Intersecting identities in minority-language contexts: LGBTQ+ speakers of Welsh

Morris, Jonathan; Parker, Samuel

Abstract

A growing body of work on the experiences of minority-language speakers has focused on the experiences of those with intersecting linguistic identities in navigating their position among the wider minority-language community (e.g. Hornsby & Vigers 2018; Selleck 2013). Specifically, the focus has been on the experiences of ‘new speakers’ who are both minority-language speakers but may also be a minority within this group. It has been shown that such speakers may struggle to feel like legitimate members of the minority-language community or be perceived to lack authenticity (Hornsby & Vigers 2018).
There has been less work among other groups who have intersecting minoritised identities which transcend language. In this chapter, we aim to address this gap by investigating the experiences of LGBTQ+ speakers of the Welsh language in Wales. Specifically, we aim to ascertain how LGBTQ+ speakers of Welsh view their Welsh-speaking and their LGBTQ+ identities, and the extent to which these identities are seen to intersect.
Semi-structured interviews were undertaken with eight adults who self-identify as LGBTQ+ and Welsh-speaking. The questions focused on participants’ orientations towards their identities and their experiences of acceptance and legitimacy in both the LGBTQ+ and Welsh-speaking communities. Data were analysed thematically.
We present three themes which centred on (1) traditional values and rurality, (2) English as the language of LGBTQ+, and (3) representation in the Welsh-speaking community. We discuss the results with reference to minority language maintenance and revitalisation, and highlight avenues for future research.

• Publication Date: 2024-12
• Deposit Date: May 3, 2024
• Publisher: Cambridge University Press
• Series Title: Cambridge Elements in Language, Gender and Sexuality
• Book Title: Queering Language Revitalisation: Navigating Identity and Inclusion among Queer Speakers of Minority Languages
• ISBN: 9781009591027
• Public URL: https://uwe-repository.worktribe.com/output/11930443
• Publisher URL: https://www.cambridge.org/gb/universitypress/subjects/languages-linguistics/sociolinguistics/queering-language-revitalisation-navigating-identity-and-inclusion-among-queer-speakers-minority-languages?format=HB
• Contract Date: Mar 16, 2024