Stephanie Hughes

Bilingualism in North-East France with specific reference to Rhenish Franconian spoken by Moselle Cross-border (or frontier) workers

Introduction

Bilingualism in north-east france with specific reference to rhenish franconian spoken by moselle cross-border (or frontier) workers. Explore bilingualism in North-East France's Moselle region. This study examines Rhenish Franconian use, linguistic identity, and dialect decline among cross-border workers.

Abstract

This chapter examines the phenomena of bilingualism in the contact zone of the Moselle area of North-East France on the border with the Saarland, where cross-border workers negotiate linguistic identity in the context of interaction with German and French. The study presents an extensive historical background and takes up an empirical investigation of this little-known corner of France, in a survey of language use amongst 120 cross-border workers, conducted in 1998. The consequences of mobility in this case are that the respondents do not find themselves in a stable diglossic situation, but rather in a situation of linguistic flux. There are several micro- and macro-level factors which mitigate against use of Rhenish Franconian dialect in daily life, with the result that dialect is not being spoken to the same extent as it was in the past. There has been a significant decline in the number of native speakers and a progressive erosion of the dialect?s underpinning in the community. Hence, this location presents many cultural, social and economic repercussions to be explored. By reporting on the usage of, and attitudes to, the dialect spoken by cross-border workers, the chapter gives a baseline to which future studies may refer in order to track ongoing developments in cross-border workers? use of the Rhenish-Franconian variety within this border region between France and Germany

Review

This chapter offers a valuable examination of bilingualism in the unique contact zone of North-East France, specifically the Moselle area bordering Saarland, focusing on the linguistic experiences of cross-border workers. By addressing the negotiation of linguistic identity between German and French, with particular attention to Rhenish Franconian, the study sheds light on a relatively under-researched region. The integration of an extensive historical background with an empirical investigation promises a robust understanding of the complex sociolinguistic dynamics at play, positioning this work as a significant contribution to the field of border studies and language contact. The research presents compelling findings derived from a 1998 survey of 120 cross-border workers, indicating a situation of "linguistic flux" rather than stable diglossia. This crucial insight highlights the instability of language use in mobile populations. The study meticulously identifies both micro- and macro-level factors contributing to a marked decline in the daily use of Rhenish Franconian, revealing a significant erosion of the dialect's community underpinning and a reduction in its native speakers. This empirical evidence provides a precise snapshot of language shift processes and the challenges faced by minority languages in dynamic border environments. Ultimately, this chapter's exploration of Rhenish Franconian usage and attitudes among cross-border workers carries substantial weight. Beyond documenting linguistic patterns, it underscores the profound cultural, social, and economic repercussions of language change in the region. Critically, the study establishes an invaluable baseline for future research, enabling subsequent investigations to effectively track ongoing developments in the vitality and use of this Rhenish-Franconian variety. Its findings are therefore not only pertinent to sociolinguistics but also offer a critical reference point for policy-makers and scholars concerned with language maintenance and cultural heritage in border regions.

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