Translanguaging, identity negotiations and cross-cultural communication: the Kiezdeutsch community in Germany and second generations in Northern Italy

This chapter investigates two case studies which involve second generations in Germany and Northern Italy: the Kiezdeutsch community in Berlin and second generation migrants living in the Veneto. A core question which will be addressed is what role the language plays in building self-identity, creating otherness or, on the contrary, establishing a positive relationship with the main culture of the country in which these young people live. It will turn out that, despite an evident asymmetry in the approach adopted by the two communities and the diverse goals which are pursued by the two groups through their attitude towards the others, the language is a key-factor for these young people to find their own dimension in the society. Consequently, it will also be explored to what extent the mastering of more than one language and therefore deliberate translanguaging impacts on cross-, inter- and even intracultural communication, with different results for the two case studies.