Linguistic (in)security in the ancestral homeland: sociocultural reintegration of transnational return migrants in Türkiye

This study investigates the linguistic insecurity and discrimination experienced by Turkish-origin return migrants born and/or raised in Western European countries (Germany, Belgium, and France), the individual and structural factors shaping these experiences, and their impact on reintegration. For this purpose, in-depth, semi-structured interviews were conducted with 25 returnees who returned to Türkiye over the past 15 years. Employing qualitative research methods, the study draws on interview data and researcher's observation notes. Findings reveal that most return migrants experienced linguistic insecurity and discrimination when using Turkish in social interactions in Türkiye. These experiences were shaped by individual factors – including personal traits and perceived Turkish language deficiency – as well as structural factors such as gender roles, hierarchical relationship patterns, social representations of language, and experiences of linguistic discrimination. The study further demonstrates that migrants’ transnational identities and sense of belonging influence linguistic security, and that the insecurity and discrimination they encounter when speaking Turkish complicates their sociocultural reintegration.