Language organization in an industrial cluster. Silent romanian immigration in the furniture cluster of Montsià (Catalunya)

Abstract

This paper presents the results of a research project on the linguistic and cultural integration of Romanians in an industrial cluster in Catalonia. Fieldwork was undertaken in the area of Montsià (a semi-rural location in southern Catalonia). The furniture firms located there form a cluster of specialised, complementary and labour intensive companies. The use of a foreign labour force (Romanians) that accepts low work and employment standards is the basis of the competitiveness of the cluster. Spanish and Catalan are learnt not because of production or job requirements but because they are assets for integration in the local community.

Keywords

• Organización lingüística
• clústeres industriales
• inmigración rumana
• lengua catalana