Abstract
Aoileann Ní Mhurchú and Radhika Natarajan discuss vibrant issues of mono- and multilingualisms in terms of how certain language regimes are linked to a system of belonging in nation states. These regimes are challenged by the practice of migrant or alleged migrant communities. Focusing on the fields of education and cultural practice, both provide deep insights into the contexts of—among others—relationships with indigenous language in Ireland, the German education system in school and adult education, language mixing in Germany and Tamil-speaking women in Germany. Despite the range of contexts analysed, both agree and complement each other, theorising language as highly political and connected to questions of power, belonging and acts. The latter is analysed in its multi-faceted forms, avoiding simplistic binaries, and instead taking into account language practice and policies in their ambiguities and contradictions.
Aoileann Ní Mhurchú and Radhika Natarajan are in conversation with Malte Kleinschmidt
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Notes
- 1.
Under the section ‘Becoming a German citizen by birth’ the Federal Ministry explains what jus soli means: “In addition to the principle of descent, since 1 January 2000, German nationality law also recognizes the principle of birthplace (in Latin: jus soli) for the acquisition of citizenship. According to this principle, children born in Germany to non-German parents may, under certain conditions, acquire German citizenship. At least one of their parents must have been a legal resident of Germany for at least eight years and must have a permanent right of residence at the time of the child’s birth.” (Federal Ministry of the Interior, Building and Community 2021).
- 2.
Saorstát Éireann (The Irish Free State) was founded in 1922. Ireland officially became a republic in 1948. Gaeilge is recognised under the Irish constitution (Bunreacht na hÉireann) as the first official language of the Republic of Ireland, with English being the second official language—although almost all government business and debates are conducted in English.
- 3.
The words for ‘broken’ (briste) and ‘clever’ (cliste) rhyme in Gaeilge. There is some suggestion that this is an old adage (known as a seanfhocail in Gaeilge or Sprichwort in German).
- 4.
Of course, it is also worth noting that this rap song was recorded as part of a school programme in the Republic of Ireland—a workshop programme run by Scoil íosgáin (íosgáin school). This shows how education is a complex space in which dominant ideas about language are both policed as well as challenged.
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Ní Mhurchú, A., Natarajan, R., Kleinschmidt, M. (2022). Monolingual Citizenship? Unequal Multilingualisms and Ambiguous Acts. In: Supik, L., et al. Gender, Race and Inclusive Citizenship. Springer VS, Wiesbaden. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-658-36391-8_13
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