Comparative Intergroup Relations and Social Incorporation in Two Multilingual Societies: Canada and Switzerland. Occasional Paper No. 95-03.1

• Main Author: Schmid, Carol
• Format: Report
• Language: English
• Published: 01.10.1995
• Subjects: Canada; Contrastive Linguistics; Cultural Context; Ethnicity; Foreign Countries; Intercultural Communication; Language Attitudes; Language Research; Minority Groups; Multilingualism; Nationalism; Social Integration; Social Values; Switzerland; Canada; Switzerland

A study of national identity and social integration in two multilingual societies, Canada and Switzerland, examines the relations between Quebec and anglophone Canada and between French and German Switzerland. First, the historical setting for the emergence of multilingualism is outlined for both countries, and the demography of the major language groups is summarized. Then the role of group attitudes in preserving ethnic and national identity, and the degree to which majority and minority language groups adhere to the same core values, are analyzed. Finally, the relative social and political stability in Switzerland and the more tenuous linguistic equilibrium in Canada are reviewed. It is concluded that attitudinal differences between language groups do not disappear, even in contexts with low intergroup tension, but that mediating factors such as the unity of common political and civic culture in Switzerland affect social integration. Survey data on multiple loyalties, divergence/consensus on political issues and core values, and attitudes toward diversity and multilingualism in each country are appended. Contains 59 references. (MSE)