语言与族群——湖南潭溪社区实证研究

Language and Ethnic Groups——A Case Study on the Tanxi Community

在湖南潭溪社区,语言是族群认同与区分的重要标志,与族群的历史紧密联系,附带了族群的情感与尊严。同时,语言之间的界限与语言学分类并不一致,有时只是语言习惯的细微差异,甚至是语言边界的主观建构。通过放大"差异"或者建构"语言边界",民众达到自我归属和区分他者的目的。随着社会情景的变迁,土家语已基本退出潭溪土家族的日常生活,其认同与凝聚功能也趋于消解。

In Tanxi community,language is the important indication of ethnic groups＇ identity and difference.It has close relations with the history of ethnic groups and sticks to the feeling and dignity of them.At the same time,the distinction between language and linguistics categories are not consistent,sometimes only slight differences in linguistic customs,and even the subjective construction language border.By zooming in ＂difference＂ or construct ＂language border＂,people achieve the goal of self-attribution and distinguish them from others.The Tujia language has basically quitted from daily life of the Tujia in Tanxi community in pace with the changes of social circumstances,and its function of identification and unity has been avianized.