Contesting Stereotypes: Language, Body, and Belonging - Northern and Southern perspectives

Abstract

In this chapter we explore the relationship between language, body, and claims of identity in two very different socio-political contexts: South Africa and Norway. Through literature reviews and a close reading of the linguistic performances and identity negotiations in popular media, we aim to gain deeper insights into the relationship between language and embodiment within the Norwegian context. We focus particularly on contributions involving Norwegians with a recent migration background. This data is juxtaposed with South African insights concerning post-apartheid fluidities that call into question any easy equation of language and dialect with personal and group identities. The juxtaposition of data from such different speech communities as those of Norway and South Africa sheds interesting light on the relationship between language and embodiment.