Language at Work: The Impact of Linguistic Enclaves on Immigrant Economic Integration

Monica Boyd, University of Toronto

This study examines the relationship between language enclaves and the economic integration of immigrants, paying particular attention to the earnings of immigrants. Two core questions are asked: 1) What factors influence the likelihood of employment in linguistic enclaves; and 2) What are the impacts of working in linguistic enclaves on earnings? The analysis utilizes two relatively new census questions on languages used at work most often and regularly asked in the 2006 Canadian census. The investigation shows that levels of language proficiency are important factors determining the type of language enclave where individuals are employed. Further language at work mediates much of the observed impacts of language proficiency on earnings. Wage determination models also confirm that employment in linguistic enclaves conditions weekly earnings; immigrants who use non-official languages at work have lower wages than those who use only English at work.