Does emotive and evaluative language in online migrant narratives reinforce positive migrant stereotypes within host societies? An exploratory analysis

Abstract

Migration is predominantly represented negatively within host societies’ public discourses. However, positive (stereotypical) images of migrants are also produced, resulting in what may be considered powerful, socially sanctioned constructions of ‘good migrants’. Discourse studies have detected positive evaluations in media discourse when positive economic effects brought about by migrant workers are mentioned. More broadly, social science research has identified cultural similarity, hard work, loyalty to the host society, suffering, victimhood, a history of forced migration and, partly, refugee or legal immigrant status as elements associated with more positive attitudes towards migrants. Stories of migrant experiences potentially problematise and offer alternatives to dominant representations; at the same time, however, they may reproduce ‘good migrant’ stereotypes for self-legitimation purposes. This study draws on a small dataset of online English-language first-person migrant narratives (written or in video transcript form) from five different document series, to compare the discursive constructions of migrants they offer through their use of evaluative language – Appraisal, and in particular Attitude – with positive stereotypical constructions held by host societies. The approach adopted (combining qualitative annotation with quantitative analyses) reveals that while features consistent with some stereotypes appear in several narratives and in all document series, they are never used in a discriminatory way, and can be balanced by stereotype-divergent elements.