Maintaining linguistic elite closure: the durability of language-based class exclusion in Haiti

Thesis

Linguistic elite closure (LEC) – a sociolinguistic arrangement whereby an elite language or language variety acts as a class marker and barrier to socioeconomic opportunity – represents a particularly pernicious form of linguicism. Distinct from other phenomena such as heritage language revival, regional accentism, or the linguistic hurdles faced by first-generation immigrants, cases of LEC involve a small minority intergenerationally excluding the majority via language. This poses a sociological puzzle, particularly in contexts known for successful popular resistance against oppression, yet where the majority does not mobilize against their linguistic marginalization. Haiti, sometimes referred to as "the linguistic apartheid," represents such a case of largely uncontested and durable LEC. This doctoral project investigates what maintains LEC in Haiti, exploring the issue through a range of theoretical and empirical approaches. As an integrated thesis, it includes three stand-alone papers. The first stand-alone paper consists of an analysis of Haitian language-in-education policy documents, and finds that mischaracterizations of pro-Kreyòl policy, early-exit transitions to French-medium education, and the unrealistic language acquisition target of balanced bilingualism all contribute to LEC Maintenance. The second and third papers use interview data collected in Haiti from both elites and non-elites in early 2022. The second paper, drawing on Bourdieu and Elias, explores how pragmatic and affective aspects of habitus cause non-elite Kreyòl-monolinguals to eschew mother-tongue education. The third paper investigates how the Haitian elite use French as a currency of social esteem, important for both garnering and signaling positive social evaluations. The thesis additionally overviews a range of potential reasons for why French is not spreading, Kreyòl is not rising in status, and stakeholders are not taking action. In addition to these findings, the project contributes both a framework for conceptualizing LEC and insight into the role of language in the mutually reinforcing relationship between individual and society.

Authors: Frager, WS

• DOI: 10.5287/ora-w4onqepje
• Type of award: DPhil
• Level of award: Doctoral
• Awarding institution: University of Oxford
• Language: English
• Keywords: linguistic elite closure; habitus; social esteem; Elias; Haiti; affect; Bourdieu
• Subjects: Haitian studies; Sociolinguistics; Creolistics; Sociology; Linguistics