Identity Changes for Iraqi Employees in Multinational Corporations Using English as the Lingua Franca
Abstract
With the help of this study, I aim to understand how Iraqi employees whose first language is
Arabic, deal with situations where they have to speak English in their workplace, and how their identity
changes. Through this study, a better understanding of how people go through and experience such a
drastic change in their daily lives. To conduct this study, I conducted interviews with 15 Iraqi
employees to collect qualitative data. Based on the findings of the study, I incorporated the
Communication Accommodation theory, with the help of which I aimed to understand how such
theories can help such individuals in establishing a better situation for themselves. Communication
Accommodation theory is usually applied in situations where individuals are made to speak a certain
language, which they don’t usually speak, and thus, with the help of this theory, a better understanding
of how individuals build a better environment for themselves in the process of their identity change, in
instances where their local language is not being spoken, is built. It was seen that with proper policies,
rules, and regulations, multinational corporations can build a friendlier environment for such
individuals who are dealing with linguistic identity change and thus, are not used to speaking English.
Through this, they can also ensure that the rights are being protected of such people.
Degree
Student essay
View/ Open
Date
2023-11-01Author
Majeed Hamad Amin Ahlgren, Sarezh
Keywords
Iraqi Employees
English
multinational organizations
English as the Lingua Franca
Identity Change
Linguistic Identity
Series/Report no.
SPL 2023-032, Masteruppsats, Engelska
Language
eng