Evaluating generations in a transnational social field

Using research on the British Bangladeshi community in London that from my Dphil research, I will examine the notion of a 'second and third generation' of British Bangladeshis and the extent to which young British Bangladeshis continue to engage in transnational behaviour. A British Bangladeshi transnational community is now well established both in the UK and in Sylhet. Transnational practices maintain links between the two locations. British Bangladeshi patterns of marriage, for example, interrupt the idea of a neat progression of gradually 'more British' generations. Transnational practices are fuelled by communication and travel which are now cheaper and easier than ever. However we define a British Bangladeshi community, there is still a stark divide between the two principal locations in this community. How these issues and practices translate into beliefs and a sense of belonging is variable and unpredictable. I will engage with debates from the US about transnationalism, assimilation and the 'second generation'. Specifically, the transnational social fields approach used by Levitt and Glick Schiller (2004) and Glick Schiller and Fouron (2002) to British Bangladeshis in order to critique the idea of immigrant generations.