Linguistic Identity Negotiations: Francophone African Migrant Women's Wellbeing in U.S. Educational and Healthcare Systems

This study explores the intricate ways in which language and identity influence the psychosocial well-being of Francophone African migrant women within U.S. educational and healthcare systems. Employing a mixed-methods approach that integrates ethnographic inquiry with textual analysis, the research uncovers systemic barriers such as linguistic discordance, cultural stigma, and institutional biases that contribute to social isolation, reduced self-efficacy, and heightened psychological distress. Through semi-structured interviews with 20 participants and analysis of policy documents, findings reveal negotiation strategies like translanguaging and cultural storytelling that foster resilience and agency. The study extends prior feminist critiques, such as those examining economic invisibility in African women's narratives, to highlight intersectional challenges faced by migrants. Implications include recommendations for multilingual policies and culturally competent training to promote equity and integration.