The French Language: identity, diversity and changing environments. Lecture 2 Michaelmas term 2012 Personal and group identity: the use of French by immigrants

Immigration in Francophone Europe A brief history: A brief history: Early years of the C19th: much of the ‘immigrant’ workforce in Paris and other urban centres came from rural areas of the Hexagon or from neighbouring parts of Belgium. Early years of the C19th: much of the ‘immigrant’ workforce in Paris and other urban centres came from rural areas of the Hexagon or from neighbouring parts of Belgium. Later years of C19th: an influx from southern and eastern Europe into France. Later years of C19th: an influx from southern and eastern Europe into France.

First generation 1950’s and 1960’s: new wave of immigration from North Africa and Iberian peninsula. 1950’s and 1960’s: new wave of immigration from North Africa and Iberian peninsula.

Second generation Born in Europe. Born in Europe. Language and identity: there are striking contrasts between this group and their parents. Language and identity: there are striking contrasts between this group and their parents.

INSEE statistics (2008) estimated that 11.8 million immigrants and their direct descendants (second and third generation) lived in France (19% of total population) (2008) estimated that 11.8 million immigrants and their direct descendants (second and third generation) lived in France (19% of total population) About 5.5 million are of European origin and 4 million of Maghrebi origin. About 5.5 million are of European origin and 4 million of Maghrebi origin.

Principal places of origin of immigrants Portugal Portugal Italy Italy Spain Spain Algeria Algeria Morocco Morocco Tunisia Tunisia Turkey Turkey Sub-Saharan Africa Sub-Saharan Africa

The first generation of immigrants The first generation: The first generation: Arrived in Europe as adults therefore are far from being native francophones. (handout section 1) Arrived in Europe as adults therefore are far from being native francophones. (handout section 1)

First generation immigrants These excerpts are just two from a range of possible examples. These excerpts are just two from a range of possible examples. The degree of code-switching varies greatly from one individual to another. The degree of code-switching varies greatly from one individual to another.

First generation immigrants Overall proficiency in French also varies greatly from one individual to another. Overall proficiency in French also varies greatly from one individual to another. (see section 2, handout) (see section 2, handout)

First generation immigrants Attitudes and ambitions are also crucial in increasing or inhibiting motivation for language learning. Attitudes and ambitions are also crucial in increasing or inhibiting motivation for language learning.

First generation immigrants Wide variation in the extent to which periodic short visits are made to the home country (e.g. more to Iberian peninsular than to North Africa) Wide variation in the extent to which periodic short visits are made to the home country (e.g. more to Iberian peninsular than to North Africa)

First generation immigrants In an attempt to maintain their ‘difference’, some immigrants may prefer to use French as little as possible, or deliberately conserve a strong accent. In an attempt to maintain their ‘difference’, some immigrants may prefer to use French as little as possible, or deliberately conserve a strong accent.

First generation immigrants Making an appropriate selection from the various attitudinal and environmental factors mentioned so far, and adding any others that occur to you, produce your own portrait of: Making an appropriate selection from the various attitudinal and environmental factors mentioned so far, and adding any others that occur to you, produce your own portrait of: An immigrant who makes average progress in acquiring proficiency in French. An immigrant who makes average progress in acquiring proficiency in French. An immigrant whose progress is above average. An immigrant whose progress is above average.

First generation immigrants: informational vs expressive functions Use of French tends to be restricted to the relatively impersonal informational functions (e.g. for work, social security, shopping etc) Use of French tends to be restricted to the relatively impersonal informational functions (e.g. for work, social security, shopping etc) Expressive function: native language Expressive function: native language (See section 3 of handout) (See section 3 of handout)