Lecture | This Time For Africa! series
Egyptian Diaspora in Paris – Between the Language and Resistance
- Date
- Friday 25 October 2024
- Time
- Serie
- This Time for Africa! series
- Address
-
Lipsius
Cleveringaplaats 1
2311 BD Leiden - Room
- 1.18
Abstract
This presentation delves into the intricate dynamics of language accommodation within the Egyptian diaspora residing in Paris, amidst the predominantly Maghrebi Arab community comprising Algerians and Tunisians. The study foregrounds the struggle of Egyptian Arabic to maintain its prestigious status against the backdrop of Maghrebi Arabic's majority presence. Through an analysis of metacomments and perspectives from recent Egyptian immigrants, this research explores their views on linguistic changes and cultural identity in the western context, particularly Paris.
Focusing on three distinct dialects—Egyptian, Algerian, and Tunisian—the study examines how new Egyptian immigrants adapt to the established Maghrebi diaspora. This linguistic interaction is analyzed through the dual lenses of accommodation and resistance, highlighting the tensions between a pan-Arabic identity and the assertion of national identities within the diaspora. The research uncovers the nuanced ways in which language functions as a tool for both integration and differentiation, reflecting broader socio-cultural and identity-related negotiations.
Key findings reveal that while there is a tendency among Egyptians to accommodate certain linguistic features of Maghrebi Arabic for social cohesion, there is also a conscious effort to preserve their linguistic heritage as a marker of cultural prestige. This dual approach underscores the complex interplay between maintaining one's linguistic identity and adapting to a new socio linguistic environment.
By presenting the metacomments of the Egyptian diaspora, this study offers insights into their perceptions of language changes and the significance they attach to Arabic and other languages in the context of their lived experiences in Paris. This presentation contributes to the broader discourse on language accommodation, identity, and diaspora studies, providing a deeper understanding of how immigrant communities navigate linguistic diversity and cultural integration in the West.