Abstract
Analyses of nationalism in nineteenth-century Europe have demonstrated the
importance of language in crystallising group identity. The century witnessed a
continent-wide growth in the idea that language – especially regional linguistic
differences from a hegemonic or imperial state language – could form the basis of a
strong regional, or, latterly, national identity. This article explores the divergent
trajectories which the language question took in Norway and Scotland during this
period, and argues that differences in national identity, caused partly by the two nations’ different constitutional histories, had a considerable impact on the development of Scots and Nynorsk in their respective national contexts.
importance of language in crystallising group identity. The century witnessed a
continent-wide growth in the idea that language – especially regional linguistic
differences from a hegemonic or imperial state language – could form the basis of a
strong regional, or, latterly, national identity. This article explores the divergent
trajectories which the language question took in Norway and Scotland during this
period, and argues that differences in national identity, caused partly by the two nations’ different constitutional histories, had a considerable impact on the development of Scots and Nynorsk in their respective national contexts.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 6-42 |
Number of pages | 26 |
Journal | Scandinavica |
Volume | 55 |
Issue number | 2 |
Publication status | Published - 21 Dec 2016 |
Keywords
- Scots
- Nyorsk
- Scotland
- Norway
- Class
- Nationalism