THE PORTUGUESE MASS MIGRATION TO FRANCE Acculturation and Identity Formation Processes Among Second- Generation Portuguese Immigrants

Abstract

This study explores the experiences of second-generation Portuguese immigrants in France, who were part of a significant migration wave during the 1960s—70s. During this period, nearly one million Portuguese settled in France, making it the largest foreign community in France at that time. The research focuses on how the community constructs their cultural identities, balancing their Portuguese heritage with the influences of French society. Through in-depth semi-structured interviews, the research examines how family dynamics, educational experiences, and societal interactions shape cultural adaptation and identity formation. Applying the framework of acculturation theory by Ward and Geeraert (2016) and the tactics of intersubjectivity by Bucholtz and Hall (2005) to analyse the data, the findings revealed a complex interplay between maintaining heritage culture and integrating into French society. The findings underscore the dynamic and fluid nature of cultural identity among these immigrants, shaped significantly by familial pressures and positive support from local French institutions. This study contributes to the field of Intercultural Communication by providing a deep understanding of how second-generation immigrants negotiate dual cultural identities within a Western European context.