Identitet i samspråk : Kodväxling till standardvarietet som risk och resurs i östnyländska samtal på dialekt
Year: 2014
Type: dissertation
Abstract: Identity in interaction. Code-switching from dialect to the standard as risk and resource in eastern Nyland The purpose of the study is to show how native dialect speakers with an advanced understanding of the standard variety utilize their double linguistic competence in conversations. The study also more generally sets out to deepen our understanding of dialect usage and of the dialects in eastern Nyland (Östra Nyland) in Finland. Language is closely related to identity. With the help of a variety of data investigated from a sociolinguistic and dialectal point of view and with primarily sociolinguistic methods, the study approaches the intersection of language and identity. ---- The material on which the analysis is based consists of colloquial conversations between members of informal groups during their in situ gatherings. The analysis was done inductively without pre-planned schedules, but with a focus on how code-switching from a non-standard dialect to the standard variety takes place. The particular method used is specified as discourse analysis inspired by conversation analytic insights. To the already abundant list of existing theoretical tools needed to analyze and understand the material gathered, I introduced an additional take on linguistic identity, a notion of silent identity. This additional dimension proved fundamental for a deeper understanding and analysis of the group conversations that made up the primary material. The analysis shows that switching codes between the non-standard and the standard varieties poses risks of ostracism in the social group at hand and a severe blow to ones self-esteem. By contrast, the capacity to code-switch also provides an important resource for the communication participants in a group, who through frequent code-switching can make use of their full linguistic knowledge and competence. The reference to a silent identity has the force to either strengthen the bonds between individuals and highlight their mutual connection, or to completely separate an individual from a group which inevitably results in a deeply felt (linguistic) shame on the part of the outsider. Keywords: identity, dialect, standard, code-switching, sociolinguistics, discourse analysis, linguistic competence, silent identity, shame.
Source: Työväentutkimus Vuosikirja
Author: Helena Maria Beatrice Palmén
Language: Swedish
Subfield: Linguistics and Language
Field: Social Sciences
Domain: Social Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W2127261962