LR American Ethnologist - February 1994 - SCHIEFFELIN - the real Haitian Creole ideology metalinguistics and orthographic

Introduction to the Article

• Authors: Bambi B. Schieffelin and Rachelle Charlier Doucet

• Focus: Exploration of cultural categories and conceptual logic behind orthography debates regarding Haitian Creole (kreyòl) over the past 50 years.

Overview of Orthographic Debates

• Association with Nation Building: The development of an orthography for kreyòl is not neutral; it reflects political and social contexts.

• Language Transformation: The move from spoken to written forms of language is not merely mechanical but involves meaningful choices about representation.

• Frameworks of Value: These representations are founded on subjective notions of what is significant in Haiti’s linguistic culture.

National and International Identity

• Haitianness Representation: Orthographic debates reveal how speakers define themselves and how they wish to be perceived internationally.

• Political Over Linguistic Factors: Acceptance of a written orthography often based on political motivations rather than purely pedagogical or linguistic criteria.

Symbolic Importance of Kreyòl Orthography

• Linguistic Ideologies: Draws on Silverstein’s idea of language ideologies as systems of beliefs that justify language practices and structures.

• Bridge to Language Politics: Language ideologies connect linguistic structures with social theories, revealing the influence of politics on language use.

Competing Representations and Authenticity

• Enduring Symbol of Identity: Kreyòl is an enduring symbol of Haitian identity but heavily contested across various discourses.

• Metalinguistic Terms: Examines how language variety terms influence orthographic choices and connect to notions of authenticity and legitimacy in Haitian identity.

Conclusion

• Implications for National Identity: The study of orthography debates is significant in understanding how language plays a vital role in the formation of national identity in Haiti, with ongoing tensions around what constitutes authentic kreyòl.