The ethnic labelZinjibari: Politics and language choice implications among Swahili speakers in Oman
- Nafla S. Kharusi, Sultan Qaboos University, College of Arts and Social Sciences, Department of English, PO Box 42, Postal code 123, Muscat, Oman Email:nafla{at}squ.edu.om
Abstract
The ethnic labelZinjibari in Omani society has various connotations that depend on who is using the term and about whom it is being used. Through participant observation and within the context of ethnolinguistic identity theory, this qualitative study aims to demonstrate how the labelZinjibari can function as an outgroup or ingroup label, as a mark of solidarity, as a term of prestige or as a slur. It is also proposed that these different connotations influence language choice among Oman’s Swahili speakers.
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