Language and the Nation: The Rise of Ethnolinguistic Nationalism and its Consequences for Understanding the Monolingual Paradigm​

My research investigated how anti-immigrant rhetoric is constructed on false beliefs of historical monolingualism that harmfully 'other' ethnolinguistic groups who don't fit within a certain idea of nationhood. I analysed the linguistic construction of nationhood in Anglo-Saxon England, reflecting on how our modern monolingual world contrasts with the linguistic fluidity of ancient societies, and conducted a quantitative corpus linguistics study on the syntactical influence of Latin on Old English. I also considered how this ‘myth of monolingualism’ influences language policy and minority language advocacy in oftentimes harmful ways and recommended solutions for how to productively overcome this influence.​

II found myself extremely interested in how languages become socially, ethnically, and politically coded, and worried about how xenophobic anti-immigrant rhetoric used languages to ‘other’ certain national communities. This attitude wilfully ignores the true nature of languages as fluid, interconnected, and open to all. I hoped to challenge this through my research. In addition, witnessing the current progress that Irish—statistically a minority language in Ireland, is making socially and culturally, I was interested in analysing how multilingual identities are formed and how minority languages are best protected.​

What is the most memorable moment from your Laidlaw scholarship experience so far?

Our residential retreat to Carlingford Adventure Centre! We had a lovely weekend, growing closer as a group and getting to know each other better. After having so many busy Leadership Days, it was nice to be in a more relaxed atmosphere, out with each other having fun in nature. ​

For me, being a Laidlaw Scholar means that you are accepting a responsibility to research in an ethically-minded and socially-conscious way, trying your best to promote a cause that you find inspiring or compelling. It means critiquing both your own efforts and the institutions you benefit from to make sure that what you are doing and how you are doing it is truly meaningful—not just presented as such, so that you can have the best chance at creating a genuine impact through your work.​

Which particular leaders inspire you the most and why?

I’m inspired by local leaders much more than global leaders. I’m inspired seeing friends, other scholars, and fellow students take on leadership roles in our communities and create real, tangible change. Their sincerity, compassion, and willingness to help people in need and support causes that fail to gain enough attention in the dominant political landscape makes me more conscious of how much more I can do myself to take action on the causes that I care about, and to be critical of my own failures to take those actions. It is these people who are actively taking a stand for anti-fascism, climate action, the dignity of homeless people, and the human rights of Palestinians, and it is their actions that I find truly genuine, hopeful, and compelling.​

Through my research, I tried to challenge dominant ideas about ethnolinguistic discrimination, anti-immigrant rhetoric, and minority language advocacy. I’d like to live in a world where xenophobic nationalism can no longer exploit linguistic identities. I’d like to see a reverse in the decline of linguistic diversity globally. More locally, I’d like to see Irish continue it’s cultural and social growth, and I hope that it may become a more significant part of a welcoming and hospitable sense of Irish identity, one that is resistant to being exploited by far-right nationalist discourse. I hope that by amplifying these concerns through my research, the people who are leading the charge to create this future—whether that be through political, artistic, musical, or cultural means, can receive more attention.​

Enjoying spring in Paris on my study abroad semester.​