Language behaviour and the contributing factors towards it among the Georgian ethnic minorities in Luton

Abstract

This study investigated the Georgian language behaviour and contributing factors to this language behaviour among the Georgian ethnic minorities in Luton (UK). Attention was paid to the following: language choice and code-switching as the language behaviour phenomena in bi-/multilingual context. Research into language behaviour explored age-related behaviour, attitudes towards maintaining the Georgian language, social networks including closest and non-closest ties in the UK and outside the UK, and participants’ perceptions of their identity (ethnicity). Forty-two individuals were approached to participate in this sociolinguistic and partly ethnographic study, employing mixed-methods approach conveyed in the questionnaire, interview and observation data collection formats. The research results indicate consistent links between the language behaviour and contributing factors to the language behaviour – social networks, age, language maintenance and identity. It was found that language choices, as well as code-switching, depend on other factors too, such as their interlocutors, environment, activity, choice of topic, length of utterances, language fluency, which varied across the age groups, hence language choice and code-switching patterns. Language shift was found in a non-indigenous member of the Georgian community. Accommodation took place in the observed interactions whilst participants converged or diverged in their speech. Code-switching instances varied across the age groups with different speakers. It was found that they code-switch either intentionally or spontaneously. Various types of code-alterations were found in participants’ speech, such as inter- and intra-sentential code-switching, and intra-word code-switching. The stronger networks participants had with Georgians, the more they used Georgian. It was evident that participants try to maintain Georgian and preserve their identity through their language, culture and networks and vice versa- maintain their identity and social networks through their language.