Xians via Yish? Language attitudes and cultural identities on Britain's Celtic periphery

Dunmore, S. (2011) Xians via Yish? Language attitudes and cultural identities on Britain's Celtic periphery. Cornish Studies, 19(1), pp. 60-83. (doi: 10.1386/corn.19.1.60_1)

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Abstract

This paper is based on a study conducted in 2007 and examines the varying degrees to which the Welsh, Scottish Gaelic (henceforward ‘Gaelic’) and Cornish languages are regarded as symbols of minority identity in twenty-first century Britain. In order to quantify this tripartite comparison, questionnaires were used to measure the identities, language abilities and language attitudes of young people in full-time education at schools in Ceredigion, the western Highlands and west Cornwall. The first section of the article introduces the theoretical context and provides an analysis of existing literature on attitudes to Welsh, Gaelic and Cornish, and on the role of these ‘Xish’ minority languages in the expression of ‘Xian’ cultural identities in each context. The second section outlines the methodology employed and assesses the roles assigned to Welsh, Gaelic and Cornish in the construction of identities by students in each of the three locations.

Item Type:Articles
Status:Published
Refereed:Yes
Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID:Dunmore, Dr Stuart
Authors: Dunmore, S.
College/School:College of Arts & Humanities > School of Modern Languages and Cultures > Hispanic Studies
Journal Name:Cornish Studies
Publisher:Intellect
ISSN:1352-271X
ISSN (Online):2053-9363
Copyright Holders:Copyright © 2011 Intellect
First Published:First published in Cornish Studies 19(1): 60-83
Publisher Policy:Reproduced in accordance with the publisher copyright policy

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