from the bottom up?
4387T: Yeah.
4388I: What would you say is the current employment situation for migrants?
4389T: Employment?
4390I: Yeah, in London.
4391T: At the moment...it's kind've hard innit...because of the recession.
4392I: Ok... and do you feel that having both Spanish and English as a language helps you communicate
4393with colombians in and outside the community more than say a Colombian that only knows
4394Spanish?
4395T: Yeah ofcourse man.
4396I: Yeah..alright. Have you worked in the UK before?
4397T: Yeah.
4398I: What challenges would you say you have faced, working in the UK?
4399T: Nothing, I didn't get to experience any.
4400I: And have you worked with Colombian migrants?
4401T: Yeah. Yeah.
4402Ir: Would you say that they are different when they come to this country?
124
4403Toni: Yeah, yeah.

4404I: Ok, in what ways would you say they are different?
4405T: Like they try to stay in one group innit like
4406I: So they got their own little group...
4407T: Yeah... the're united innit and they don't like... comming out of that group like.
4408Ir: Would you say they are different to you... obviously they have been educated in Colombia and
4409the people they socialise with have different beliefs from people in this country?
4410T: No... not necessarily.
4411I: Ok. Do you feel that the Colombians that come over keep their cultural values and beliefs?
4412Toni: Ofcourse man, definately
4413I: Ok. And do you think that there is tension between the younger generation Colombians here and
4414the migrant community that come over?
4415T: Yeah boy I think so.
4416I: In what ways would you say that this tension exist? Would you say that they have different
4417values, different beliefs?
4418T: They see us different cause... probably cause we dress different... we roll around with different
4419type of people and all of that.
4420I: Ok. And when you...
4421T: And the way you talk!! Definately definately...
4422I: And what differnence would you say there is in the way we talk?
4423T: Like street innit...
4424I: Street talk?
4425T: Yeah man...like "blood" and all that...
4426I: Ok. How about when you talk to them in Spanish?
4427T: Like normal innit.
4428Ir: Normal?
4429T: the same as well like street aswell.
4430I: And would you say that the younger generation of Colombians have a different way of using
4431language? Spanish in particular?
4432T: That depends...yeah it depends on the way the parents teach you.
4433I: Ok. When you communicate with a Colombian migrant do you communicate in the same that you
4434would with a second Generation Colombian... in Spanish?
4435T: Nah na it would be different.
4436I: And what... what way would you say you communicate?
4437T: To olders it would be respect innit and to the youngers like... a friend, it would be like you know
4438like... I could probably speak to him you know like... what should I say like... I could be just like
4439normal with him, you know.
4440I: Like street maybe?
4441T: Yeah man, I could rely on him innit.
4442I: Ok. And what words would you say you use for like respect...what words in Spanish would you
4443use for respect to an older person?
4444T: For saying hello to someone I would say Ola, como esta?, cosas asi.
4445I: And are there any particular ways you address them?
4446T: I think it's more the way you approach them.
4447I: Ok. Do you think that there are any problems between Colombian migrants and the younger
4448second generation Colombian migrants in the way that they view language?
4449T: In a way yeah, yeah man. But I find it Ok.
4450I: What effect would you say that migrating back to the UK has had to your identity?
125
4451T: Probably yeah you know.

4452I: In what ways would you say it changes?
4453T: Cause the people here are different from the people over there in Colombia... I think the people
4454here are more serious.
4455I: Would you say you approach language differently because of this?
4456T: Yeah of course man.
4457I: What parts of your identity would you say have not changed?
4458T: Language a swell and my openness... and the way I see life as well.
4459I: Explain how the way you see life has changed?
4460T: Before I went to Colombia I was just relaxing, staying at home... I was just chilling and when I
4461went to Colombia I would see how people worked hard and would do anything to get money and...
4462I'm more ready to get money know innit.
4463I: Ok. And would you say that maintaing and keeping Spanish is important for you?
4464T: Yeah definitely man.
4465Interviewer: How would you say your level of Spanish and English is?
4466T: Normal man... good
4467I: What do you think about second generation Colombian migrants... is there a new... a different
4468identity to their parents?
4469T: Yeah definitely man because they group up in a different environment to what their parents grew
4470up in...they see everything different.
4471I: In what ways do you feel you relate to the Latin American community in London?
4472T: Um probably when there's those festivals and parties... my language and my heritage as well.
4473I: Would you say just being Colombian gives you membership into the community or in order to be
4474part of the community you have to participate and play an active roll?
4475T: Nah I think that's for everyone.
4476I: Would you say a "Latin American or Colombian migrant working community" exists... so like a
4477chain of people where you get work?
4478T: Yeah definitely.
4479I: And does this community help only the Spanish speaking community, Latinos?
4480T: Yeah only the Spanish speaking Latinos.
4481I: Would you say you need to be a member of this community in order to be given these
4482employment opportunities?
4483T: Yeah but not necessarily.
4484I: In what ways would it help if you were part of the community?
4485T: Well cause they can help you find jobs.
4486I: So say now... if you have a link, with one of these people in the chain.
4487T: It would be good because they could help you out innit.
4488I: And have you ever found a job through this way?
4489T: Yeah my mums friends innit.
4490I: Ok. In what ways would you describe Latinos that do not have membership in this community?
4491T: They probably want more... something different.
4492I: Would you say that being part of the community benefits you more or less?
4493T: It depends...well if you're a migrant it would help you big time innit... but if you know how to
4494defend yourself with English it would help you more. It would mainly help the migrants.
4495I: Do you feel that the parents fear of their children falling into the same jobs and life makes these
4496migrants isolate themselves from the community?
4497T: I don't think so.
4498I: Would you say that having knowledge of Spanish helps you with getting in with Latino
126
4499community?
4500T: Yeah it can help.
4501I: And would you say this gives you automatic membership into a Latin or Colombian community?
4502If they hear you speaking in 'Paisa' would it help getting membership into these Latino working
4503communities?
4504T: Yeah of course. Yeah man.
4505I: Can you tell me what words and phrases you use in order to communicate with Colombians and
4506be known as a Colombian?
4507T: Entonces que! Entonces que todo bien parsero! Entonces que parse! Todo bien pana! Entonces
4508que caravana.
4509I: And if you were to talk to someone in a Colombian retaurant or cafe, do you think they would
4510recognise you as a Colombian because you use these phrases?
4511T: Yeah yeah man.
4512I: What words and phrases would you use for respect, how would you address the older generation?
4513T: Hola...I would say how he's doing... como esta...I don't know man?
4514I: In Spanish how would you say this?
4515Toni: Que mas, bien o no, como te encuentras?, stuff like that.
4516I: Ok. Would you say that the Colombian Spanish dialect is very different from any other Spanish
4517forms in Latin America because it's almost like a code?
4518T: Yep.. Yeah.
4519I: Do you feel that there is discrimination at work for Colombian migrants because of their language
4520skills?
4521T: Yeah I think so.
4522I: Would you say there are more opportunities for you because you have both languages?
4523T: Yeah!
4524I: Would you say that if migrants had support and education in this country they would have more
4525opportunities to advance?
4526T: Yeah... more opportunities.
4527
4528
4529
4530
4531
4532
4533
4534
4535
4536
4537
4538
4539
4540
4541
4542
4543
4544
4545
4546
127
4547
4548
4549
4550
4551
4552
4553
4554
4555
4556
4557
4558
4559
4560
4561
4562
4563
4564
4565
4566
4567
4568
4569
4570
4571
Appendix B
4572
(Distributed to Interviewees)
4573
Information Sheet
4574
4575Contacts:
4576Lenin
Valencia
Anduquia
will
be
conducting
the
entire
research.
His
email
is
4577lenin.valencia7@gmail.com and mobile no. 07534349349.

4578
4579Research topic:
4580Language Socialization and Interculturality:
Address Terms and Language Maintenance in
4581Colombian Diasporic Working Communities in London.

4582
4583Background information:
4584The objective of the research is to gain a further understanding as to how both Colombia migrants
128
4585and second generation Colombians migrants access and gain membership into Latin American
4586migrant working communities in London using language socialization. I would like to look at how
4587the use of specific culturally driven communication supports and identifies migrants in the access of
4588Spanish-speaking Latino communities, particularly the Colombian community. The aim of the
4589research is to identify and improve the relationships between Colombian migrants and second
4590generation Colombians both socially and linguistically and in doing so I intend to find ways in
4591which Latin Americans can develop new attitudes towards education, employment and positive
4592work dynamics.
4593
4594Interview Procedure:
4595You will be asked to participate in either a one hour long individual interview or a one hour and
4596thirty minutes group interview. All participants will be briefed about the nature of the research and
4597interview procedures and subsequently debriefed at the end of an interview.
4598For those participants taking part in the individual interview we will arrange a date and time that
4599suits you in a location of your choice- note that cafes or bars are not ideal locations as the
4600background noise may affect the interview outcome. You will be asked to answer a number of
4601questions about your feeling towards language, culture and work as a migrant or second generation
4602Colombian migrants.
4603
4604If you have been chosen to participant in the research I have done so based on the criteria and
4605knowledge that you have surrounding this subject. You have accepted and show interest in
4606participating in the research through the interviews.
4607
4608How will the data be used?
4609The information will be used to build a body of data that will help analyse how migrants use
4610language socialization to gain membership into communities and what the different generations
4611attitudes are towards language and culture in London. Once the data is analysed and compiled the
4612research will be able to find ways in which Latin Americans can improve and develop new attitudes
4613towards employment, education and positive work dynamics.
4614
4615Your identities will be kept anonymous and you will be protected by aliases. All information from
4616the interviews that you wish to disclose will not appear in the research and will be kept confidential.
129
4617Only data that has been approved by you will appear in the research. On completion of the project
4618the approved data will be kept as a reference and may be used by other researchers in further
4619studies.
4620
4621Your Rights:
4622You have the right to withdraw from any interview at any time or refuse to answer any particular
4623question. You have the right to have your privacy and confidentiality protected. You have the right
4624to turn off the recording at any time and ask questions about how your data may be used. You have
4625the right to question the ownership of the data and we can reach an agreement on issues of
4626copyright. Finally you have the right to receive feedback about the interview and research in an
4627appropriate form.
4628
130

Colombian Diaspora in London

Uploaded by

Document Information

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

Colombian Diaspora in London

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

1Language Socialization and Interculturality: Address Terms and Language

2Maintenance in Colombian Diasporic Working Communities in London.

955.5 Conclusion... page 65

143TABLES AND GRAPHS

2821.4 Research Question

Colombian migrants, affect work-related relationships and membership in the community?

gain access to the Colombian diasporic working community?

354CHAPTER 2 LITERATURE REVIEW

2003; Block, 2008; Dempsey & Lema, 1998; Mcilwaine, 2005).

402 2.2.1 Spanish Speaking Latino (SSL) community in London

4262.2.2 Colombian Diaspora in London

642CHAPTER 3 METHODOLOGY AND METHODS

6903.2.1 Research Questions & Hypotheses

Colombian migrants affect work-related relationships and membership in the community? If

and common cultural and ethnic backgrounds of interactants/interlocutors in order to gain

access to the Colombian diasporic working community?

communication to gain access of existing Spanish-Speaking Latino (SSL) communities.

It is possible that an increased understanding of interculturality and language

positive work habits.

7143.2.2 Research Problem

810phenomenon of the Colombian diasporic community in London. The phenomenon of the

834CHAPTER 4 DATA ANALYSIS AND DISCUSSION OF RESULTS

882participated in the study through their responses and extra information.

Age Generation Type

First Generation Migrant

First Generation Migrant

Second Generation Migrant

First Generation Migrant

First Generation Migrant

Second Generation Migrant

First Generation Migrant

Second Generation Migrant

897Fig.1. Table of Participants

900Fig.2. 1st and 2nd Generation Migrant Community Representation

9144.2.2 Determinates of Inter-generational Conflict

Imposed identities and membership

Contrasting social, cultural and language attitudes

Attitudes towards language maintenance and linguistic abilities

937community. She states that:

offered, well little by little I started leaving.1

Pues antediormente me gustaba mucho estar en contacto porque me

ayuda pues yo me fui alejando poco a poco.2

See Appendix A, Line 1823.

identity... they start enculturating themselves in a new society...3

mala fama de todo mundo de narcotraficante y de todo esas cosas, entonces

muchos les da pena hablar en el idioma uno entonces hablan en ingles...Empiezan

a comportarsen como los ingleses, a ir a restaurantes como los ingleses, van al

culturisando en una sociedad... totalmente diferente. 4

See Appendix A, Line 4063.

See Appendix A, Line 2876.

because I'm use to that with my brothers.6

so that makes us different, but in no moment do we reject them as Colombians...

reserved with the someone that is from here. 7

nosotros los rechazamos como Colombianos... alli esta la cuestion...ese rechazo

esta, es en el poco conosimiento del idioma y de la cultura nuestra...eso es lo que

See Appendix A, Line 3374.

meter por que si no entiendes este idioma no va a tener muchas puertas

oportunidades por otro lado...12

Colombia is more on the ball and much faster...13

mientras un muchacho en colombia es mas listo, como mas rapido...14

14 See Appendix A, Line 2015.

is setting rules based on his knowledge, that's how it is. 15

su impunidad,que dice, yo soy el mas beraco y a mi no me va a joder nadie, y

el de aqu pues ya se ha jodido y lo esta orientandolo para que no lo jodan o