Social interactions and language use in multicultural settings: an exploratory study of personal networks

Abstract

This study tests the use of social network analysis in the diagnostics of personal communities as relational systems that affect how languages are learned. The egocentric approach of this methodology was applied to identifying the personal networks of adult immigrants attending a literacy program. The study is an exploratory and descriptive analysis with EgoNet software based on five cases. The results show small networks with few significant 'alters' (five to eight), without weak ties in areas of relationship with neighbours or other acquaintances, and in which the prevailing language of communication was the same as that of 'ego' - with, in some cases, multicultural networks using different languages of communication.