Language, global mobilities, blue‐collar workers and blue‐collar workplacesKellieGonçalves and HelenKelly‐Holmes (Ed.), New York: Routledge. 2021. 258pp. 3 B/W illustrations. Hardback (9780367279004) 96.00 GBP, Paperback (9780367642730) 29.59 GBP, Ebook (9780429298622) 29.59 GBP

For many people today working life is characterised by global mobility. The edited volume Language, Global Mobilities, Blue-Collar Workers and Workplaces investigates the linguistic consequences of mobility for workers in blue-collar jobs. Covering a wide range contexts, takes decidedly critical perspective on language work, positioning itself within field political economy. While historical studies book show that have always migrated to find contemporary highlight how traditional migration patterns now are complemented new transient mobilities where oil sands fly Alberta work few weeks before returning home, Filipino nurses Japan years while sending money their families back or owner Thai massage salon Germany plans retire her home village Thailand. multilingualism also part everyday more stable migrants, these globally mobile workers, learning multilingual use tied up with job opportunities social as well legal concerns about status. As such, focus highly welcome additional sociolinguistic literature language, migration. includes 10 chapters, all based empirical workplaces. chapters an introduction editors Kellie Gonçalves Helen Kelly-Holmes, concluding commentary Alistair Pennycook. maintaining focus, exhibits theoretical breadth variously draw theories ideologies, policy, acquisition, symbolic capital. Similarly, covers data types (from ethnographic observations recordings interaction interviews documents) showcases diverse methods analysis (including discourse analysis, narrative interactional practices). This key strength book, it role among different places at times. take reader Canada, Czech Republic, Finland, France, Germany, Japan, Norway, Saipan, Turkey, introducing representing ethnicities nationalities. Furthermore, span several time periods, enabling gain insight into both current past practices reflections long lives workers. Kelly-Holmes positions book's contributions against backdrop mobilities. Against overview previous point out need investigate workplaces from three complementary perspectives: discourses policies workplaces, chapter closes some usefulness category ‘blue-collar’. Rather than using reinforce straightforward links between categories practices, aim ‘shed light complex issues surrounding individuals located primarily lower end socioeconomic scale’ (p. 12). not organised any clear logic, can be said fall two categories: Six four practices. In first category, Pietikäinen Allan us mine Arctic Finland. Based retired analyse mining ‘golden era’ 1960s–1980s was associated having ‘jobs life’ paternalistic company provided economic town. era contrasted present empty town devoid constructions ‘speculative future time’ which promise bright investments untouched nature potential reopening risks, bound interests transnational companies rather regional national past. Chapter 5, Divita story work. He focuses Spanish migrant women who worked maids, bonnes-à-tout-faire, Paris 1960s. study illustrates ways linked power agency, workplace beyond: Learning French allowed participants agency negotiate better conditions, but pursue other jobs beyond being maid. At same time, knowledge local access understanding labour market conditions politics, empowered civil society. thus shows occupational narratives serve projects personhood identity formation, workplace. contrast languages play economy today. Drawing ads, managers, Strömmer analyses cleaning seasonal cleaners tourist resort Central teamwork, skilled customer service go somewhat stereotypical definitions These implications when comes language. When seen ‘passable English’ 194) Finnish required. Likewise, constructed skills McLaughlin's ads Francophone Specifically, she finds contrasting viewing bilingualism. idealise French–English bilingualism acquired formally school, they do regard informal acquisition English valuable skill (after had gotten along without initially). However, still important mobility: mandatory managers foremen. relation emerges Hess’ small island North Pacific. loyal hard-working, characteristics allow them move behind-the-scenes production department delivery personnel. Here, become important. only required, valued because speak Tagalog customers large minority. Yet, despite this position relevant competences, precarious rely employment status visas renewed every year. Sherman Homoláč case Vietnamese migrants settled Republic. unnecessary factory since tasks repetitive shown gestures—or brokering. ethnic co-workers Vietnamese-speaking, means outside competence condition permanent residency. cases, just opportunities, second set shifts Hiss Northern Norway 19th century, Sámi, Kven, Norwegian speakers lived side side, frequently visited Russian traders. Using documents, compares copper Kven-speaking British owners practice Russenorsk lingua franca fisherfolk By taking perspective, able pertaining temporality entextualisation, reminding ideologies change over research carried periods may influenced those we subscribe to. remaining Focusing Kurdish Istanbul, Schluter setting politicised, least most widely spoken non-Turkish Turkey stigmatised separatist movement. Schluter's interviews, observations, restaurants less explicit Kurdish–Turkish policy. Her risks businesses such policy: attracts politically active Kurds, there risk turning Turkish-speaking away. Turkish functions authority, example used reprimand employees—similar is, authoritative state. frames contribution counter examples minority becoming increasingly visible marketable argues examine each context its own. Serwe link use, entrepreneurship female Germany. Through mediated routine interactions gestures objects accomplish minimum German. require wider competences. married German, entrepreneur husband broker interactions. Finally, Otomo policy caregiving facility Philippines, Indonesia, Vietnam. Data fieldwork caregivers uncover strong monolingual native-speaker bias manager owner. contrast, Otomo's reveal fluency Japanese rarely dialect very useful carees, staff, often nonverbal cues patients’ medical history addition brings level. Since plays central test pass licensed (and remain country), intimately clearly low-status multimodal work: majority dialects, languages, economy, international vital roles settings. addition, gestures, cues, brokers order get done. emphasise especially question individual level, competences provide integration societal regulate migrants’ instance bilateral agreements laws make requirement obtaining residency permit. scholars interested concept worker coherent whole, diversity discussed leads questioning concept. Does sense describe blue-collar? mining, cleaning, fit neatly ‘working-class labor predominantly done [in], limited to, primary secondary sectors, manufacturing agriculture’ (pp. 1–2), broader definition ‘temporary, low incorporate type physical labour’ 2) encompasses eldercare restaurants, questionable whether business owners, owner, category. And extent unskilled trained bill either. useful, allows socio-economic status, component, temporariness. much has been sociolinguistics decades shine looks policies, contributes exactly perspective. although requirements vary, far ‘language marginal’ 13). if wish understand impacts workers’ what should around