Language and Hospitality. The Function of Language in Shaping a Welcoming Setting

Abstract

“The invitation, the hospitality, the giving of accommodation, they pass through the language or through addressing to the other”, Derrida writes. The paper is inspired by this statement and by reflections related to daily practice with migrants, in institutional and/or not formal settings. We focus on the actions to be carried out to improve the welcoming practices, in the linguistic field (verbal and non verbal level) and in the social and legal support areas. We think we need an ever greater intertwining and dialogue between the various contexts that the migrant crosses, i.g. schools, information desks, NGO, institutional services.