Communication During Perimmigration: A Life-Line Interview Method Study

This thesis examines the communication challenges faced by migrants and their impact on acculturation using a new approach. The study analyzed autobiographical memories of immigrants’ communication to explore both positive and negative experiences over time. The study extends previous intercultural communication research by using the Life-Line Interview Method (LIM) (Assink & Schroots, 2010) to collect autobiographical narratives from twelve participants about their communication journeys. The findings reveal consistencies with past intercultural communication research insofar as uncertainty and identity problems were pervasive, but also positively extends past research arguing that supportive environments, characterized by culturally responsive educators and peer networks, play a crucial role in mitigating feelings of isolation and promoting inclusion. Furthermore, immigrants reported that technology facilitated language learning, enabling migrants to develop skills needed immediately at their own pace. The study emphasizes the importance of advocating for linguistic rights and the need for multilingual support in educational and workplace contexts. It is further argued that future research should consider the Perimmigration Cyclical Transculturation Dialectical Model as it provides a useful reframing of communication and acculturation as a dynamic, ongoing process, rather than past variable-analytic studies. This model highlights the complex interplay of identity, culture, and power dynamics that migrants must navigate, underscoring the need for inclusive practices that embrace linguistic diversity. An agenda for future research is offered.