Perceiving communicative behavior as discriminatory: Tarifit and German speakers' experiences

This chapter explores how North African men in Germany discuss
perceived discrimination, focusing on group boundaries and affiliations
shaping responses to verbal discrimination. Analyzing a group conversation
with three North African and two German-background men, the study
examines how linguistic differences, including multilingual use, influence
communication dynamics and intergroup relations. Drawing on Commu-
nication Accommodation Theory (CAT) and critical intercultural
frameworks, it investigates linguistic adjustments and behaviors in multilingual
settings.
Findings indicate that group boundaries (ethnicity, language, social
status) impact discrimination perceptions and identity negotiations. Despite
shared multilingual competence, participants navigate asymmetries in
language proficiency, social prestige, and power dynamics, leading to
misunderstandings and nonaccommodation that reinforce stereotypes. The study
also highlights how stereotypes are contested, adapted, or subverted in
everyday communication, with some derogatory terms used as expressions
of solidarity.
The chapter emphasizes that nonaccommodation reflects deeper
linguistic, social, and power imbalances rather than mere misperceptions. It
advocates combining CAT and critical discourse analysis to better
understand intercultural communication in discrimination contexts. This dual
approach provides a broader conceptual toolkit, offering richer insights
into discrimination dynamics and the emotional impact of
nonaccommodative behaviors.