Linguistic Attitudes and Identity Construction among English-Speaking Digital Nomads and Expats in Pirenópolis/Goiânia

The rise of remote work and digital nomadism has created new patterns of mobility, bringing English-speaking professionals to emerging destinations in Brazil’s interior. This study examines how linguistic attitudes toward Portuguese and English shape identity construction among digital nomads and expatriates in Pirenópolis and Goiânia, Goiás. Drawing on sociolinguistic theory, linguistic landscape analysis, and identity studies, this research employs a mixed-methods approach combining surveys (N=156), ethnographic observations, and linguistic landscape documentation. Findings reveal that English functions as a lingua franca within expatriate communities, while Portuguese proficiency becomes a marker of local integration and identity transformation. Digital nomads construct fluid, transnational identities that privilege cosmopolitan English-speaking selves, whereas long-term expatriates develop hybrid identities through Portuguese language acquisition. The linguistic landscape of Pirenópolis reflects this duality, with tourist-oriented spaces displaying bilingual signage while local community spaces remain predominantly Portuguese. This study contributes to understanding how mobility, language, and identity intersect in contemporary globalized contexts, offering insights for language policy, tourism development, and integration strategies in emerging nomad destinations.

Keywords: linguistic attitudes, identity construction, digital nomads, expatriates, English as a lingua franca, Portuguese language, linguistic landscape, transnationalism.