A1 Refereed original research article in a scientific journal

Language and negotiation of identities among young Kurds in Finland




AuthorsMari Toivanen

Publication year2013

Journal: Nordic Journal of Migration Research

Number in series1

Volume3

Issue1

First page 27

Last page35

ISSN1799-649X

DOIhttps://doi.org/10.2478/v10202-012-0010-z


Abstract

This study looks at the role of language in negotiations of identity among a generation of Kurds, who have grown up in Finland. What strategies and emotional attachments does the use of different languages entail? How are identities constructed through linguistic repertoires? The data consists of twenty-three thematic interviews conducted with Kurds from the Kurdistan region of Iran, Iraq and Turkey, as well as observation data. Language seems to form a central component for feeling “Kurdish”. Belonging to Finland is constructed through mastering the Finnish language, whereas identification with “Finnishness” seems to be out of reach due to racialized notions of physical difference. These (non-)belongings are strategically performed and produced by combining multilingual repertoires with culturally justified codes of behavior.



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