Linguistic Culture and Essentialism in South Africa

发布者:唐美发布时间:2020-02-24浏览次数:86

Author:

Stephanie Rudwick

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Work Unit:

University of KwaZulu-Natal, Howard College Campus

Issue:

Vol.2 No.1 (Serial No.2) 2008

Page:

149-163

Date:

2008-10-01

Abstract:

This paper explores how language and culture are intertwined and often regarded as “invariable fixed properties” in contemporary South Africa by focusing on one particular indigenous African language group, i.e. isiZulu-speakers. Drawing from general theoretical sociolinguistic approaches to language and culture and considering South Africa’s socio-political history, the paper demonstrates the significance and saliency of Zulu linguistic culture to Zulu people in the post-apartheid state. It is examined, how Zulu linguistic culture is regarded a resource in the isiZulu-speaking community and as one of the most salient tools of in-group identification in the larger contemporary South African society. Zulu people’s culture is profoundly language-embedded and Zulu linguistic culture often based on essentialism.

Key Words:

Linguistic culture, Zulu, essentialism

DOI:

doi:10.26478/ja2008.2.2.9

References:

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