Napoli multilingue. Lingue migrate negli spazi della città

This study examines the role of linguistic practices in the integration processes of migrants in urban contexts, focusing on Naples. Drawing on sociolinguistic interviews and language portraits from 58 first-generation migrants from the Sri Lankan and Ukrainian communities, the article explores how language functions as a symbolic marker of inclusion. The findings reveal contrasting relationships with Italian and the Neapolitan dialect: Sri Lankan migrants tend to prioritize standard Italian, viewed as essential for entering the labor market, while many Ukrainians adopt the local dialect as a sign of belonging and social participation. Linguistic integration thus emerges as not only a communicative act but also a spatial and relational process. In Naples, inclusion is expressed through different languages: for Ukrainians, it “speaks” in dialect; for Sri Lankans, in Italian.1826685