Racial identity and language: exploring the Afro-Brazilian experience through the lens of DuBois’ double consciousness theory

ABSTRACT

Although W.E.B. Du Bois’ impact on race theory is well-known among social scientists; his work is not widely incorporated into the sociolinguistic canon on racial identity through language. Moreover, one pervasive feature in sociolinguistic discourses is the paucity of literature exploring the Afro-Portuguese language. In addressing these shortcomings, we utilise Du Bois’ double consciousness theory and the raciolinguistic perspective to discuss the process of racial identity experienced by Afro-Brazilians. DuBois’ work demonstrates that context and standpoint theorising provides a deeper understanding of racial identity. This paper explores the dyadic relationship formed between linguistics and racial identity through the lens of Du Bois’ double consciousness. This sets the benchmark for double linguistic consciousness in which this article explains is the awareness of self is understood not only by race but also by language. The aim is to add to the racializing discourse by exploring the connection between the racialisation process for blacks and the racial significance of language.

KEYWORDS:

• Afro-Brazilian
• sociolinguistics
• double-consciousness
• race
• racial identity

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).