Migration and social uses of facebook: An Approach to Senegalese Web Diaspora in Rio Grande do Sul

Abstract This article begins with a discussion about relations between network communication and transnational migration. The concept of webdiaspora is also presented. In the second part of the paper, four Facebook pages of Senegalese migrants living in Rio Grande do Sul are analyzed. In this work paper, Facebook is understood as part of migration dynamics, like a communication environment of identity affirmation. Likewise, Facebook is considered to be a meeting place of a diaspora that is organized in terms of associations for recognition policies in Brazil. The text is part of a communication research about TICs and migration dynamics between Senegal and Rio Grande do Sul.

摘要 本研究开篇首先探讨网络传播与跨国移民之间的内在关联，并阐释了网络侨民（webdiaspora）这一概念。本文第二部分，针对定居于巴西南里奥格兰德州（Rio Grande do Sul）的塞内加尔移民所运营的4个Facebook主页展开分析。本研究将Facebook视作移民动态的组成部分，将其作为身份认同确证的传播场域。同样地，Facebook也被视为巴西境内为争取政策认可、以协会形式组建的侨民社群的集会空间。本研究属于探讨信息通信技术（TICs）与塞内加尔至南里奥格兰德州移民动态的传播研究课题。