Language and Nationalism

Comparing Flanders and Tanzania

Bibliographic Data

ID6306292
AuthorsJan Blommaert (0000-0002-2474-953X, University of Antwerp, corresponding author)
Year1996
Volume2
Issue2
Pages235-256
Publication date1996-07-01
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueNations and Nationalism (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 1345-5078 • E-ISSN: 1469-8129
PublisherWiley (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1111/j.1354-5078.1996.00235.x
OpenAlexW2037735526
LanguageEN
Citations received22
References cited7

Language is often a central issue in nationalist ideologies. It is seen as a crucial element in the definition of people's identities, and it is often a battlefield for nationalist activities. An analysis of how language is conceptualised and made part of a particular nationalist struggle may yield insights into the ideological structure of this particular nationalism, and thus lead to more refined ways of distinguishing between various types of nationalisms. In this article, a comparison is made between language in Flemish nationalism and in Tanzanian post‐Ujamaa nationalism. In both cases, great emphasis is placed by the nation‐builders on the central role of language in attaining the nationalist goals. However, a comparison of both cases also yields significant differences. The Flemish view of language is predominantly ethnic. Dutch is seen as an inalienable marker of identity, shared with the Dutch people, and creating a fundamental difference with the Walloon Belgians. Also, language is closely associated with the territory on which it is being spoken, which yields a homogeneistic and assimilationist attitude towards speakers of other languages on Flemish temtory. In Tanzania, Swahili is seen as an instrument for attaining a socialist political‐ ideological hegemonisation of the state. Swahili is chosen not for cultural reasons, but because it allows for egalitarian, socialist connotations. Underlying both language ideologies are basic differences in the structure of nationalism in Flanders and Tanzania, Flanders being an example of ethnic nationalism and Tanzania an example of socialist state nationalism

Ethnic group · Ethnic nationalism · Flemish · Ideology · Language shift · Linguistics · Nationalism · Political science · Politics · Sociology · Swahili · Anthropology · Gender Studies · Gender Studies in Language · Law · Linguistics, Language Diversity, and Identity · Multilingual Education and Policy · Philosophy

Tools

Open DOISci-Hub