Language, Identity and Conflict

6 Language and ethnic frontiers

Introduction

In many parts of contemporary Europe, language can be seen to transcend the socio-political and ethnic dichotomies which were so characteristic of modern relationships between language, identity and conflict. This is not to suggest the emergence of the ‘still centre’ sought after by some who meditate upon the troubled condition of much inter-ethnic contact. Rather, it is argued that this is, in part, the result of the different ethnic groups seeking identification with the language which facilitate and reinforce senses of belonging, place and authenticity. The closer analysis of these powerful identifications shows that the outline of such socio-cultural flows may be traced in the different parts of ...