The Discursive Construction of National Identity

by Wodak, Ruth; de Cillia, Rudolf; Reisigl, Martin; Liebhart, Karin

• ISBN13: 9780748637348
• ISBN10: 0748637346
• Edition: 2nd
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2009-01-19
• Publisher: Edinburgh University Press

Summary

Which topics, discursive strategies, and linguistic devices are employed in the construction of national sameness and uniqueness on the one hand and difference to other national collectives on the other? This volume examines European discourses of national identity, paying particular attention to Austria. The authors interpret ongoing transformations of the self and the other through a combination of historical theory and methodology and political science. They consider the rhetorical promotion of national identification and the linguistic construction and reproduction of national difference multiple levels within the nation state. This expanded and revised edition covers the impact of socio-political changes in Austria and in the European Union and the attempt to construct hegemonic national identities.Key Features Discourse-historical approach.Interdisciplinarity (cultural studies, discourse analysis, history, political science).Multi-method, multi-genre.Qualitative case studies.

Author Biography

Ruth Wodak is Distinguished Professor of Discourse Studies at Lancaster University. Rudolf de Cillia is Associate Professor of Applied Linguistics and Second Language Acquisition Research in the Department of Linguistics, University of Vienna. Martin Reisigl is a Lecturer in the Department of Linguistics, University of Vienna. Karin Liebhart is a Lecturer in the Department of Political Science, University of Vienna.

Table of Contents

Preface to the Second, Extended Edition	p. vii
Acknowledgements	p. ix
Introduction	p. 1
The Discursive Construction of National Identity	p. 7
On Austrian Identity: The Scholarly Literature	p. 49
The Public Arena: Commemorative Speeches and Addresses	p. 70
Semi-Public Discussions: The Focus Group Interviews	p. 106
Semi-Private Opinions: The Qualitative Interviews	p. 146
Conclusion: Imagined and Real Identities - the Multiple Faces of the homo nationalis	p. 186
The `Story' Continues: 1995-2008	p. 203
Speeches Studied in Chapter 4	p. 246
Speeches and Interviews Studied in Chapter 8	p. 248
Bibliography	p. 251
Index	p. 269
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