Giuseppe Formato

In this interview for the Centre for Research and Studies in Sociology’s (Iscte - Lisbon University Institute) Emigration Observatory’s Conversations With, conducted by sociologist Liliana Azevedo, Dr. Giuseppe Formato reflects on his background as a heritage speaker and how it shaped his research on Portuguese language learners  of Azorean descent in Southeastern New England. He discusses the emotional and identity-based motivations of heritage learners, the challenges posed by standardized language teaching, and the need to recognize the pluricentric and diasporic realities of Portuguese. The conversation highlights how language, memory, and migration intersect in shaping belonging across generations.