From the strange to the familiar: paths with otherness

Abstract

This contribution examines four effects of meaning involved by the interaction between identity and otherness : familiarity, non-familiarity, recognition and estrangement in the context of immigration in Brazil at different historical moments. E. Landowski’s interactional model serves as theoretical basis. Thus, it was observed that the effects of meaning are based on routine, manipulation, adjustment and accident. Moreover, it was reflected on the political consequences of each effect of meaning for the relationship between Brazilian society and immigrants, pointing to the preference for immigrants more familiar in cultural terms, as opposed to the segregation of immigrants whose culture caused greater estrangement.