Speaking with an Accent: Identity and Otherness in the Migratory Contexts of Brazilians in Germany

Abstract

This article presents an ongoing investigation about how Brazilian migrants perceive the reception of their accents when speaking German, focusing on nursing professionals who have moved to Germany over the past decade. Drawing on sociolinguistics of contact and glottopolitical studies, the research examines accent as a social and symbolic phenomenon that intertwines language, identity, and power. Methodologically, the study adopts a qualitative and interpretive approach, based on semi-structured interviews and thematic analysis of personal narratives. Building on authors such as Selinker, Labov, Bourdieu, Revuz, Blanchet, and Paviani, it discusses how phonetic difference is socially perceived and evaluated, exposing the ambivalence between stigmatization and recognition. The findings indicate that accent functions simultaneously as a marker of belonging and a potential source of discrimination, influencing processes of integration and self-perception among speakers. By conceiving accent as a site of listening and recognition, the study advances an ethical reflection on the act of listening in intercultural interactions, arguing that the appreciation of linguistic diversity is essential for a more just and inclusive language education.