International adoption of children: sociolinguistic perspectives
Under the direction of Sylvie Wharton
Jury: M. CHRISTIAN OLLIVIER – Univ. La Réunion M. FRÉDÉRIC TUPIN – Univ. La Réunion M. MÉDÉRIC GASQUET-CYRUS – AMU Mme SOFIA STRATILAKI – Univ. du Luxembourg Mme SYLVIE WHARTON – AMU
Abstract:
The international adoption often puts adopted children in a new linguistic situation. However, although sociolinguistic studies confirm that the role of the language of first socialization is essential in the social and educational integration of children in the context of migration, they have not yet examined the case of adopted children. This study is therefore the first sociolinguistic analysis of adoptions. The research proposed here was carried out in collaboration with the Marseille comitee of the French Confederation for Adoption (COFA). Using a qualitative and ethnographic approach, I conducted a field study on international adoption by focusing on adoptive families, adoption intermediaries and health and education professionals involved in the care of children. This work identifies the sociolinguistic issues inherent to international adoption. This work also characterizes the role of different agents in the language development of adopted children.
