Languages in Tension: Hierarchies and Belonging in a Multicultural Beauty Salon

Abstract

This ethnographic study explores the sociolinguistic dynamics in a beauty salon run by a Moroccan-origin owner, where Dariya and Spanish function as markers of identification and social hierarchy. From the perspective of linguistic anthropology and critical sociolinguistics, translanguaging is analyzed not only as a communicative practice but as a strategy linked to power relations and symbolic capital. The study reveals that Spanish is associated with prestige and professional validation, while Dariya reinforces trust and community, although its use is conditioned by context and the presence of monolingual Spanish speakers. Furthermore, linguistic barriers not only affect communication but also contribute to processes of racialization and social devaluation. These findings position the salon as a microcosm where identifications are negotiated and tensions materialize, demonstrating how language regulates access to recognition and belonging in a multicultural setting.