Language and Identity in the Context of Conflict: The Case of Ethnolinguistic Communities in South Darfur State

Abstract

Language and Identity in the Context of Conflict: The Case of Ethnolinguistic Communities in South Darfur StateThis study investigate s the pat terns of taking pride in Arab ic and other native languages among the ethnic groups characterised by ethnolinguistic vitality in Nyala and the satellite internally displaced persons‟ camps. The study also look s into how these communities perceived the role their native languages could play in the construction of their ethn ic identities. In addition, factors influencing the construction of ethnic identities were investigated. Data pertaining to language perceptions on identity, and the role of conflict in the process of identity construction were collected. To this end, four tools were employed to collect the data: a thirteen - item questionnaire administered to 711 respondents, 12 focus group discussions held with 112 participants, in - depth interviews with 20 p ersons and participant o bservations. The study came to a number of findings, the most important of which were: (a) the communities investigated were found to have revitalis ed their native languages by taking pride in them in different domains; (b) the re wa s a perceived aversion towards Arabic across the groups studied ; (c) there was a conscious revitalisation of ethnolinguistic identities ; and (d) the current conflict has played a great role in the emergence of revitalised ethnolinguistic identities