How Limiting Linguistic Freedoms Influences the Cultural Adaptation Process: An Analysis of the French Muslim Population

Abstract

This study asserts that when ethnic or minority groups perceive themselves to be under linguistic pressures to conform to the dominant culture and language, they will be less motivated to acculturate to the dominant culture and will have increased resentment toward the dominant culture. A total of 567 first-, second-, and third-generation French Muslims were surveyed to ascertain the Muslim community's perception of French language policies. Aside from revealing a decreased motivation to acculturate and increased resentment toward the dominant culture, the study's results demonstrate the importance of ethnolinguistic vitality in understanding the community's overall refusal to completely adapt to the dominant French culture.

Keywords:

• Acculturation
• Assimilation
• Cultural Adaptation
• Ethnolinguistic Identity Theory
• France
• Islam

I thank Julie Burke, Erin Curran, and the Bowling Green State University Statistical Consulting Center for their helpful comments on previous versions of this manuscript.

Notes

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Additional information

Notes on contributors

Stephen M. Croucher

Stephen M. Croucher (PhD, University of Oklahoma, 2006) is an assistant professor in the Department of Communication at Bowling Green State University.