The Role of Language and Identity in Moldova
- Rachel Lowrie, University of Gloucestershire
- Glendinning Lecture Theatre 2D67, UWE Bristol
As with many Eastern European countries, Moldova has been occupied by many other countries in its long and chaotic history of settlement (Reid 2007:315). The result of this is that it has caused the country to gain multiple national and linguistic identities. This micro-study explores how language is influenced by social, economic and cultural factors in Moldova, through the observations I made personally whilst I was there.
To achieve my aims and fulfil a detailed analysis of the role of language and identity in Moldova, I have chosen to use an ethnographic approach. Cameron (2001:54) describes this as when a researcher spends time with subject/s regularly; joins in their activities and talks to them about what they do and why. Tesch (1994) defines this kind of research as a method based upon description and interpretation which is focused on culture and human experience of the ‘life-world’. Ethnographers pay particular attention to cultural language practices and their meaning. For these reasons I have chosen to undertake an ethnographic analysis of the language in Moldova.
The research is split up into sections of discourse, for example ‘advertising’, ‘education’ and ‘graffiti’. This has enabled me to analyse specific smaller areas which can then be related to the topic as a whole. This has also given me the opportunity to make use of all my ethnographic research yet concentrate on the most important parts of my observations.
To achieve my aims and fulfil a detailed analysis of the role of language and identity in Moldova, I have chosen to use an ethnographic approach. Cameron (2001:54) describes this as when a researcher spends time with subject/s regularly; joins in their activities and talks to them about what they do and why. Tesch (1994) defines this kind of research as a method based upon description and interpretation which is focused on culture and human experience of the ‘life-world’. Ethnographers pay particular attention to cultural language practices and their meaning. For these reasons I have chosen to undertake an ethnographic analysis of the language in Moldova.
The research is split up into sections of discourse, for example ‘advertising’, ‘education’ and ‘graffiti’. This has enabled me to analyse specific smaller areas which can then be related to the topic as a whole. This has also given me the opportunity to make use of all my ethnographic research yet concentrate on the most important parts of my observations.