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NorPol: L2 Communication among Polish migrants in Norway

The project examines factors that enhance or inhibit communication between Poles and Norwegians in workplace interaction. 

A man and a woman wearing helmets on the workplace. Photo.

About the project

Language skills are often assumed to be crucial for success in working life. The project "Second-language communication in workplace settings — the case of Polish migrants in Norway (NorPol)" highlights the importance of language and communication for understanding inclusion and exclusion in professional settings.

One of the central dimensions of our contemporary working life is the object of study: the communication involving speakers of Norwegian as their second language (L2). More specifically, we look into the case of Polish migrants in Norway. Being the largest migrant group in Norway, speaking a first language (L1) in many ways structurally different from Norwegian, Poles constitute an important case to gain better knowledge of the interplay between language skills and integration.

The project sets out to investigate socio-cultural, interactional and linguistic factors that enhance or inhibit communication between Poles and Norwegians, by asking questions like:

  • Which types of linguistic practices are especially challenging for Polish L2 speakers of Norwegian?
  • What are the characteristics of Poles' L2 Norwegian when communicating, and how does this communicative style affect communication and social relations?
  • To what extent do different stereotypes of Poles and Norwegians affect negotiations of legitimacy and agency in interaction?

We also involve Norwegian L1 speakers by asking how they design their utterances in order to ascertain adequate comprehension in professional settings involving Poles.

By providing knowledge of the factors that enhance or inhibit communication, with an emphasis on workplace interaction, the project is likely to have impact on policy and practice pertaining to inclusion, welfare and secure working life for all citizens.

Objectives

Primary objective 

Which socio-cultural, interactional and linguistic factors enhance or inhibit communication in Norwegian workplace interaction between Poles and Norwegians?

Secondary objectives

  1. To identify and explain communication styles and linguistic patterns when Poles use Norwegian as their second language (L2) in and across professional settings
  2. To evaluate what aspects of Poles' use of their L2 that account for (un)successful communication
  3. To examine how the L2 speakers cope with communication challenges, and how their interlocutors contribute to mutual understanding
  4. To explore the role of attitudes and negotiation of identity in situated interaction
  5. To extend knowledge about the character of intercultural interactions in professional settings
  6. To suggest implementation of the findings in Norwegian L2 training aimed primarily at workplace communication.

Financing

Research council of Norway, FRIPRO scheme.

Duration

2020-2024.

Cooperation

The Text Laboratory

Publications

  • Olszewska, Aleksandra Ita; Coady, Maria; Marichal, Nidza; Ankeny, Raisa; Long, Andrew & Shafiei, Hamed [Show all 7 contributors for this article] (2023). “It’s Like Fuel”: Igniting Rural English Learner Education Through Place-Conscious Professional Development. Journal of Research in Rural Education. ISSN 1551-0670. 39(1), p. 1–18. doi: 10.26209/JRRE3901.
  • Golden, Anne & Opsahl, Toril (2023). No(r)way? Language Learning, Stereotypes, and Social Inclusion Among Poles in Norway. Social Inclusion. ISSN 2183-2803. 11(4), p. 80–90. doi: 10.17645/si.v11i4.7112. Full text in Research Archive
  • Szymanska, Oliwia & Golden, Anne (2023). Er å holde hodet kaldt det samme som å (be)holde kaldt blod? Metaforiske uttrykk i norsk og polsk – forståelse og ekvivalens. NOA - Norsk som andrespråk. ISSN 0801-3284. 39(1). Full text in Research Archive
  • Golden, Anne & Opsahl, Toril (2023). “Sånn typisk scene fra en polsk komedie egentlig”. Bruk av humorbasert videostimuli i forskning på talere av norsk som andrespråk . NOA - Norsk som andrespråk. ISSN 0801-3284. 39(2), p. 5–36. Full text in Research Archive
  • Golden, Anne & Szymanska, Oliwia (2022). Griper polske studenter poenget på norsk? Forståelse av metaforiske uttrykk blant norskstuderende i Polen. Nordand : nordisk tidsskrift for andrespråksforskning. ISSN 0809-9227. doi: 10.18261/nordand.17.2.1.
  • Olszewska, Aleksandra Ita; Coady, Maria & Markowska-Manista, Urszula (2022). Language Planning, Linguistic Imperialism, and English Language Teacher Education in Post-Soviet Poland: A Literature Review. In McCallum, Lee (Eds.), English Language Teaching Policy and Practice across the European Union. Springer. ISSN 978-981-19-2152-0. p. 51–67. doi: 10.1007/978-981-19-2152-0_4.
  • Golombek, Paula; Olszewska, Aleksandra & Coady, Maria (2022). Humanizing power of counter-stories: Teachers’ understandings of emergent bilinguals in rural settings. Teaching and Teacher Education : An International Journal of Research and Studies. ISSN 0742-051X. 113. doi: 10.1016/j.tate.2022.103655.
  • Szymanska, Oliwia & Golden, Anne (2022). Å skyte seg selv i foten eller i kneet? Forståelse og produksjon av metaforiske uttrykk i norsk når førstespråket er polsk. In Ragnhildstveit, Silje; Golden, Anne & Gujord, Ann-Kristin Helland (Ed.), Nye innsikter i norsk som andrespråk. Inspirert av Kari Tenfjords forskning. Alvheim og Eide Akademisk forlag. ISSN 978-82-93690-12-2. p. 109–134.
  • Szymanska, Oliwia & Janik, Marta Olga (2022). I en vev av tempus: Tempusbruk i norsk som andrespråk hos en voksen polsk innlærer. In Ragnhildstveit, Silje; Golden, Anne & Gujord, Ann-Kristin Helland (Ed.), Nye innsikter i norsk som andrespråk. Inspirert av Kari Tenfjords forskning. Alvheim og Eide Akademisk forlag. ISSN 978-82-93690-12-2. p. 87–108.
  • Opsahl, Toril (2021). Invisible Presence?: Polish in Norwegian Public Space. In Blackwood, Robert & Dunlevy, Deirdre A. (Ed.), Multilingualism in Public Spaces: Empowering and Transforming Communities. Bloomsbury Academic. ISSN 9781350186590. p. 111–136. Full text in Research Archive
  • Urbanik, Pawel Kazimierz (2021). Directives in the construction site: Grammatical design and work phases in second language interactions with crane operators. Journal of Pragmatics. ISSN 0378-2166. 178, p. 43–67. doi: 10.1016/j.pragma.2021.02.016. Full text in Research Archive
  • Golden, Anne; Jensen, Bård Uri & Szymanska, Oliwia (2021). Multiple choice tests in studies of metaphor comprehension among learners of Norwegian. NOA - Norsk som andrespråk. ISSN 0801-3284. 37(1-2/2021), p. 107–132. Full text in Research Archive

View all works in Cristin

  • Opsahl, Toril; Solheim, Randi; Aa, Leiv Inge & Zahl, Hilde (2024). Ingen dauer av å droppe "den". [Radio]. Språksnakk, NRK P2.
  • Szymanska, Oliwia (2024). With scalpel in hand. Teaching advanced Norwegian to doctors with a foreign background - from research to practical application.
  • Szymanska, Oliwia (2024). Teaching advanced language to doctors with a foreign background. From research to practical application .
  • Szymanska, Oliwia (2024). Transfer of L1 practices in migrant physicians.
  • Solarek-Gliniewicz, Magdalena (2024). Achieving mutual understanding with patients when physicians conduct consultations in a second language.
  • Olszewska, Aleksandra Ita & Opsahl, Toril (2024). “If you don’t speak Norwegian well, they think you are stupid”: Experiencing and responding to linguistic racism by Polish migrant workers in Norway.
  • Szymanska, Oliwia (2023). Multilingualism Research Forum: Metaphor training in L2 doctors - jackpot or blowback?
  • Urbanik, Pawel Kazimierz (2023). Hva sier byggearbeideren? Norsk og polsk på byggeplassen.
  • Golden, Anne & Opsahl, Toril (2023). Emotions, well-being and language learning among Polish work migrants in Norway.
  • Szymanska, Oliwia (2023). Kan en metafortrening gi mening? En intervensjonstudie for psykiatere med L2 norsk.
  • Golden, Anne & Opsahl, Toril (2023). Snakk om følelser – emosjoner og språklæring blant voksne norskinnlærere med polsk bakgrunn.
  • Szymanska, Oliwia (2023). Legitimacy in L2 medical talk. Successful practices for shaping a professional persona.
  • Szymanska, Oliwia (2023). Metaphors for special purposes. To teach or not to teach? The case of physicians who perform in L2.
  • Szymanska, Oliwia (2023). In search for a better prophylactic. Preparing doctors to perform in Norwegian as a second language.
  • Szymanska, Oliwia (2023). Tapping into multilingual resources - metaphorical expressions in migrant doctors.
  • Szymanska, Oliwia (2023). Constructing a legitimate professional persona in L2.
  • Szymanska, Oliwia & Golden, Anne (2023). Keeping eyes on the ball: Comprehension, learning and use of metaphorical expressions in L2.
  • Opsahl, Toril; Garbacz, Piotr; Golden, Anne; Olszewska, Aleksandra Ita; Szymanska, Oliwia & Solarek-Gliniewicz, Magdalena [Show all 8 contributors for this article] (2023). L2 Communication in workplace settings. The case of Polish migrants in Norway (NorPol).
  • Szymanska, Oliwia (2023). Przychodzi Norweg do lekarza… Polske leger i det norske sykehusuniverset.
  • Opsahl, Toril & Szymanska, Oliwia (2023). Velkomst, introduksjon og arrangementsansvar.
  • Janik, Marta Olga & Szymanska, Oliwia (2023). Tempusbruk i norsk som andrespråk hos en voksen polsk innlærer.
  • Golden, Anne & Szymanska, Oliwia (2023). Forståelse og produksjon av metaforiske uttrykk i norsk når førstespråket er polsk.
  • Szymanska, Oliwia (2023). Metaphorical expressions in mental healthcare.
  • Szymanska, Oliwia (2023). Językowy kalejdoskop norweskiej służby zdrowia. Skuteczne praktyki komunikacyjne polskich lekarzy specjalistów.
  • Solarek-Gliniewicz, Magdalena (2023). Other-initiated repairs under medical consultations in L2 Norwegian.
  • Solarek-Gliniewicz, Magdalena (2023). My research and life as a researcher .
  • Solarek-Gliniewicz, Magdalena (2023). Må noe fortsatt repareres når leger snakker norsk som andrespråk på B2 eller høyere nivå? .
  • Solarek-Gliniewicz, Magdalena (2023). Felles forståelse av medisinsk sjargong mellom pasienter og leger med L2-norsk.
  • Solarek-Gliniewicz, Magdalena (2023). Polish physicians and language variation in Norway.
  • Szymanska, Oliwia (2023). Hvorfor (ikke) akademia?
  • Szymanska, Oliwia; Opsahl, Toril; Sapiezynska, Ewa & Lilleslåtten, Mari (2023). Polsk i Norge: Hvordan er det egentlig å lære norsk? [Internet]. Universitetsplassen - en podkast fra UiO.
  • Szymanska, Oliwia (2022). How physicians use metaphors in their L2.
  • Szymanska, Oliwia (2022). Slik sikrer utenlandske leger sin kredibilitet.
  • Szymanska, Oliwia (2022). Metaphor competence among L2-doctors .
  • Szymanska, Oliwia & Janik, Marta (2022). «Hvis du tåler det godt, så vil jeg gjerne beholde den dosen» Tempusbruk i spontan produksjon hos en voksen norskbruker.
  • Garbacz, Piotr (2022). What enhances or inhibits communication between Poles and Norwegians in workplace interaction? .
  • Golden, Anne & Opsahl, Toril (2022). Hermegåsa kommer? Erfaringer fra bruk av videostimuli i talespråksforskning.
  • Solarek-Gliniewicz, Magdalena (2022). "As doctors we apply too much jargon when we speak". Co-constructing intersubjectivity of medical terms during consultations with Polish physicians speaking Norwegian.
  • Solarek-Gliniewicz, Magdalena (2022). RECIPIENT DESIGN OF MEDICAL VOCABULARY by Polish physicians with L2 Norwegian .
  • Solarek-Gliniewicz, Magdalena (2022). Recipient design of medical terminology: data session with international researchers.
  • Solarek-Gliniewicz, Magdalena (2022). Polish physicians with L2 Norwegian in a patient-centred way of communication.
  • Solarek-Gliniewicz, Magdalena (2022). How to transform and adapt medical vocabulary to be more patient-friendly: the case of cardiac resynchronisation therapy analysed with CA.
  • Solarek-Gliniewicz, Magdalena (2022). Polish physicians with L2 Norwegian in a patient-centred way of communication: WELL-STRUCTURED CONSULTATION AS A POINT OF DEPARTURE. .
  • Solarek-Gliniewicz, Magdalena (2022). Repair trouble sources in consultations between Polish physicians with L2 Norwegian and patients in specialised healthcare in Norway.
  • Solarek-Gliniewicz, Magdalena (2022). Polske overleger med L2 norsk i spesialisthelsetjenesten i Norge. Kommunikasjonsutfordringer og språklige strategier.
  • Szymanska, Oliwia & Golden, Anne (2022). Authenticity in L2 medical talk and conduct?
  • Opsahl, Toril & Golden, Anne (2022). How (not) to be a legitimate and authentic Polish professional in Norway.
  • Solarek-Gliniewicz, Magdalena & Garbacz, Piotr (2022). Nor-Pol project. With a focus on recruitment of Polish informants and the data collection.
  • Szymanska, Oliwia (2022). Insulinpumpen som ikke ville snakke med sensoren. Bruk av metaforiske uttrykk hos leger med L2 norsk.
  • Szymanska, Oliwia (2022). «Metaforiske uttrykk på 123» Å øke metaforisk bevissthet i L2 ved bruk av samfunnsrelevante tekster.
  • Szymanska, Oliwia (2022). «When a pump ignores a sensor» Metaphorical expressions in physicians consulting their patients in L2.
  • Olszewska, Aleksandra Ita (2022). “JustWork”: In pursuit of linguistic justice in the workplace for Polish migrants to Norway .
  • Szymanska, Oliwia (2022). How to stimulate metaphoric awareness by deploying public information texts?
  • Szymanska, Oliwia (2022). Covid-19 information texts in teaching L2 metaphorical expressions.
  • Szymanska, Oliwia (2022). How immigrant doctors secure understanding in L2 communication with patients: Insights from the Norwegian healthcare system.
  • Szymanska, Oliwia & Domeradzka, Magdalena (2022). Keep calm and learn Scandinavian: Getting ready for work in Swedish and Norwegian healthcare.
  • Szymanska, Oliwia & Golden, Anne (2022). L2-metaforiske uttrykk i flomlyset. Polske studenters håndtering av metaforer i norsk.
  • Szymanska, Oliwia & Golden, Anne (2022). Throwing lights on L2-learners and metaphors An extended study on Polish students’ comprehension of frequent metaphorical expressions in Norwegian.
  • Solarek-Gliniewicz, Magdalena (2022). Polish physicians in Norway in search of becoming legitimate users of Norwegian .
  • Solarek-Gliniewicz, Magdalena (2022). NÅR LEGEN SNAKKER NORSK SOM ANDRESPRÅK UNDER MEDISINSKE KONSULTASJONER.Hva innebærer det for tolker? .
  • Solarek-Gliniewicz, Magdalena (2022). Polske overlegers mottakertilpasning av medisinske termer i samtaler med pasienter på norsk.
  • Urbanik, Pawel; Opsahl, Toril & Lilleslåtten, Mari (2021). Polske anleggsarbeidere bruker norsk språk målrettet for å løse oppgaver. [Internet]. HF-aktuelt.
  • Solarek-Gliniewicz, Magdalena (2021). In a completely new reality with Norwegian speaking patients – language barriers and strategies used by Polish physicians with Norwegian as their L2 in specialised health care in Norway.
  • Szymanska, Oliwia (2021). An L2-speaking doctor in Norwegian health care: Expectations, Domains and Challenges .
  • Szymanska, Oliwia (2021). Norsk som andrespråk i (lege)praksis.
  • Opsahl, Toril (2021). Introduction to the NorPol project.
  • Garbacz, Piotr; Golden, Anne; Opsahl, Toril; Solarek-Gliniewicz, Magdalena; Svennevig, Jan & Szymanska, Oliwia [Show all 7 contributors for this article] (2021). Hva hemmer og fremmer kommunikasjon mellom nordmenn og polakker? Utrop - Norges første flerkulturelle avis.
  • Szymanska, Oliwia (2020). Verke, banke, murre, skjære, synkope og prolaps. Dypdykk i symptombeskrivelse - workshop med fokus på helserelatert ordforråd.
  • Szymanska, Oliwia (2020). Et par ord om kompleksiteten av sykehusuniverset. Innføring i helsenorsk og utfordringer for andrespråksbrukere.
  • Opsahl, Toril & Golden, Anne (2020). Limited by stereotypes? Learning Norwegian as a Pole.
  • Solarek-Gliniewicz, Magdalena (2020). Samhandling ved konsultasjoner i spesialisthelsetjenesten i Norge. Erfaringer fra Tolkesentalen.

View all works in Cristin

Tags: Multilingual ideologies and language policies, Multilingual language practices, Multilingual competence
Published Mar. 16, 2020 1:58 PM - Last modified Nov. 8, 2022 3:37 PM

Participants

Detailed list of participants