STANDARDIZED LANGUAGE AS A WAY TO SUPPORT A COMMON IDENTITY: THE CASE OF ROMA COMMUNITIES

JoLIE 1/2008

STANDARDIZED LANGUAGE AS A WAY TO SUPPORT A COMMON IDENTITY: THE CASE OF ROMA COMMUNITIES

Andrea Boscoboinik

University of Fribourg, Switzerland

Abstract

This paper analyses the case of Roma communities in some East and Central European countries concerning language standardization. While the different Roma groups speak different Romani dialects, Roma elite members and activists consider a standardized language as a key issue in defending and supporting the cohesion of a Roma united ethnic group. The already ancient equation one people = one language is updated to support their aspiration of being recognized as a nation without territory.

Key words: Roma communities; Standardized language; Ethnicity; Nationalist theories.

References

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How to cite this article: Boscoboinik, A. (2008). Standardized language as a way to support a common identity: the case of Roma communities. Journal of Linguistic and Intercultural Education – JoLIE, 1, 7-14. DOI: https://doi.org/10.29302/jolie.2008.1.1

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