Language-Use as a Theme in German-Language Swiss Literature  

Oleh:

Rash, Felicity

Jenis: Article from Journal - ilmiah internasional
Dalam koleksi: Language and Literature (Full Text & ada di PROQUEST) vol. 9 no. 4 (Nov. 2000), page 317–341.
Topik: diglossia; germanophone Swiss fiction; identity; phatic communication; politeness; social class
Fulltext: 317LL94.pdf (91.05KB)

Isi artikel

This article explores the treatment of the theme of language-use in germanophone Swiss fiction.1 I aim to show that the frequency with which this theme manifests itself in literature reflects a widespread interest in linguistic issues on the part of the Germanspeaking Swiss. The views on language expressed by literary characters discussed in this article are, in fact, no different from those voiced by the real-life Swiss – and most Swiss fiction is about Swiss characters. That the germanophone Swiss give so much attention to linguistic issues testifies to their sensitivity to the social function of language-use as well as to their respect for tradition. The ability to use language according to prescribed conventions is seen as more than merely desirable; it is recognized as a vital requirement of social cohesion and national identity. I conclude that the Swiss preoccupation with language has a political dimension. The unique linguistic situation of German-speaking Switzerland – that of a diglossic Germanlanguage community within a multilingual nation – is used by the germanophone Swiss as a means of asserting their individuality among other German-speaking populations.

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