Narratives of Immigration and Language Loss

Lessons from the German American Midwest

Nonfiction, Reference & Language, Language Arts, Linguistics, Education & Teaching, History
Cover of the book Narratives of Immigration and Language Loss by Maris R. Thompson, Lexington Books
View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart
Author: Maris R. Thompson ISBN: 9781498533812
Publisher: Lexington Books Publication: December 27, 2017
Imprint: Lexington Books Language: English
Author: Maris R. Thompson
ISBN: 9781498533812
Publisher: Lexington Books
Publication: December 27, 2017
Imprint: Lexington Books
Language: English

This book examines narratives of anti-German sentiment and language loss from German American communities in southwestern, Illinois. During World War I and II, government sponsored Americanization campaigns brought an abrupt end to German speaking practices in many communities across the Midwest. The narratives and the sociolinguistic practices around their telling detail the experiences of people who were singled out because of their ethnicity and bilingualism and the consequences these experiences had for their families. This work considers how contexts of discrimination informed constructions of the past that people could live with and the impact of these contexts on their beliefs about language and belonging. In addition to stories of past experience, this work also explores narratives of the present. New immigrants are moving to the region for work in local industries and their presence is regarded cautiously by German origin residents. Narrative constructions about new immigrants are considered in light of these shifting demographics and local histories of anti-German sentiment with significant implications for the future of social relationships in these communities.

View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart

This book examines narratives of anti-German sentiment and language loss from German American communities in southwestern, Illinois. During World War I and II, government sponsored Americanization campaigns brought an abrupt end to German speaking practices in many communities across the Midwest. The narratives and the sociolinguistic practices around their telling detail the experiences of people who were singled out because of their ethnicity and bilingualism and the consequences these experiences had for their families. This work considers how contexts of discrimination informed constructions of the past that people could live with and the impact of these contexts on their beliefs about language and belonging. In addition to stories of past experience, this work also explores narratives of the present. New immigrants are moving to the region for work in local industries and their presence is regarded cautiously by German origin residents. Narrative constructions about new immigrants are considered in light of these shifting demographics and local histories of anti-German sentiment with significant implications for the future of social relationships in these communities.

More books from Lexington Books

Cover of the book Sri Chaitanya’s Life and Teachings by Maris R. Thompson
Cover of the book Higher Education and Equality of Opportunity by Maris R. Thompson
Cover of the book Roman Philosophy and the Good Life by Maris R. Thompson
Cover of the book From Sign to Symbol by Maris R. Thompson
Cover of the book Education and Technology by Maris R. Thompson
Cover of the book The Experiences of Ghanaian Live-in Caregivers in the United States by Maris R. Thompson
Cover of the book Critical Childhood Studies and the Practice of Interdisciplinarity by Maris R. Thompson
Cover of the book Race and Reconciliation in America by Maris R. Thompson
Cover of the book Japan, Alcoholism, and Masculinity by Maris R. Thompson
Cover of the book Analyzing Strategic Behavior in Business and Economics by Maris R. Thompson
Cover of the book White Middle-Class Men in Rio de Janeiro by Maris R. Thompson
Cover of the book Christians, Free Expression, and the Common Good by Maris R. Thompson
Cover of the book Ecocritical Approaches to Literature in French by Maris R. Thompson
Cover of the book Reading Japan Cool by Maris R. Thompson
Cover of the book Jewish Feminism by Maris R. Thompson
We use our own "cookies" and third party cookies to improve services and to see statistical information. By using this website, you agree to our Privacy Policy