The improvised language of solidarity: Linguistic practices in the participatory labour-organizing processes of multi-ethnic migrant workers

There are considerable language barriers facing the potential collective labour organization of multi-ethnic migrant workers. From research literature, we know little about linguistic practices that might overcome these barriers. Based on an ethnographic study participatory organizing S.I. Cobas workers in Italian logistics sector, point to three help – translation, lingua franca and humour. We theorize as constituting ‘improvised solidarity’. argue improvised solidarity develops from, can significantly support, organizing.