Languages, script and national identity. Struggles over linguistic heterogeneity in Switzerland in the nineteenth and twentieth centuries
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Authors
Brühwiler, Ingrid
Author (Corporation)
Publication date
2017
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Type
01A - Journal article
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Parent work
History of Education
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DOI of the original publication
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Volume
46
Issue / Number
3
Pages / Duration
306–323
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Publisher / Publishing institution
Cambridge University Press
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Abstract
For centuries, Switzerland has been a multilingual country (which currently has no less than four official languages.) Furthermore, one of those languages, German, is characterised by bigraphism (i.e. the coexistence of two different type styles). This article discusses the role played by language and writing systems in the great educational scheme that was designed to create a shared national identity among Swiss people – despite the friction caused by cantonal and local idiosyncrasies, different cultural backgrounds, and deep-rooted traditions. It focuses on the timespan from the mid-nineteenth century to the end of the First World War, a period during which nation-states were formed all over Europe. The findings show how language and writing systems were intertwined with local, cantonal and national identities in a state (Switzerland) that had no uniform national language. It was through the use of language and writing that ideas of ‘us’ (herein, the Swiss) and ‘others’ (herein, the non-Swiss) were constructed, disseminated and perpetuated.
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ISBN
ISSN
1748-5959
0018-2680
0018-2680
Language
English
Created during FHNW affiliation
Yes
Strategic action fields FHNW
Publication status
Published
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Peer review of the complete publication
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Citation
Boser Hofmann, L., & Brühwiler, I. (2017). Languages, script and national identity. Struggles over linguistic heterogeneity in Switzerland in the nineteenth and twentieth centuries. History of Education, 46(3), 306–323. https://doi.org/10.1080/0046760X.2016.1267267