“This volume breaks new ground by focusing on Doings: a group of diverse researchers collaboratively doing close listening and looking over 20 years, as adult immigrants to Australia engage in doing life, things, words, family, and work in a new language. The result is not only new understandings of the participants’ self-making, but also the making of a new research trajectory that focuses not simply on the learning of a language, but on humanity doing life in language.” (Ofelia García, The Graduate Center, City University of New York)
“This is a moving book that represents the voices of migrants on their challenges and successes across different kinds of boundaries. It embodies impersonal structural and geopolitical pressures as negotiated in the dreams and aspirations of migrants. The authors share findings from decades-long separate research projects to develop richer insights, as a model for data sharing and ethical research.” (Suresh Canagarajah, Pennsylvania State University)
“Without any exaggeration this is one of the best books I’ve read in a long time. I am blown away by not only the variety of stories, but also how they are analyzed with keen insight and clear links to policy/planning, all without ever getting bogged down in academia-ese. I was even able to see myself in many of the stories, despite that I obviously came to Australia with both English background proficiency and the “non-immigrant” image you discuss in the text. Noting how others dealt with their experiences was eye-opening, and made me appreciate even further the hard work that goes in to joining a new community who speak a different language than you, or even a different English than the one you expect.” (Wes Robertson, Macquarie University)
“I wanted to congratulate the whole writing team for the fantastic book that you have written, that I enjoyed thoroughly! I loved the content, the structure, the style, and the new approach of data sharing, a real breakthrough. It is truly inspiring and has given me lots of food for thought for what I am currently working on.” (Antonia Rubino, Sydney University)
“The richness and comprehensiveness of the data and the use of longitudinal approach of the study, are particularly noteworthy. […] these achievements rely on the integration of data across six previous sociolinguistic ethnographies, which represent a significant methodological innovation for future ethnographic and anthropological studies. This data-sharing approach is not only adventurous and bold, but it also offers a valuable reference for researchers in cross-project, cross-field, and even cross-disciplinary collaborations, while also paving the way for the humanization and personalization of immigrant research.” (Changchun Li, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Bellaterra Journal of Teaching and Learning Languages and Literature)
“Piller et al. show that giving participants a greater role in determining the concepts and categories emphasized in research can give voice and texture to the lived experiences of language learners. […] empowering language communities to maintain their heritage language and giving participants a greater voice in research can help to subvert language hierarchies and lead to more harmonious relationships between language speakers.” (Michelle Tourbier, Journal of Multicultural Discourses)
“The book not only accomplishes what the authors aimed to achieve; to me, it is also exemplary on several grounds. First, it demonstrates how to bring together findings from multiple projects to construct a holistic picture of the research problem. Second, the book serves as a model for disseminating research findings to the public in a language field. Each chapter is written in simple, lucid, and everyday language, avoiding the typical academic practice of using in-text citations. The authors have broken the barriers in reaching policymakers and the public by presenting research findings in a way so people can enjoy and reflect on their reading and consider how they could facilitate the integration of migrants into the host society. Third, the team of researchers working under the leadership of Ingrid Piller provides an example of what can be called an ‘epistemic dwelling’ for nurturing knowledge and knowledge making. This dwelling shows not only how to cultivate knowledge in a particular field involving new and emerging researchers but also how to take knowledge out to the public. Finally, as noted by the authors, the book provides an innovative example of data sharing, reusing, and constructing big data in qualitative research following Open Science principles. Such practices of knowledge making and knowledge sharing can work towards addressing global divides in knowledge construction.” (M. Obaidul Hamid, University of Queensland, Language Policy)
“Together, these eight chapters provide a comprehensive and nuanced exploration of migrants’ experiences with language learning in Australia. By structuring the book around key themes – language learning, employment, family dynamics, discrimination, and sense of belonging – the authors effectively illustrate the multifaceted challenges migrants face. The book’s greatest strength is its use of rich, personal stories that humanise the participants – an impressive feat given that the data come from academic research work. The authors show an ability to balance individual narratives with critical analysis, highlighting systematic barriers while also acknowledging migrants’ agency and resilience. As the authors point out, this is a key advantage of ethnographic research as it brings personal narratives to the forefront. As ethnographers, we have a great responsibility to handle the stories entrusted to us with care and integrity. This book demonstrates that commitment.” (Nora Duggan, Stockholm University, Revista de Llengua i Dret/Journal of Language and Law)
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