The role of Gallo in the identity of Upper-Breton school pupils of the language variety and their parents

Authors

  • John Shaun Nolan University of Limerick Author

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.1558/sols.v2i1.131

Keywords:

Identity, Gallo, Brittany, France, language policy

Abstract

Whilst recent studies have provided pivotal insights into the relationship between Bretons and the principle languages of Brittany, Breton and French, this paper aims to shed light on the relationship between Brittany’s northern French near language (Oïl) variety, Gallo, and the identity of the inhabitants of the territory with which it is historically associated, Upper-Brittany. This is done through questionnaires of both a quantitative and qualitative nature and follow-up interviews with school pupils of Gallo and their parents in 2003 and 2004. Results suggest that although Gallo has been historically subject to a highly negative linguistic culture in both the French and Breton language contexts, for many respondents Gallo is perceived as continuing to play a role in their identity. This role, whilst it is restricted to the Upper-Breton region, tradition, the countryside and the family is of a positive nature for many respondents, but particularly for the younger generation. However, this identity role does not necessarily require it to be spoken and Gallo, which has up to recent years been socially marginalised in favour of Breton and French, may find a place for itself in Brittany’s identity consciousness as an ‘associated language’ to Upper-Breton identity.

Author Biography

  • John Shaun Nolan, University of Limerick

    Shaun Nolan completed a PhD in 2006 at the Department of Languages and Cultural Studies, University of Limerick, Ireland, entitled ‘French language policy and the multilingual challenge, from Maastricht to an enlarged Europe: A study of developments from 1992 to 2004 with particular reference to the case of Gallo’. His current research interests include French language policy for the French-speaking world, Europe and in France itself; the formulation of language diversity policy (primarily in France and in the Francophonie); the investigation of language attitudes in minorised sociolinguistic communities (primarily in France).

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Published

2008-07-25

Issue

Section

Articles

How to Cite

Nolan, J. S. (2008). The role of Gallo in the identity of Upper-Breton school pupils of the language variety and their parents. Sociolinguistic Studies, 2(1), 131-153. https://doi.org/10.1558/sols.v2i1.131