Language shift in Galicia from a socio-linguistic viewpoint

Abstract

This study deals with the meaning, intensity and reasons behind language shift in Galicia. Change is taken here to mean a conscious, long-lasting act, involving a considerable degree of self-will, continuance and establishment in new language usage. In order to evaluate the direction of change and the extent to which languages are retained and abandoned, a comparison is made between the “first language” variable (the mother tongue) in 16,273 individuals, who have stated that they have changed language, during their lives, and their normal language usage, in the course of obtaining information. This dimension is supplemented by an analysis of language shift within each generation, according to usages at certain stages in life when this phenomenon is most likely to occur. This study also focuses on the causes behind the change in language, their relationship with the first language and the different groups of speakers. Finally, although this study centres on long-lasting language shift, occasional changes are also dealt with —those more related to the situation in which each language is used— in order to give a more detailed view of the subject matter.