Programme: accepted abstracts

Abstract ID: 286

Part of Session 158: Language biographies and migration experiences in urban contexts (Other abstracts in this session)

Linguistic Identity of German Huguenots

Authors: Thietz, Anne
Submitted by: Thietz, Anne (Universität Leipzig, Germany)

The starting point of my research is the assumption that language acts as a constitutive element constructing multiple identities (Schiffrin 1996, Bamberg et al. 2011). Facing postmodern research on identity including processes of globalisation, of pluralism and diversity, the construction of the self is linked to language which is not merely an instrument; it depends on language and language use, more precisely on narration (Franceschini et al. 2010). Drawing on my on-going thesis I reflect on the Model of multiple linguistic identity (Kresic 2006) to consolidate this new approach in the sociolinguistic theory. This interdisciplinary work is based on the integration of linguistics, psychology, philosophy and sociology to expand different theories of multiple identity and linguistic identity, emphasizing the idea of autobiographical narratives as the fundament in which identity constructions are created (Lucius-Hoene/Deppermann 2002). Due to the general agreement of the language’s relevance in individual biographies, the conception of language biographies emerges as a reasonable instrument to study identity constructions (Adamzik/Roos 2002). The reconstruction of narrative identities in sociolinguistic research has grown in the last years in favour of a focus on actual cases of migration and multilingualism (de Florio-Hansen/Hu 2007, Miecznikowski 2010). My source material is built up of the language biographical data of Huguenots in Germany, whose history of Diaspora offers a case of migration over 300 years ago. Their linguistic inconspicuousness these days enables the characterization of the general task that language fulfils when creating identities. When language is regarded as a constitutive element in the construction of postmodern identity my research project tries to make a contribution to elucidate the function of the French language in the descendant’s identity constructions and its perception in everyday social life. Language biographies also provide multifaceted possibilities to study individual evaluation of languages in different regions, cities and rural areas – including the research on historical, cultural and ideological circumstances in Germany – and the composition of Huguenot’s identity. The aim of my research work is a comparative survey of actual Huguenot’s identity constructions and the alternative development of an abstract model to describe linguistic identity.

References:

Adamzik, K./Roos, E. (Eds.) (2002): Biografie linguistiche. Neuchâtel: Institut de linguistique de l’Université de Neuchâtel: VII-XIV.

Bamberg, M. et al. (2011c): Discourse and identity construction. In Schwartz, S. et al. (Eds.): Handbook of identity theory and research. Berlin/New York: Springer: 177-199

De Florio-Hansen, I./Hu, A. (Eds.) (2007): Plurilingualität und Identität. Zur Selbst- und Fremdwahrnehmung mehrsprachiger Menschen. Tübingen: Stauffenburg: VII-XIV.

Franceschini, R. et al. (Eds.) (2010): Sprache und Biographie. LiLi. Stuttgart/Weimar:Metzler

Kresic, M. (2006): Sprache, Sprechen und Identität. Studien zur sprachlich-medialen Konstruktion des Selbst. München: IUDICUM

Lucius-Hoene, G./Deppermann, A. (2002): Rekonstruktion narrativer Identität. Ein Arbeitsbuch zur Analyse narrativer Interviews. Opladen: Leske/Budrich

Miecznikowski, J. (2010): Mehrsprachig leben und studieren. Die Sicht mehrsprachiger Migranten.... In: Franceschini, R. et al. (Eds.): Sprache und Biographie. Stuttgart/Weimar: Metzler: 129-150

Schiffrin, D. (1996): Narrative as self-portrait. Sociolinguistic constructions of identity. In: Language in Society 25. 167-203.

Sociolinguistics Symposium 19

Programme: accepted abstracts

Linguistic Identity of German Huguenots