Skilled Migration and Global English

A forensics lab worker, a busy street, and educationalists

Skilled Migration and Global English: Language, Development, and the African Professional

Skilled migrants (SM) have come into prominence recently as they present a new approach to socio-economic development among less developed countries (LDC). SM residing in the Northern hemisphere contribute to their home countries in many ways. They send remittances that aid development; provide venture capital to start new companies; outsource work to their home countries; consult for free on technical knowhow; mentor home country professionals; and disseminate talent and knowledge by returning home or shuttling between home and abroad.

Whereas traditionally such migration was perceived as brain drain, leading to the vicious circle of less development and more dependence on the North, the activities of SM have been touted as “brain gain,” leading to a “virtuous cycle” of talent getting further developed and spread all around.

Though there is a burgeoning research tradition on SM, it has primarily focused on the politico-economic factors that motivate them to leave their country, and the intellectual, professional, and economic opportunities that attract them elsewhere.

A missing dimension in this analysis is language. There is anecdotal evidence that English proficiency enables SM to benefit from the opportunities in the North. This perspective raises many research-worthy questions:

  • How does English shape the flow of SM and trajectories of migration?
  • In what ways does English shape the levels of success of SM?
  • How do SM negotiate their different English varieties with those in the host communities?
  • How do SM negotiate the tensions in identity deriving from different languages in relationships among themselves and with other groups?
  • Are there language-related tensions as SM undertake development efforts in their home countries?
  • These questions will be studied by a multidisciplinary team of scholars situated in multiple locations.

Expected outputs

This exploratory research initiative will lead to a journal article, a policy report for stakeholders, and an external funding application.