Linguistic outcomes of language accountability and points-based system for multilingual skilled immigrants in Canada: a critical language-in-immigration policy analysis
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Kashif Raza [1] ; Catherine Chua [1]
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[1] University of Calgary
University of Calgary
Canadá
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- Localización: Journal of multilingual and multicultural development, ISSN 0143-4632, Vol. 45, Nº. 7, 2024, págs. 2605-2619
- Idioma: inglés
- Texto completo no disponible (Saber más ...)
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Resumen
Despite recognising multilingualism as a reality and multilingual workforce as an advantage, language policies continue to favour certain languages over others. Using a case study of Canada’s language-in-immigration policy related to three federally administered immigration programs, this study is an attempt to understand how the macro-level policy represents Canada’s official languages (English and French) vis-à-vis the linguistic diversity that skilled immigrants bring to the country. A particular emphasis is given to the role of the Canadian points-based system and how it has emerged as a device to create power relations between the official languages and other languages. The findings reveal a disconnect between the macro policies and the social realities where a linguistic imbalance and inclusion of accountability measures have created a narrow model of social integration that expects multilingual skilled workers to integrate into the socio-economic culture through one of the official languages of Canada. Disregarding the multilingual reality of the Canadian society and not utilising the linguistic diversity of the multilingual workforce is a missed opportunity to benefit fully from these skilled workers and requires rethinking the current model of integration from a multilingual perspective.
