Paths to Post-Nationalism: A Critical Ethnography of Language and Identity

Oxford Studies in Sociolinguistics

by Monica Heller

Nationalism informs our ideas about language, culture, identity, nation, and State--ideas that are being challenged by globalization and an emerging new economy. As language, culture, and identity are commodified, multilingualism becomes a factor in the mobility of people, ideas and goods--and in their value.

In Paths to Post-Nationalism , Monica Heller shows how hegemonic discourses of language, identity, and the nation-State are destabilized under new political and economic conditions. These processes, she argues, put us on the path to post-nationalism. Applying a fine-grained ethnographic analysis to the notion of "francophone Canada" from the 1970s to the present, Heller examines sociolinguistic practices in workplaces, schools, community associations, NGOs, State agencies, and sites of tourism and performance across francophone North America and Europe. Her work shows how the tensions of late modernity produce competing visions of social organization and competing sources of legitimacy in attempts to re-imagine--or resist re-imagining--who we are.

Genres: Linguistics

240 pages, Paperback

First published December 7, 2010

Reviews

[Mike Mena · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent linguistic anthropology read - multisited approach to political economy (key word here: POLITICAL ECONOMY) over many years. Excellent.

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting work documenting the discursive shift taking place in the late 20th/early 21st century in francophone Canada. Tailored to an international audience, easily digestible, provides clear and strong arguments that derive from her ethnographic studies across her career.

[Rick · Rating 3 out of 5]

I should've finished this book at least a week ago. Anyway, it's very well written and contains a wealth of information. Of course, I particularly liked the discussion of the role(s) of Canadian French in the development of tourism.