Date of Award
2012
Document Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Bachelors
Department
Humanities
First Advisor
Vesperi, Maria D.
Keywords
Language Ideologies, Dialect, Greek Diaspora
Area of Concentration
Anthropology
Abstract
In Tarpon Springs, a historically Greek-American city in southwest Florida, the community and its use of the Greek language is changing. Competence in the Greek language has declined with successive generations as the children and grandchildren of immigrants adopt English as their primary language. Those who do speak Greek are increasingly rejecting the regional dialects spoken by previous generations in favor of Standard Modern Greek. Many informants attributed these changes to the increased influence of modernity and globalization, which they viewed both positively and negatively. This thesis examines how language ideologies and language use contribute to the construction of ethnic identities.
Recommended Citation
Boyd, Natalie, "The Linguistic Construction of Ethnic Identity in a Greek-American Community" (2012). Theses & ETDs. 4560.
https://digitalcommons.ncf.edu/theses_etds/4560