A Study of the Linguistic Representations of German Descendants in Niterói
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.17851/2237-2083.34.1.271-290Keywords:
Language representation, German immigration in Niterói, identityAbstract
This study investigates the linguistic representations of descendants of German immigrants in the municipality of Niterói, examining how these individuals construct, interpret, and ascribe value to the German language in contemporary contexts. The research is situated within the field of contact sociolinguistics and draws on a historical overview of German immigration to Brazil (Bezerra, 2015; Lang, 2002). The theoretical framework mobilizes the concept of linguistic representation, discussed by authors such as Petitjean (2009), Gueunier (2003), and Calvet (1998), emphasizing the symbolic and social dimensions of linguistic perceptions. Methodologically, the study adopts a qualitative approach based on semi-structured sociolinguistic interviews conducted with twelve descendants of Germans residing in Niterói. The results indicate a predominantly distant relationship with the German language and culture, marked by intergenerational language loss, limited contact with relatives in Europe, and a cultural disconnection reinforced by factors such as linguistic barriers and economic constraints. Nevertheless, participants expressed a strong desire to preserve family memory, as well as a symbolic appreciation of their German heritage. The analysis highlights how linguistic representations articulate identity, memory, and belonging, revealing tensions between cultural heritage and linguistic assimilation in the Brazilian context.
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