Philosophiae Doctor - PhD / This thesis is an exploration of the historical, socio-cultural, economic, and political settings in which identities are negotiated and performed among Cameroonian immigrants in Cape Town. Focusing on language as localized practices and different interaction regimes, the thesis investigates how Cameroonian immigrants maintain and reconfigure the Anglophone/Francophone identity options in novel and hybrid ways. In addition, the study examines how ideologies favouring different languages are reproduced and challenged in translocal and transnational discourses. Guided by the poststructuralist theories the thesis explores the stance that reality is socially constructed, based on symbolic and material structural limitations that are challenged and maintained in interaction. That is, whatever we do or believe in, is supported by some historical or cultural frames of meanings in our lived world, which often gives room to some manoeuvre to do things in a new way. The study adopts a multiplex interpretive approach to data collection. This entails a qualitative sociolinguistic approach where interviews, discussion and observations at different socio-economic places namely; meetings, workplaces, homes, restaurants, drinking spots and many sites from all over Cape Town, were explored. The study suggests that Cameroonians have a multiplicity of identity options, which are manifested and negotiated performatively through language, dress code, song, food, business, and other practices that comprise their lifestyles. These identities are translocal and transnational in nature, and tend to blend South African, Cameroonian, and even American traits. It is also suggests that the different identity options which they manifest are highly mobile, enabling Cameroonians to fit into South African social structures as well as the Cameroonian ways of doing things. Additionally, the multiplicity of identities that Cameroonians manifest, blur the fault-line between Anglophone/Francophone identities. It is evident from the study that hybridity and the reconstruction practices are not only confined to languages. Hybridity also extends to discourse orders especially in terms of how meetings are conducted. The Cameroonian meetings captured through the activities of Mifi Association and CANOWACAT are characterised by ‘disorder of discourse’ in which both formal and informal versions of English and French are used separately or as amalgams alongside CPE and their national languages, not only in side talks, but also when contributing to the meeting proceedings. Ultimately, the study concludes that Cameroonians are social actors making up an indispensable part of the social interaction in the Cape Town Diaspora. Just as they influence the languages, the entrepreneurial practices, and spaces in which they interact, the Cameroonian immigrants are also transformed. The major contribution of the study is that it adds to the recent debates about the nature of multilingualism and identities in late modern society. It emphasises that languages and identities are fluid, complex, and unstable. The distinction or boundaries between the various languages in multilingual practices are also not as clear-cut. This leads to a reframing of voice and actor hood as meaning is constructed across translocal and transnational contexts and domains in a networked world transformed by the mobility of endless flows of information, goods, ideas, and people. Thus, the study contributes to those arguing for a paradigm shift in sociolinguistic theory in which language is not a property of groups, nor is it an autonomous and bounded system fixed in time and space. Thus, identities, languages and the spaces of interaction are not fixed systems; identities, languages, and spaces are dynamic and in a state of flux. This in turn questions the notions of multilingualism and language itself, as well as the veracity of concepts such as code-switching, speech community, language variation, as the search for a sociolinguistic framework that can deal with phenomena predicated by motion, instability, and uncertainty, continues. / South Africa

Activists contesting urban neoliberalism are traveling to participate in struggles beyond their place of residence. They are sharing, teaching and advising activists from other struggles. They are also promoters of specific imaginaries and strategies of contestation. I refer to this phenomenon as translocal urban activism, a type of brokerage that aims to draw global connections among local political movements and a global activist network. By the analysis of the translocal practices against gentrification of the Spanish art collective Left Hand Rotation in Latin America, I direct the discussion to identify the mechanisms whereby translocal urban activism shapes the geography of urban movements against gentrification, and to examine how translocal urban activism contributes to the reproduction of and resistance against neoliberal ideas, values, and practices. I argue that power geometries within translocal urban activists, tend to nurture the global activist network with dominant imaginaries and practices, eclipsing other alternatives.

Cette thèse en géographie politique et culturelle s’inscrit au sein des approches critiques de mobilités et des migrations et des études sur le genre et les sexualités. Centrée sur les individues, elle vise à éclairer la double face cachée de l’expatriation en s’intéressant au rapport à l’espace de femmes en situation de mobilité internationale, à travers l’analyse de leurs pratiques du quotidien. Elle étudie la façon dont ces pratiques translocales s’agencent, de façon multiscalaire, en un mode de vie dans la mobilité. La dimension du corps, échelle de pratique spatiale et surface d’inscription des normes de sexe et de genre, y est posée de façon centrale, autour de la notion de performance, dans la (re)production d’un espace transnational localisé. Cet angle dévoile l’expatriation comme une pratique de mobilité distinctive, oscillant entre contrainte de genre et émancipation, tout en prenant part à la reproduction et à la diffusion de l’hétéronormativité dans un contexte d’essor de la mondialisation. La méthodologie de la thèse repose sur une enquête ethnographique approfondie mêlant observation participante et entretiens semi-directifs dans un souci constant de réflexivité et en articulation avec une analyse de données statistiques et la présentation d’un large panorama de structures et lieux expatriés en présence. Basée à Luxembourg, capitale en métropolisation émergente, cette thèse se présente comme une étude de cas élargie invitant à prendre en compte les expériences subjectives de la mondialisation. / Positioned in both critical mobility and migration studies, and studies on gender and sexualities, this PhD dissertation in political and cultural geography aims at unveiling the hidden double face of expatriation. For one part, it focuses on women’s daily practices during their international mobility cycle. It thus examines how these translocal practices fit within a multiscale mobility lifestyle. For another part, it places the body as the primary space of the analysis through the concept of performance. It shows of expatriate women play out specific sexual and gender norms and roles that contribute to the (re)production of a localised transnational space. This research seeks to reveal expatriation as a distinctive mobility practice, weaving from gender coercion to emancipation, which contributes to the reproduction and the spread of heteronormativity in a context of growing globalisation. It is settled in Luxembourg, which can be characterised as an emerging metropolitan capital, where the subjective experience of globalisation can be felt. Methodologically speaking, this thesis is based on in-depth reflexive ethnographic researches, combining participant observations and semi-structured interviews, in articulation with a statistical analysis and a large panorama of Luxembourg's expatriate places and institutions.

Rural-urban migration has been increasing and is commonly seen in northern cities of Mexico.  Indigenous students do not always have opportunities to receive higher education in their communities, and therefore migrate to urban areas. After migrating they can face certain challenges navigating the urban lifestyle. With the help of the translocality concept, this study employed a questionnaire and semi-structured interviews to explore the reason behind five indigenous students' migration and their experiences of different translocal circumstances. The results and analysis indicated that the students had both similar and different experiences in the various translocal arenas. The analysis showed the reasons behind the students’ migration were often linked to educational opportunities, but they also expressed different aspirations and plans for the future Further, adjusting to their new city environment proved to be challenging. They experienced both a negative and positive sense of place in Monterrey, but Mision del Nayar, the university and other indigenous students helped them feel a sense of belonging. The experiences the students had in the different translocal arenas shaped their narrative, and hence, impacted their sense of place and sense of belonging. Lastly, the students experienced translocal identities on a daily basis. / Migration från landsbygd till städer har ökat och har blivit vanligare i norra städer i Mexiko. Studenter från ursprungsbefolkningar har inte alltid tillgång till högre utbildning i sina samhällen och migrerar därför till stadsområden. Efter migrationen kan de genomgå vissa utmaningar med att navigera sig i den urbana livsstilen. Med hjälp av translokalitetskonceptet tillämpade denna studie ett frågeformulär och semistrukturerade intervjuer för att undersöka orsakerna till fem inhemska studenters migration och deras erfarenheter av olika translokala omständigheter. Resultatet och analysen tydde på att studenterna hade både liknande och olika upplevelser i de olika translokala arenorna. Analysen visade att anledningarna till studenternas migration ofta var kopplade till utbildningsmöjligheter, men de uttryckte också olika ambitioner och planer inför framtiden. Vidare visade sig anpassningen till deras nya stadsmiljö vara utmanande. De upplevde både en negativ och positiv känsla av plats i Monterrey, men Mision del Nayar, universitetet och andra inhemska studenter hjälpte dem också att känna tillhörighet. De erfarenheter som studenterna hade av de olika translokala arenorna formade deras berättelse och påverkade därmed deras känsla av plats och känsla av tillhörighet. Avslutningsvis påvisade studien att studenterna dagligen upplevde translokala identiteter.

In February 2022 Russia’s invasion of Ukraine started the war that would lead to the largest refugee crisis in Europe since World War II. In response to the war, SWAN, the Swedish Artists Residency Network, initiated the project Emergency residencies. During 2022, the network’s artist residencies opened up to provide safety for Ukrainian artists fleeing the war. Through an ethnographic case study and in-depth interviews, this thesis explores the experiences of four Ukrainian musicians in times of war and displacement, that took part of the Emergency residencies. It also investigates the function of SWAN’s Emergency residencies for musicians facing forced migration. The purpose is to shed light on the experience of musicians in a refugee position and the residency as a space that may contribute to uphold music-making and musical labour for refugee artists.   This thesis uses a transdisciplinary approach. It draws on notions of music as an emotional resource, music becoming political, and theoretical concepts regarding identity, belonging, and detachment, as well as translocality and transcultural capital. SWAN’s Emergency residencies is shown to provide several benefits for musicians displaced during Russia’s war on Ukraine. It includes the contribution of economic resources, opportunities for artistic practice and development, and promotion of cultural understanding and social inclusion. It also suggests that typical benefits provided by artist residencies gain added value for artists experiencing war and displacement, as it answers to losses typically experienced in forced migration. The war and refugee position are embedded in the daily experience of musicians facing war and displacement. This thesis suggests that musicians can use various strategies to either enforce, dismiss, expand or change the view of their prescribed identity in relation to the war and the refugee position. A Ukrainian identity is enhanced to show pride of their country, create awareness of Ukraine’s situation or foster a sense of belonging. Music can also be used to detach from positions and preconceptions surrounding such labels and connections, either through performing other identities or releasing from all categories. Furthermore, music and music-making can act as an emotional resource that helps regulate emotions or become a vehicle for political mobilisation and support for Ukraine. The politicisation of music is also actualised by the refugee position in itself and public perceptions of such positions. Transcultural capital highlights the capacities and strategies of musicians to create various economic, cultural and social opportunities through links to both their host and home country.

Esta etnografia multissituada analisa três polos carnavalescos distintos, a partir dos circuitos de trocas estabelecidos entre eles. O principal objetivo da tese é o de compreender como as diferentes configurações culturais nos carnavais de Escolas de Samba do Rio de Janeiro, da Região dos Pampas (em três cidades, Uruguaiana no extremo sul do Brasil, Paso de Los Libres na Argentina e Artigas no Uruguai) e de uma Escola de Samba no carnaval de Notting Hill (Londres/UK) se comunicam e se envolvem em relações de interculturalidade, globalismo e hibridismo entre carnavais. As relações entre os carnavais possibilitam a disseminação de suas produções de cunho competitivo, a circulação de pessoas e objetos que cruzam fronteiras, baseadas nas dimensões da translocalidade. Esses carnavais se entrelaçam e dialogam com o carnaval carioca em circuitos de trocas e negociações, promovendo encontros, conexões, intensa circulação de profissionais, fluxos de materiais, conhecimentos e saberes entre seus contextos locais. / This multi-sited ethnography analyzes three distinct carnival poles, through the exchanges circuits established among them. The main purpose of the thesis is to comprehend how the different cultural configurations in carnivals of Samba Schools of Rio de Janeiro, the Pampas region (in three cities, Uruguaiana in southern Brazil, Paso de Los Libres in Argentina and Artigas in Uruguay) and a Samba School in the Notting Hill Carnival (London/UK) communicate and involve themselves in intercultural relations, globalism and hybridism between carnivals. The relations among the carnivals allow the dissemination of their competitive productions, the circulation of persons and objects that cross borders, based on the dimension of translocality. These carnivals are intertwined and dialogue with the Rio carnival in exchanging and negotiating circuits, promoting encounters, connections, intense professionals circulation, material flows, knowledge and expertise between among its local contexts.

Esta etnografia multissituada analisa três polos carnavalescos distintos, a partir dos circuitos de trocas estabelecidos entre eles. O principal objetivo da tese é o de compreender como as diferentes configurações culturais nos carnavais de Escolas de Samba do Rio de Janeiro, da Região dos Pampas (em três cidades, Uruguaiana no extremo sul do Brasil, Paso de Los Libres na Argentina e Artigas no Uruguai) e de uma Escola de Samba no carnaval de Notting Hill (Londres/UK) se comunicam e se envolvem em relações de interculturalidade, globalismo e hibridismo entre carnavais. As relações entre os carnavais possibilitam a disseminação de suas produções de cunho competitivo, a circulação de pessoas e objetos que cruzam fronteiras, baseadas nas dimensões da translocalidade. Esses carnavais se entrelaçam e dialogam com o carnaval carioca em circuitos de trocas e negociações, promovendo encontros, conexões, intensa circulação de profissionais, fluxos de materiais, conhecimentos e saberes entre seus contextos locais. / This multi-sited ethnography analyzes three distinct carnival poles, through the exchanges circuits established among them. The main purpose of the thesis is to comprehend how the different cultural configurations in carnivals of Samba Schools of Rio de Janeiro, the Pampas region (in three cities, Uruguaiana in southern Brazil, Paso de Los Libres in Argentina and Artigas in Uruguay) and a Samba School in the Notting Hill Carnival (London/UK) communicate and involve themselves in intercultural relations, globalism and hybridism between carnivals. The relations among the carnivals allow the dissemination of their competitive productions, the circulation of persons and objects that cross borders, based on the dimension of translocality. These carnivals are intertwined and dialogue with the Rio carnival in exchanging and negotiating circuits, promoting encounters, connections, intense professionals circulation, material flows, knowledge and expertise between among its local contexts.

Esta etnografia multissituada analisa três polos carnavalescos distintos, a partir dos circuitos de trocas estabelecidos entre eles. O principal objetivo da tese é o de compreender como as diferentes configurações culturais nos carnavais de Escolas de Samba do Rio de Janeiro, da Região dos Pampas (em três cidades, Uruguaiana no extremo sul do Brasil, Paso de Los Libres na Argentina e Artigas no Uruguai) e de uma Escola de Samba no carnaval de Notting Hill (Londres/UK) se comunicam e se envolvem em relações de interculturalidade, globalismo e hibridismo entre carnavais. As relações entre os carnavais possibilitam a disseminação de suas produções de cunho competitivo, a circulação de pessoas e objetos que cruzam fronteiras, baseadas nas dimensões da translocalidade. Esses carnavais se entrelaçam e dialogam com o carnaval carioca em circuitos de trocas e negociações, promovendo encontros, conexões, intensa circulação de profissionais, fluxos de materiais, conhecimentos e saberes entre seus contextos locais. / This multi-sited ethnography analyzes three distinct carnival poles, through the exchanges circuits established among them. The main purpose of the thesis is to comprehend how the different cultural configurations in carnivals of Samba Schools of Rio de Janeiro, the Pampas region (in three cities, Uruguaiana in southern Brazil, Paso de Los Libres in Argentina and Artigas in Uruguay) and a Samba School in the Notting Hill Carnival (London/UK) communicate and involve themselves in intercultural relations, globalism and hybridism between carnivals. The relations among the carnivals allow the dissemination of their competitive productions, the circulation of persons and objects that cross borders, based on the dimension of translocality. These carnivals are intertwined and dialogue with the Rio carnival in exchanging and negotiating circuits, promoting encounters, connections, intense professionals circulation, material flows, knowledge and expertise between among its local contexts.

Die Dissertationsarbeit ist der Erforschung des Phänomens der Transformation der urbanen und lokalen Identität im Rahmen des Migrationsprozesses nach dem Zerfall der UdSSR gewidmet. 1. Einer der wichtigsten Fokusse der Forschung ist die vergleichende Geschichte der Entwicklung der drei Städte - Sankt-Petersburg (Russland), Odessa (Ukraine) und Baku (Aserbaidschan), die als Räume im Kontext urbaner Gesellschaft und Habitus konstruiert wurden. Der wichtigste geschichtliche Zeitraum ist mit der Europäisierung des Russischen Reichs verbunden. Dieser Faktor bestimmt weitgehend die Spezifität des urbanen Habitus (Lebensraum). 2. Der zweite Fokus liegt auf der urbanen Gesellschaft der Bürger*innen Sank-Petersburgs, Odessas und Bakus. Zur Zeit hat die jeweilige Gesellschaft in ihren Heimatstädten, nachdem sie massive Auswanderungen und den Zustrom von Menschen aus anderen Städten oder ruralen Räumen erlebt hat, einen Teil ihres Einflusses sowie ihrer dominanten Position verloren. Aber in diesem Kontext der Verluste, haben die Mitglieder der urbanen Gesellschaft, auch durch die rasante Entwicklung der digitalen Kommunikation die Möglichkeit erhalten, transnationale Netzwerke zu entwickeln. 3. Der dritte wichtige Fokus liegt auf den sozialen Netzwerken der Bürger*innen von St. Petersburg, Odessa und Baku in Deutschland, u.a. in Berlin. Sowie auf der Institution – „Urban Clubs“, die von Aktivist*innen der urbanen Gesellschaft im Rahmen der Jüdischen Gemeinde Berlin, Anfang der 2000er gegründet wurden. Die Praxis der Netzwerk- und Vereinsgründung ermöglicht es Migrant*innen, auf symbolische Weise ihre gewohnten Lebensbedingungen zu rekonstruieren und bestimmt so die Besonderheit ihrer Integration in die deutsche Aufnahmegesellschaft. Eine solche Studie erlaubt es, die innere Vielfalt einer sich als „russischsprachige Juden“ definierenden Gruppe zu beschreiben. Zusätzlich trägt sie auch dazu bei, die Diskussion über die Prinzipien der Integrationspolitik in Deutschland anzuregen. / This dissertation is devoted to the study of the transformation of urban local identity in the context of migration processes after the collapse of the USSR. 1. It offers a comparative history of the development of St Petersburg (Russia), Odessa (Ukraine) and Baku (Azerbaijan) as socio-cultural spaces, within which urban communities were created and urban habitus was designed. The most important period in their history is connected with Europeanisation of the Russian Empire. This history largely determines the specificity of the cities’ urban habitus, respectively. 2. Research is focused on the urban communities of Petersburgers, Odessites, and Bakuvians, which are presently experiencing mass emigration and an influx of population from other cities or rural areas. These communities remaining in their hometowns have lost some influence and status, but in the context of this loss, and due to the rapid development of digital communications, members of these urban communities have also created transnational networks. The city clubs established in St. Petersburg, Odessa and Baku in 1990-1991 have played a special role in creating such networks. Specifics of the communities and their urban habitus have been studied in parallel with the research concerning urban club activities. 3. Social networking practices of members of these urban communities are studied, with focus on immigrants in Germany, and Berlin in particular. Club creation practices allow migrants to symbolically reconstruct familiar living conditions and define the specifics of their integration into the host community (in Germany). Such research makes it possible to describe the internal diversity of the group defined as Russian-speaking Jews, and contributes to discussion about integration policy principles. / Диссертация посвящена исследованию феномена трансформации городской локальной идентичности в контексте миграционных процессов, развивавшихся после распада СССР. Исследование проводилось на трех уровнях и четырех городах и странах. 1. Один из важнейших фокусов исследования - это сравнительная история развития трех городов: Санкт-Петербург (Россия), Одесса (Украина) и Баку (Азербайджан), как социо-культурных пространств в рамках которых создавались городские сообщества и конструировались городские габитусы. Все три города играли разную, но особенную роль в истории Российской империи, а позже СССР. Данное обстоятельство во многом определяет специфику городских габитусов. 2. Один из основных фокусов исследования был направлен на городские сообщества петербуржцев, одесситов и бакинцев. В настоящий момент пережив массовую эмиграцию и приток населения из других городов или сельской местности, эти сообщества в родных городах утратили определенную часть влияния и доминирующие позиции. Но в этом контексте утрат, а также в связи с быстрым развитием цифровых коммуникаций, члены этих городских сообществ приобрели возможность конструирования транснациональных сетей. Институтами играющими особенную роль в создании таких сетей стали городские клубы, созданные в 1990-1991 годах в Петербурге, Одессе и Баку. 3. Третий основной фокус - социальные сети петербуржцев, одесситов и бакинцев в Германии, и в Берлине в частности. А также институты - "городские клубы", создававшиеся активистами этих городских сообщества в рамках Еврейской общины Берлина. Практики создания сетей и клубов позволяют мигрантам проводить символическую реконструкцию комфортных условий для проживания и определяют специфику процесса их интеграции в принимающее сообщество (в Германии).