From Margins to Integration: Mechanisms of Second Language Acquisition among “Biharis" in the Geneva Camps of Bangladesh

The prolonged displacement and identity loss of the Urdu-speaking “Bihari" people in the Geneva Camps of Bangladesh since 1971 provide a unique context to examine Second Language Acquisition (SLA). This research investigates their acquisition of Bangla, crucial for social integration, focusing on the interplay of lost identity, forced motivation, and SLA. Drawing upon Sociocultural Theory which emphasizes the role of social interaction in language learning, and motivational framework, specifically instrumental motivation, this investigation explores how economic and social imperatives drive the acquisition of Bangla. Using a mixed-methods approach, surveys of 300 youth and interviews with 15 adults revealed a generational divide: younger Biharis are highly motivated to learn Bangla for socioeconomic reasons, reflecting strong instrumental motivation, while older generations maintain Urdu, resisting full sociocultural integration. Despite linguistic acculturation, discrimination and wretched living conditions prevent complete integration. The study explores the dual nature of forced motivation in SLA, demonstrating its power to drive linguistic adaptation while risking cultural loss. It recommends policies that balance integration with cultural protection and calls for further refugee SLA inquiry, especially regarding its impact on L2 acquisition and sociocultural integration.