Code-switching and multilingualism in public transport in Vienna: Perceptions and language-related behavior of speakers and listeners in public transport regarding feelings of comfort and safety

This study aims to examine language decisions and behavior and the feeling of security and comfort regarding multilingualism in public transport in Vienna. There are two dimensions that are examined in this work: people on public transport as speakers and as listeners.

Referring to the concept of Lived experience of language by Brigitta Busch and research findings about language and emotions, as well as theories about language ideologies and language regime, the study explores how and whether multilingual speakers with German as a non-L1 language and speakers with German as L1 decide to speak or not to speak a language on public transport, depending on different factors and situations. Further the attitude and immediate reaction of the participants as listeners to non-German languages in public transport are examined.

For these purposes qualitative semi-structured interviews were conducted and so far 7 users of public transport in Vienna were selected and interviewed. The transcripts are analyzed, and topics and subtopics are further explored. This study is a research in process and the findings of 5 interviews show that for people with migration background, the feelings of comfort/discomfort are very much associated to the languages spoken by themselves or others, whereas with German L1 speakers this seems to be less the case and neutral and ambivalent feelings seem to be more dominant. As listeners none of the participants claim to have had a negative attitude or feeling of discomfort towards a language, however the speakers with a migration background seem to be more conscious of their own behavior in that situation. Further, speakers with a migration background have mentioned more factors in their environment that can contribute to feelings of insecurity and discomfort.