The French Language: identity, diversity and changing environments. Lecture 1 Michaelmas term 2012 Introduction to Language and Identity

An introduction to language and identity Aims of this course: To illustrate the connections between language and identity To illustrate the connections between language and identity To examine the symbolic and ‘marking’ functions of language To examine the symbolic and ‘marking’ functions of language To examine the importance of the contextualisation of identity and different environments To examine the importance of the contextualisation of identity and different environments

Course outline French identity: the individual and the group (3 to 4 weeks) French identity: the individual and the group (3 to 4 weeks) Personal and social identity Personal and social identity Construction and maintenance of group identity Construction and maintenance of group identity Speech mobility in France Speech mobility in France Individual, regional and migrant identities in France Individual, regional and migrant identities in France

French language, ethnicity and nationalism (3 to 4 weeks) French language, ethnicity and nationalism (3 to 4 weeks) French language and ethnic identity French language and ethnic identity French language and nationalism French language and nationalism New French identities New French identities The language of French identity negotiation The language of French identity negotiation

French identity and computer-mediated communication. ( 3 to 4 weeks) French identity and computer-mediated communication. ( 3 to 4 weeks) Language and the construction of online identity Language and the construction of online identity The construction of new French identities online The construction of new French identities online The effects of digital media on the French language The effects of digital media on the French language

Lecture 1 French identity: the individual and the group

Reading for this week Edwards, J. (2009) Language and Identity. Cambridge, Cambridge University Press.: Introduction and Chapter 2 Edwards, J. (2009) Language and Identity. Cambridge, Cambridge University Press.: Introduction and Chapter 2

Introducing the concept of identity Paradoxical term: Latin root idem ‘the same’ However, the term implies both similarity and difference. How?

Introducing the concept of identity (1) Identity is unique to us (2) Identity also implies relationship(s) Examples?

Introducing the concept of identity Much of the debate around identity derives from the tension between these two aspects: Much of the debate around identity derives from the tension between these two aspects: self vs (multiple) identifications with others. self vs (multiple) identifications with others. ‘Who I am’ or ‘who I think I am’ also varies according to a number of factors: ‘Who I am’ or ‘who I think I am’ also varies according to a number of factors:

Concept of identity Concern with questions of identity is not a new development. Concern with questions of identity is not a new development. It has taken on a new urgency in the contemporary world. It has taken on a new urgency in the contemporary world.

Accounting for identities Psychological and sociological approaches. Psychological and sociological approaches.

Identity, the individual and the group Writings of Erik Erikson (1968) situated individual aspects of identity in their social contexts. Writings of Erik Erikson (1968) situated individual aspects of identity in their social contexts. Early 1980’s saw the appearance of important studies focusing on the linguistic aspects of identity: e.g. Gumperz (1982) and Le Page and Toubouret Keller (1985) Early 1980’s saw the appearance of important studies focusing on the linguistic aspects of identity: e.g. Gumperz (1982) and Le Page and Toubouret Keller (1985)

Identity, the individual and the group In more recent times: linguistic ethnography (Rampton et al, 2007) In more recent times: linguistic ethnography (Rampton et al, 2007) Assumption: contexts for communication should be investigated rather than assumed. Assumption: contexts for communication should be investigated rather than assumed.

Identity, the individual and the group Language can also be considered as a marker at the individual level. Language can also be considered as a marker at the individual level. e.g. idiolect e.g. idiolect It could be argued that even idiolectal usage is a social or group phenomenon because most language involves a communicative intent. It could be argued that even idiolectal usage is a social or group phenomenon because most language involves a communicative intent.

Identity, the individual and the group However, the importance of language at the group level is much more evident than that. However, the importance of language at the group level is much more evident than that. Examples of different linguistic factors which mark identity? Examples of different linguistic factors which mark identity?

Identity, the individual and the group So, besides our uniquely personal sense of self, we also have social identities based on the various groups to which we belong. So, besides our uniquely personal sense of self, we also have social identities based on the various groups to which we belong.

Language and Circumstance Speech mobility: everyone possesses a range of speaking styles. Speech mobility: everyone possesses a range of speaking styles. Bi-dialectalism and accent and style variations exist along a continuum. Bi-dialectalism and accent and style variations exist along a continuum. Style: what is style? Style: what is style?

Stylistic variation: Martin Joos (1967) Five distinct styles of English usage: frozen, formal, consultative, casual, intimate Five distinct styles of English usage: frozen, formal, consultative, casual, intimate Attempts to illustrate that all ordinary speakers have a range of possibilities in their linguistic repertoire. Attempts to illustrate that all ordinary speakers have a range of possibilities in their linguistic repertoire. They pick and choose from this according to their sense of occasion They pick and choose from this according to their sense of occasion

Speech accommodation If context determines linguistic choice, equally, language choice can affect the social- psychological situation. If context determines linguistic choice, equally, language choice can affect the social- psychological situation. e.g. Giles and Coupland, 1991: language accommodation model e.g. Giles and Coupland, 1991: language accommodation model Takes into account psychological position of speakers as well as listeners. Takes into account psychological position of speakers as well as listeners.

Speech accommodation (1) speakers may not be ‘consciously aware’ of their accommodative intent. (1) speakers may not be ‘consciously aware’ of their accommodative intent. (2) not just a desire for approval which may be behind speech accommodation. (2) not just a desire for approval which may be behind speech accommodation. (3) convergent accommodation does not always produce the desired effect – it does not invariably lead to social approval. (3) convergent accommodation does not always produce the desired effect – it does not invariably lead to social approval.

Speech accommodations can be seen as identity adjustments. Speech accommodations can be seen as identity adjustments.