Ethnolinguistic group

An ethnolinguistic group (or ethno-linguistic group) is a group that is unified by both a common ethnicity and language. Most ethnic groups share a first language.[1][2] However, "ethnolinguistic" is often used to emphasise that language is a major basis for the ethnic group, especially in regard to its neighbours.[1]

A central concept in the linguistic study of ethnolinguistic groups is ethnolinguistic vitality, the ability of the group's language and ethnicity to sustain themselves.[3] An ethnolinguistic group that lacks such vitality is unlikely to survive as a distinct entity. Factors that influence the ethnolinguistic vitality are demographics, institutional control and status (including language planning factors).[4]

  1. ^ a b Fishman, Joshua A.; García, Ofelia (2010). Handbook of Language and Ethnic Identity. Oxford University Press. p. 12. ISBN 9780195374926. Archived from the original on 2023-06-30. Retrieved 2023-06-30.
  2. ^ Holloman, Regina E.; Arutiunov, Serghei A. (1978-01-01). Perspectives on Ethnicity. Walter de Gruyter. p. 244. ISBN 9783110807707. Archived from the original on 2023-06-30. Retrieved 2023-06-30.
  3. ^ Bourhis, R.Y.; Barrette, G. (2006). "Ethnolinguistic Vitality". Encyclopedia of Language & Linguistics. pp. 246–249.
  4. ^ Bourhis, R. Y.; Giles, H.; Rosenthal, D. (1981). "Notes on the construction of a 'subjective vitality questionnaire' for ethnolinguistic groups". Journal of Multilingual and Multicultural Development. 2 (2): 145–155. doi:10.1080/01434632.1981.9994047.