DIGITAL TECHNOLOGIES AND THE RECONFIGURATION OF TRANSNATIONAL COMMUNICATION IN THE VALADARENSE MIGRATORY EXPERIENCE

Abstract

This article presents an analysis of the transnational communication process in light of the transformation brought about by digital technologies, focusing on human, subjective, and territorial dimensions. Adopting a qualitative approach and using the Oral History method, the empirical material consists of interviewswith two women, with family ties of mother and daughter, the daughter being the one who migrated to the United States in 2002 and the mother the one who remained living in Brazil, in Governador Valadares. The theoretical analysis integrates perspectives from the areas of communication, migration, and information technology through the approach of territorial studies. For the evaluation of the interviews, Content Analysis was applied, having as thematic categories the evolution of media in communication and the affective and emotional connection between mother and daughter. It was found, from the experience lived by the study participants, that the evolution of communication and digital technologies affected the migration experience, with beneficial changes in the emotional and social aspects of the bond between the interviewees. Currently, through digital technologies, it was observed that new relationships were established in the lived territories, with real-time interaction being part of the daily lives of both. Thus, the transformation of the communication process, from digital technologies, can provide a more accessible and updated relationship between the migrant and the family, enabling more frequent contacts.