Sprachliche Unsicherheit und soziale Distanz. Die Erfahrungen hochqualifizierter polnischer Migrantinnen in Deutschland
Language Insecurity and Social Distance. The Experiences of Highly Qualified Polish Migrant Women in Germany

Summary/Abstract: This article examines the experiences of highly educated Polish migrant women with advanced German language skills. The focus lies on analysing the linguistic and social barriers they encounter due to their Polish accent, which can lead to linguistic insecurity and the development of withdrawal strategies. Through narrative interviews, both self-perceptions and external perceptions of the Polish accent are explored from the perspective of those affected, discussing the resulting impacts on the individuals. The hierarchy of languages and accents, linked to the concept of linguicism, fosters social exclusion, microaggressions, and increases insecurity in language use. The theoretical concept of native speakerism is applied to critically examine the use of the ‘mother tongue’ as a normative ideal and to shed light on its effects on the studied group. These dynamics generate significant pressure to conform, encourage the development of withdrawal strategies, and prompt the search for international ‘safer spaces‘ where accents are seen as natural and where their acceptance is considered conducive to uninhibited language use.

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