Abstract
This article investigates the complex relationship between ethnic identity construction and language practices in bilingual communities of Central-Eastern Europe. Through ethnographic fieldwork in Hungarian-Romanian and German-Romanian bilingual communities in Transylvania, the study examines how language choice in everyday interactions both reflects and constitutes ethnic identity.
Key Findings
- Language use in bilingual communities is deeply embedded in identity negotiation processes that vary by context
- Code-switching patterns reveal sophisticated strategies for navigating multiple ethnic identities
- Generational differences in language attitudes suggest ongoing shifts in identity construction
- Educational language policies have significant impacts on community language vitality and identity
Methodology
The study employs an ethnographic approach combining participant observation, sociolinguistic interviews, and language diary methods. Fieldwork was conducted over 14 months in three bilingual communities in Transylvania.
Implications
The findings contribute to understanding how linguistic diversity functions in post-socialist contexts and offer insights for language policy development that respects both minority rights and social cohesion.
